Defining Regions

“How are areas similar or how are they different?” refers to a region.

Regions usually have more than one characteristic that defines them.

religion states cities Market areas

Types of people

language

Regions are categorized as: formal, functional, and perceptual

School attendance zones

Formal Region: defined by a limited number of related characteristics.

Can you name several examples?

Perceptual Region: You know about where it is, but it doesn’t have any “formal” boundaries.

Can you name a region we all know very well, yet there is no formal street sign?

Who is the mayor of Cypress?

Where do the Cypress city limits start?

A functional region is organized a set of actions and interconnections. Usually characterized with a “hub” and links to that place.

Can you name several “functional” regions that are all around us?

In a nutshell…

Formal regions have official boundaries that people recognize (you get a sign!)

Perceptual regions-everyone know where it is, but there is not official “sign.”

Functional regions are determined by distance. How important are they to people close and far away? Identify the region.

Examples of “perceptual” regions.