Regions in Geographic Analysis

What Makes a Region a Region?

Region

• One of the “5 Themes” of geography– Fundamental unit of analysis in geography– Can be large or small

• Area on the Earth’s surface marked by some degree of homogeneity

FORMAL Region

• Common cultural or physical characteristic is UNIFORM throughout– Every place within that region exhibits the

characteristic which makes it a region

• For example:– French speakers– Gobi Desert

FUNCTIONAL Region

• Defined by a particular set of activities or interactions– Often center/periphery

• For example– Commuting areas– Government jurisdictions

PERCEPTUAL Region

• Also known as VERNACULAR

• Regions that exist as conceptualizations or in imaginations– Will often vary by person

• For Example “The South” or “Wild West”