FORMAL, FUNCTIONAL AND PERCEPTUAL REGIONS!
Regions
A look inside these regions !
Geographic Regions
FORMAL REGIONS!
Geographers draw formalofregions on the • !!Represent great clusters humankind orbasis of one orcharacteristics more measurable, shared traits that physical distinguish them from the surrounding area. ! • Change over time !!These traits can range from such characteristics of the local population as • May differ income, based onorpoint of view language, religion to such physical characteristics as elevation or climate. ! • Vary in size !!Many physical features, such as valleys, are easy to map as formal regionsby using naturally • Separated from other regions transition occurring zones (see boundaries. next slide). !
Transition Zones
FORMAL REGIONS! • •
•
•
!!Geographers
draw formal regions on the basis Location: a region of one orEdge moreofmeasurable, shared traits that distinguish them from the surrounding area. ! An area of spatial change where peripheries of two adjacent join from such !!These traitsregions can range characteristics of the local population as language, religion to such Marked by aincome, gradualorshift (rather than physical a sharp characteristics as elevationthat or climate. ! break) in the characteristics distinguish neighboring regions !!Many physical features, such as valleys, are easyoftomixed map as formal regions using naturally Area characteristics; possible tension occurring boundaries. ! (cultural groups)
What Defines a Region? FORMAL REGIONS! !!Geographers draw formal regions on the basis Regions are based on Spatial Criteria. of one or more measurable, shared traits that distinguish them from the surrounding area. ! • Location, location, location !!These traits can range from such characteristics of the local population as • Common characteristics language, income, or religion to such physical – characteristics Physical (Natural) as elevation or climate. ! • Climate, landforms, vegetation, river… – MHuman (Cultural) !! any physical features, such as valleys, are easy to map as political, formal regions using naturally • Language, religion, ethnicity, occurring boundaries. ! disease…
FORMALTypes REGIONS!
of Regions
!!Geographers
draw formal regions on the basis of one or more measurable, shared traits that distinguish them from the surrounding area. !
!!These
Formal Region
traits can range from such characteristics of the local population as Region language,Functional income, or religion to such physical characteristics as elevation or climate. !
!!Many
Perceptual Region
physical features, such as valleys, are easy to map as formal regions using naturally occurring boundaries. !
FORMAL REGIONS! !!Geographers
draw formal regions on the basis of one or more measurable, shared traits that distinguish them from the surrounding area. !
!!These
traits can range from such characteristics of the local population as language, income, or religion to such physical characteristics as elevation or climate. !
!!Many
physical features, such as valleys, are easy to map as formal regions using naturally occurring boundaries. !
EXAMPLES OF FORMAL REGIONS! !!States-
Texas, Florida, South Carolina, etc! !!Countries- US, Mexico, Canada, etc! !!Cities- Austin, Dallas, Houston, etc! !!The area of town where the wealthiest people live.! !!The Sahara Desert of Africa.! !!U.S. city where more than 50% of residents speak Spanish.! ** All Formal Regions are based on MEASURABLE data!!!
FORMAL REGION MAP!
http://blog.usa.gov/roller/govgab/resource/images/ntus_map.jpg!
FUNCTIONAL REGIONS! !! Functional
regions are defined by a system of interactions.! !! Picture a bicycle wheel with a central axel in the middle of the wheel, which represents the center of all the activity. The spokes of the wheel represent links to outside areas (the tire) through transportation, communication and trade. ! Transportation, communication and trade reaching outside areas! Center of all activity and beginning of interactions!
Areas receiving the transportation, communication and trade!
EXAMPLES OF FUNCTIONAL REGIONS! !! The
Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area is a functional region in that Dallas and Fort Worth share a common airport located between the two cities.!
AIRPORT!
Statemaster.com!
FUNCTIONAL REGION MAP!
PERCEPTUAL REGIONS! !!A
perceptual region is defined by people’s feelings and attitudes about an area.!
!!Perceptual
regions are more likely than other kinds of regions to change over time.!
!!They
are also frequently based upon stereotypes, as people's definitions of perceptual regions are influenced by travel, media, reading, films, and conversations. !
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN I SAY…! !!Southern !!The !!New !!The
California!
South!
York City!
Middle East!
http://library.thinkquest.org/08aug/01940/Extreme%20Water%20Sport.htm!
news.boisestate.edu!
lodging.uptake.com!
Tajapi.com!
WHAT IS THE PERCEPTION OF THIS MAP?!
http://cartophilia.com/blog/uploaded_images/footballstates.gif!
Now, you try it…. • • • • • • • • •
State of Texas Amazon River Dixie Sun Belt Travis County Country of Brazil The ship channel Aggieland Chinatown
________________ Formal ________________ Func+onal ________________ Perceptual ________________ Perceptual Formal ________________ Formal ________________ Func+onal ________________ Perceptual ________________ ________________ Perceptual
