Regions: Areas of Unique Characteristics
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Transcript Regions: Areas of Unique Characteristics
Cultural Landscape
A combination of cultural features and physical
features
Carl Sauer-an area fashioned from nature by a cultural
group
LA vs. NYC
Formal Region
Uniform or homogeneous region
An area where everyone shares in common one or
more distinctive characteristics
Political Units
Wheat Belt
Climate
Language
Election 2000: Regional
Differences
Fig. 1-10: Presidential election results by county and state illustrate differences in regional
voting patterns.
Functional Region
Nodal region, an area organized around a node or focal
point
The characteristic is predominate at the node and
diminishes in importance outward
Newspaper circulation
TV stations
How could technology be breaking down traditional
functional regions?
Formal and Functional Regions
Fig. 1-11: The state of Iowa is an example of a formal region; the areas of influence of
various television stations are examples of functional regions.
Vernacular Region
Perceptual region, a place that people believe exists as
part of their cultural identity
Mental Map
Vernacular Regions
Fig. 1-12: A number of factors are often used to define the South as a vernacular region, each
of which identifies somewhat different boundaries.
Spatial Association
Regions can be constructed at varying scales
Different conclusions may be reached concerning a
region’s characteristics depending on its scale
Spatial Association at Various Scales
Fig. 1-13: Death rates from cancer in the U.S., Maryland, and Baltimore show
different patterns that can identify associations with different factors.
Cultural Ecology
The study of human-environment relationships
von Humboldt and Ritter: human actions were caused
by environmental conditions
Environmental determinism
This is disputed by some who state the physical
environment may limit some human actions, but
people have ability to adjust to their environment
Possiblism
Environmental Modification in the
Netherlands
Fig. 1-15: Polders and dikes have been used for
extensive environmental modification
in the Netherlands.
Environmental Modification in Florida
Fig. 1-16: Straightening the
Kissimmee River has had many
unintended side effects.