1300 Chapter 13 - The Area Tradition

The Region

• An area of the earth that displays a distinctive grouping or physical or cultural phenomena
• An area that is functionally united as a single organizational unit
• Used to divide the world into smaller, more easily understood pieces

Regional Concept

• Physical and cultural phenomena are arranged by complex but comprehensible spatial processes

Characteristics of Regions

• Location
• Generally a relative location
• Spatial Extent
• Exist within a definable geographic space
• Boundaries
• The edge of the defined traits of the selected region
• May be zones of transition or precise, linear separations
• Tend to be subjective and even arbitrary
• Formal Regions
• Areas of essential uniformity in one or a limited combination of features
• The largest area over which a valid generalization may be made
• Climate and Culture zones
• Functional Regions
• Areas defined by dynamic interactions and connections
• Areas tend to be subject to rapid and constant change and modification
• Hierarchically Arranged
• Large regions are composed of smaller regions
• “Super-regions” may be called Realms

Perceptual/Popular/Vernacular Regions

• Define a Sense of Place
• Composites of mental maps of people – individuals and groups

Regions in Physical Geography

• Landform Regions
• Tend to be more sharply defined and agreed upon
• Tend to be based upon visible features and changes in the landscape
• Tend to be durable and long-lasting/constant
• Weather and Climate
• Considered an example of a Multifactor Formal Region
• Tend to be dynamic and cyclical

• Natural Resource Regions
• Tend to be sub-surface features
• Three dimensional regions
• Tend to be similar to landform regions
• Heavily subject to human use and modification
• Can become complex Multifactor Functional Regions
• Advances in technology
• Depletion
• Replacement

Regions in the Culture-Environment Tradition

• Creates regions defined by the myriad of human cultural variation and land-use
• Tend to be dynamic and subjective
• Population
• One of the more basic forms of geographic study
• Uses transportation patterns, climate, landforms, political divisions, technological expertise, urbanization, etc…
• Language
• Can be small or large area, single factor regions
• Cognitive or Mental
• Tend to be much less precise and formalized
• Personal views of regions and regionalization
• Individual Activity Areas
• Political
• Tend to be rigidly defined and carefully surveyed
• May be marked on the physical landscape
• Subject to change, negotiation, and dispute
• Relic boundaries

Regions of the Location Tradition

• Focuses more on the interactions of the cultural landscape
• Tend to be Multifactor Functional Regions
• Economic
• Looks at interaction between people, resources, and culture
• Looks at change and trends
• Urban
• Urban Geography and urbanization
• Ecosystems
• Systems Analysis
• Studies the organization, structure, and functional dynamics of an area
• Quantifies the interrelations and interactions between segments
• Human impact on the landscape and environment