REGION defined:
A region constitutes an area that shares
similar characteristics – de Blij
 Regions are an artificial construct that
geographers use to divide the world
into sections to be compared or
studied.
http://www.eoearth.org/article/region
Formal or Uniform Region
 Can be defined by physical criteria,
Governmental, or by cultural traits
Functional or Nodal Region
 The product of interaction, of
movement; not necessarily
homogenous, rather the people of the
region function together – politically,
socially, or economically
 Will operate around a node
 The surrounding area of a city
 A newspaper circulation area
Functional Region
 Core area – it characterizing features
are most clearly defined
 Periphery – characteristics become
less prominent toward the region’s
margins
WXII-Greensboro/WinstonSalem
WNCNRaleigh/Durham
WECTWilmington
WYFF Asheville
WCNCCharlotte
NBC Viewing Areas
Newspaper circulation
Perceptual or Vernacular
 Primarily in the minds of people –
how people think about regions
Kuby Activity
 http://bcs.wiley.com/hebcs/Books?action=resource&bcsId=5
266&itemId=0470484799&resourceId
=20033&chapterId=53467
What are some other commonly
perceived vernacular regions?






Midwest,
PA Dutch Country,
Rust belt,
Snow Belt,
Sun Belt,
neighborhood.
1. Nodes, or central points where activities
are coordinated and directed, are a
common characteristic of a
 a. functional culture region
 b. formal culture region
 c. vernacular culture region
 d. multiple-trait area
2. Clearly defined borders are a common
feature of a
 a. functional culture region
 b. formal culture region
 c. vernacular culture region
 d. multiple-trait area
1. Newspaper delivery areas are an example of
which type of region?
 a. formal
b. functional
 c. perceptual
d. graphical
 e. vernacular
2. A vernacular culture region is often considered
to be a region
 a. clearly demarcated on a map
 b. having strong functional and formal features
 c. perceived to exist by its inhabitants
 d. with traditional structural traits
 e. none of the above
Little Italy Definitions- Baltimore, Md
A “Web” definition
“Little Italy” Definition- Baltimore, Md
Sergio’s definition
Sergio’s “Little Italy”
“Little Italy” Definitions--Baltimore, Md
A “Web” definition
Sergio’s definition
FRQ Practice – No Notes
 Define & Give an example of
 Functional Region
 Vernacular Region
 Formal Region