REGIONS
9th Grade Social Studies/Geography
Definition
An area or piece of an area,
particularly part of a country or the
world with definable and distinct
attributes but not always fixed
boundaries.
Specific and Complex Examples
United Kingdom:
https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=rNu8XDBSn10
Scandinavia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=TsXMe8H6iyc
Defined
Regions
Regions with fixed and
easily identifiable borders.
In the United States we all live in
three easily identifiable regions
■ Local municipality
– City/Town
■ County
■ State
QUESTIONS SO
FAR??
Turn and Talk: 3-5
Minutes
■ With a partner, come up with
as many types of defined
regions as you can think of
– We do not have to live in
that type of region
Undefined
Regions
■ A region with borders that would be
difficult to draw on a map, may be
different depending on who you ask,
and may shift over time, BUT still has
definable characteristics/attributes
– These types of regions can often
be subjective (based on someone's
own personal feelings)
More on undefined
regions
■ They can be big
– Midwest U.S.
■ They can be small
– Northside EC
Select types of undefined regions
Natural regions
– Regions with
similar plants,
animals,
landscapes,
weather, etc.
Physical
regions –
Places or
geographic
formations that
are near each
other that have
received a
name
Cultural
regions – The
range of a
people with a
common
culture or way
of life
Political
regions – a
type of region
where the
people have a
shared political
identity
Can also be the
name for a type of
defined region
Native regions –
Regions formerly or
currently belonging
to the Native
inhabitants of an
area that have
changed rapidly
since European
Colonization
Other – Almost
anything can
have a region
(ex. Bubbler vs
water fountain
vs drinking
fountain)
Natural Regions
■ “Range” map of giraffes
Physical Region
■ Wisconsin’s Driftless Area
■ Distinct physical geography from the surrounding
landscape
■ Very Hilly
■ Wildcat Mountain State Park
Cultural
Region
■ Can be based on physical
geography (closeness),
language, culture, religion,
etc.
■ Example: Countries by
percentage of Buddhist
population
– Strong concentration in
Southeast Asia.
Political Regions
■ 2018 House Elections
■ Clear and distinct regions of
support for both Democrats
and Republicans
Native Region
■ Have developed over time
■ Were usually not static
before European arrival
■ Eventually signed treaties to
form hard borders
■ Now many live on
reservations
■ Example: Historic Native
regions in WI and current
reservations
Other
■ Almost anything can be a
part of a region
■ Example: Term used to
describe a water fountain (or
your preferred term)
QUESTIONS BEFORE
MOVING ON??
Brainstorming Activity
■ Individually, with a partner, or in
small group of no more than 3
come up with 10 undefined
regions that you/we live in (15
minutes)
– They can be any size, and
essentially any type of region
Mapping Activity
■
Of the 10 regions you just brainstormed, map 5 of them on a paper map
–
Remember to make sure they are clearly labeled and well drawn
–
Your map should be neat, legible, and visually appealing
–
Each mapped region should be distinctly labeled
–
Write 1-2 good short sentences describing each region (can be on
separate sheet)
1.
Grab necessary map(s) from front of classroom
2.
Gather mapping supplies:
Colored pencils
Ruler
Pencil
Etc.
3.
All documents due at end of class