1
Theme 3: Region
Region – How are places similar or different?
 A region is a group of places with similar features
or characteristics.
 They can be physical/natural characteristics.
List 5 examples
1.
2.
3.
4
5.
Or
 They can be cultural/human characteristics.
List 5 examples
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2
We will classify places with similar characteristics, or
regions, in only two ways…
Physical/Natural
Cultural/Human


climate
(tundra, desert, steppe)
language
(English, French, Spanish)
vegetation
(taiga, rainforest, deciduous)
religion
(Christian, Islam, Hindu)
landforms
(mountains, plains, mesas)
elevation
(low countries, at sea level)
ethnicity
(Asian, Hispanic, Caucasian)
economics
(market, mixed, traditional)
water bodies
politics
(river systems, lakes, oceans) (democracy, communism)
3
Regions
.
Physical Region
Examples:
Cultural Region
Examples:
Language – Latin America
Ethnic –
Religion –
Economic –
Political –
4
Regions
Places united by common characteristics.
Physical Region
Cultural Region
Places united by
common physical
(natural) characteristics.
Places united by common
cultural (human)
characteristics.
Examples:
Sahara
Taiga
Ring of Fire
Deciduous Forest
Redwood Forest
Rainforest
Great Plains
Rocky Mountains
Prairie
Tundra
Everglades
Mojave Desert
Death Valley
Wetlands
Serengeti Plains
Tornado Alley
Examples:
Language – Latin America
Francophone
Arabic World
Ethnic –
Africans, Little Italy
Chinatown, Kurdistan
Religion –
Islamic Community,
Christians, Hindus
Economic –
Rust Belt, Wheat Belt,
EU, OPEC, Bread Basket
Political –
NATO , OAS , AU
5
Identify each of the following regions as a Physical Region or a Cultural Region.
_________________
1.
Rust Belt
_________________
2.
Taiga
_________________
3.
Chinatown
_________________
4.
Wheat Belt
_________________
5.
Serengeti Plain
_________________
6.
Spanish Harlem
_________________
7.
Florida Everglades
_________________
8.
Wetlands
_________________
9.
Organization of American States
_________________
10.
Latin America
_________________
11.
Gobi Desert
_________________
12.
Sun Belt
_________________
13.
Redwood Forests
_________________
14.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
_________________
15.
Tundra
_________________
16.
European Union
_________________
17.
Kurdistan
_________________
18.
Nile River Valley
_________________
19.
Arabic World
_________________
20.
Francophone
6
_
Cultural_____
1.
Rust Belt
___ Physical ____
2.
Taiga
___ Cultural ____
3.
Chinatown
___ Cultural ____
4.
Wheat Belt
____ Physical ____
5.
Serengeti Plain
_____Cultural ___
6.
Spanish Harlem
____ Physical ____
7.
Florida Everglades
____ Physical ____
8.
Wetlands
_____Cultural ___
9.
Organization of American States
_____Cultural __
10.
Latin America
_____ Physical ___
11.
Gobi Desert
_____ Physical ___
12.
Sun Belt
_____ Physical __
13.
Redwood Forests
____ Cultural ___
14.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
______Physical __
15.
Tundra
____ Cultural ___
16.
European Union
_____ Cultural ___
17.
Kurdistan
______Physical __
18.
Nile River Valley
_____ Cultural___
19.
Arabic World
_____ Cultural ___
20.
Francophone
7
? The question of how are places similar seems to create
unity.
Can you think of a few examples?
List a few and explain why.
? The question of how are places different seems to
create tension and/or division.
Can you think of a few examples?
List a few and explain why.
8
Understanding Culture and World Events
1.
List the characteristics or traits of culture.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
2.
Which two culture traits can be the most unifying?
a)
b)
3.
Which two culture traits can be the most divisive?
a)
b)
4.
List two examples of areas where language is a unifying force.
a)
b)
5.
List two examples of areas where language is a divisive force.
a)
b)
6.
List two places where religion is a unifying force and tell what religion ties the two
together.
a)
9
b)
7.
List two areas where religion is a source of tension or conflict and tell what religions
are predominant there.
a)
b)
Understanding Culture and World Events
1.
List the characteristics or traits of culture.
10
a) Language
b) Religion
c) Ethnicity
d) Economic Systems
e) Government
f) Social Groups
2.
Which two culture traits can be the most unifying?
a) Religion
b) Language
3.
Which two culture traits can be the most divisive?
a) Religion
b) Language
4.
List two examples of areas where language is a unifying force.
a) English – “Lingua Franca” of business
b) Francophones
5.
List two examples of areas where language is a divisive force.
a) Quebec (French), Canada (English)
b) Belgium – Flemings and Walloons
6.
List two places where religion is a unifying force and tell what religion ties the two
together.
11
a) Islam – North Africa and Southwest Asia
b) Hindus – India
7.
List two areas where religion is a source of tension or conflict and tell what religions
are predominant there.
a) Ireland and Northern Ireland – Catholic/Protestant
b) Kashmir – Islam (Pakistan) and Hindu (India)
12