FORMAL, FUNCTIONAL AND
PERCEPTUAL REGIONS!
Regions
A look inside these regions !
Geographic Regions
FORMAL REGIONS!
Geographers
draw
formalofregions
on the
• !!Represent
great
clusters
humankind
orbasis
of one orcharacteristics
more measurable, shared traits that
physical
distinguish them from the surrounding area. !
•  Change over time
!!These traits can range from such
characteristics of the local population as
•  May
differ income,
based onorpoint
of view
language,
religion
to such physical
characteristics as elevation or climate. !
•  Vary in size
!!Many physical features, such as valleys, are
easy to map
as formal
regionsby
using
naturally
•  Separated
from
other regions
transition
occurring
zones
(see boundaries.
next slide). !
Transition Zones
FORMAL REGIONS!
•
•
•
•
!!Geographers
draw formal regions on the basis
Location:
a region
of one orEdge
moreofmeasurable,
shared traits that
distinguish them from the surrounding area. !
An area of spatial change where peripheries of
two
adjacent
join from such
!!These
traitsregions
can range
characteristics of the local population as
language,
religion
to such
Marked
by aincome,
gradualorshift
(rather
than physical
a sharp
characteristics
as elevationthat
or climate.
!
break)
in the characteristics
distinguish
neighboring regions
!!Many physical features, such as valleys, are
easyoftomixed
map as
formal regions
using naturally
Area
characteristics;
possible
tension
occurring
boundaries. !
(cultural
groups)
What Defines a Region?
FORMAL REGIONS!
!!Geographers draw formal regions on the basis
Regions
are based on Spatial Criteria.
of one or more measurable, shared traits that
distinguish them from the surrounding area. !
•  Location, location, location
!!These traits can range from such
characteristics
of the local population as
•  Common
characteristics
language, income, or religion to such physical
– characteristics
Physical (Natural)
as elevation or climate. !
•  Climate, landforms, vegetation, river…
– MHuman
(Cultural)
!!
any physical
features, such as valleys, are
easy
to map as political,
formal regions
using
naturally
•  Language,
religion,
ethnicity,
occurring
boundaries. !
disease…
FORMALTypes
REGIONS!
of Regions
!!Geographers
draw formal regions on the basis
of one or more measurable, shared traits that
distinguish them from the surrounding area. !
!!These
Formal Region
traits can range from such
characteristics of the local population as
Region
language,Functional
income, or religion
to such physical
characteristics as elevation or climate. !
!!Many
Perceptual Region
physical features, such as valleys, are
easy to map as formal regions using naturally
occurring boundaries. !
FORMAL REGIONS!
!!Geographers
draw formal regions on the basis
of one or more measurable, shared traits that
distinguish them from the surrounding area. !
!!These
traits can range from such
characteristics of the local population as
language, income, or religion to such physical
characteristics as elevation or climate. !
!!Many
physical features, such as valleys, are
easy to map as formal regions using naturally
occurring boundaries. !
EXAMPLES OF FORMAL REGIONS!
!!States-
Texas, Florida, South Carolina, etc!
!!Countries- US, Mexico, Canada, etc!
!!Cities- Austin, Dallas, Houston, etc!
!!The area of town where the wealthiest people live.!
!!The Sahara Desert of Africa.!
!!U.S. city where more than 50% of residents speak
Spanish.!
** All Formal Regions are based on MEASURABLE
data!!!
FORMAL REGION MAP!
http://blog.usa.gov/roller/govgab/resource/images/ntus_map.jpg!
FUNCTIONAL REGIONS!
!! Functional
regions are defined by a system of interactions.!
!! Picture a bicycle wheel with a central axel in the middle of
the wheel, which represents the center of all the activity.
The spokes of the wheel represent links to outside areas
(the tire) through transportation, communication and trade. !
Transportation,
communication
and trade reaching
outside areas!
Center of all activity
and beginning of
interactions!
Areas receiving
the transportation,
communication
and trade!
EXAMPLES OF FUNCTIONAL REGIONS!
!! The
Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area is a functional
region in that Dallas and Fort Worth share a common
airport located between the two cities.!
AIRPORT!
Statemaster.com!
FUNCTIONAL REGION MAP!
PERCEPTUAL REGIONS!
!!A
perceptual region is defined by people’s feelings
and attitudes about an area.!
!!Perceptual
regions are more likely than other
kinds of regions to change over time.!
!!They
are also frequently based upon stereotypes,
as people's definitions of perceptual regions are
influenced by travel, media, reading, films, and
conversations. !
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN I
SAY…!
!!Southern
!!The
!!New
!!The
California!
South!
York City!
Middle East!
http://library.thinkquest.org/08aug/01940/Extreme%20Water%20Sport.htm!
news.boisestate.edu!
lodging.uptake.com!
Tajapi.com!
WHAT IS THE PERCEPTION OF THIS
MAP?!
http://cartophilia.com/blog/uploaded_images/footballstates.gif!
Now, you try it…. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
State of Texas Amazon River Dixie Sun Belt Travis County Country of Brazil The ship channel Aggieland Chinatown ________________ Formal ________________ Func+onal ________________ Perceptual ________________ Perceptual Formal ________________ Formal ________________ Func+onal ________________ Perceptual ________________ ________________ Perceptual