REGION
definition
= an area with common
characteristics that make it different
from surrounding areas
Geographers
ways:
categorize regions in 3
A. formal regions
B. functional regions
C. perceptual/vernacular regions
FORMAL REGION
 Defined
by
government (USA,
Brazil, Texas)
 Or physical features
(Rockies, Great Lake
States)
 Or common
characteristics (Rust
Belt, Corn Belt, Gulf
Coast)
FUCTIONAL REGION
 Made
up of different places that function
together as a unit, such as a metropolitan
area
 Usually characterized by a hub, or central
place, and links to the central place
 Example: Houston, Galveston, Dallas-Fort
Worth
What makes Houston-Galveston
a Functional Region?
Perceptual Regions



Defined by people’s shared
attitudes, culture, and feelings
about an area
People perceive the characteristics
of the region in the same way,
usually (loosely defined)
Examples
The Middle East (what countries are
actually included? Is it linked b/c of
oil? Islam?)
 Bible Belt – southeastern states in
U.S. (usually practice Christianity)
 “The Northeast” (what states are
actually included?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
MJz5S_htXas
Formal Region
Perceptual Region
Functional Region
US Airways Routes
Perceptual Region
Dixie Land