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Understanding the Three Types of Regions

Defines three region types—formal (areas with shared traits, e.g., U.S. by borders), functional , and perceptual (subjective areas, e.g., “the South”)—with map examples and U.S. economic‐based regional criteria.

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    A. A formal region references a specific area that is distinguishable by a defining characteristic that can be either site (physical) or cultural landscape (human). These formal regions are distinguishable from other types of regions as they have the specific trait that other regions do not have. An example of a formal region would be the country of the United States of America, as the defining characteristic of the area in the United States. B. A functional region is an area where the region is organized around a central point for a specific function/event. To elaborate, in afunctional region, a central point, known as the node connects the region through a certain item. This is commonly seen with transportation systems, such as the interstate systems of America as the region is connected through the various interstate systems. C. A perceptual/vernacular region is classified based on people's ideologies or perspectives of the events. This region is subjective and broad, with people interpreting the region differently. An example of a perceptual region would be the 'Midwest' of the US as the areas that the region consists of are variable by the people. D. Map one is a functional region as it is organized in a specific area by a central point of the Toronto subway system, connected through the various subway routes which are the functions/events. It is functional as it is organized throughout the central point, which defines and connects the events of the routes E. Map two displays a formal region as each region in the country of Australia is defined by a specific characteristic. In this case, the defining characteristic is the climate, which, as shown on the map, is varying to each area geographically. The different zoning of Australia breaks down Australia into different regions, each with a different zone. F. Map three shows a perceptual/vernacular region. This is since it displays an idea of 'the South' to the minds of the people. Rather than citing specific coordinates, by phrasing the South, each person has a varying perception of the South. As this area of the South is perceived differently by everyone, the region of ’the South' is identified as a perceptual region. G. Criteria that you could use to divide the United States into regions would be the main economy of the regions. To elaborate, these formal regions would differentiate from each other based upon the ways that the region's profit, such as agriculturally, industrially, etc. This would be a formal region as the defining characteristic, of their economic base would differentiate the regions from one another.

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