1.7 Regional Analysis

Region Types

What is Regional Analysis?

Regional analysis is the study of a specific region or area, with the goal of understanding its characteristics and patterns. This can involve examining the physical, social, economic, and cultural factors that shape the region and the way it functions.

In geography and other social sciences, regional analysis often involves creating maps and other visualizations to represent the data and patterns being studied. These maps may be created at different scales, depending on the focus of the analysis and the data being used. For example, a regional analysis of economic patterns might involve creating maps of income or employment data at the city or county level, while a regional analysis of physical characteristics might involve creating maps of elevation or land cover at the state or country level.

What is Regional Analysis Used For?

Regional analysis can be used for a wide range of purposes, including planning, policy making, and decision making. It is a useful tool for understanding the unique characteristics and patterns of a specific region and for identifying opportunities and challenges in that region.

It is IMPORTANT to note that regions can be recognized on a global, national, or local level. 

Toponyms

Toponyms are place names. They can be the names of countries, states, cities, streets, and other geographical locations. The study of toponyms is called toponymy. Toponyms can be derived from a variety of sources, including the names of indigenous peoples, the names of colonists or settlers, the names of geographical features, and the names of historical or cultural events. Some toponyms are descriptive and reflect the physical or historical characteristics of a place, while others are more arbitrary and have no particular meaning.

Here are a few examples of toponyms:

• New York City - named after the Duke of York, who later became King James II of England
• Mount Everest - named after Sir George Everest, the British Surveyor General of India
• Rio de Janeiro - Portuguese for "River of January," named by Portuguese explorers who discovered the bay on New Year's Day in 1502
• Tokyo - derived from the Japanese words "tō" (meaning "east") and "kyō" (meaning "capital")
• Istanbul - formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, named after Emperor Constantine the Great
• Afghanistan - derived from the Sanskrit word "avagāna," meaning "land of the Afghans"

Site

In human geography, the term "site" is often used to refer to the specific location of a settlement or other human activity. The physical characteristics of a site, such as its topography, climate, and natural resources, can influence the way in which people use and develop the area. For example, a site with a favorable climate and access to water resources may be more attractive for human settlement than a site with a harsh climate and limited resources.

The concept of site can also be used to refer to the cultural, social, and economic factors that shape and are shaped by the location of a settlement or activity. For example, the site of a major city might be influenced by its proximity to transportation networks, its access to natural resources, and its cultural and historical significance. The site of a factory or other industrial facility might be influenced by its proximity to raw materials, transportation, and labor.

Here is an example of site:

• The site of a hydroelectric dam might be a narrow valley with a fast-flowing river, steep cliffs, and access to a road network. The physical characteristics of the site, such as the river and cliffs, are important for the construction and operation of the dam, as they provide the necessary water flow and support for the dam structure. The access to a road network is also important for transporting materials and equipment to the site.

Situation

In human geography, the term "situation" refers to the location of a place or phenomenon in relation to its surroundings. It can include both the physical characteristics of a place, such as its topography, climate, and natural resources, as well as the cultural, social, and economic factors that shape and are shaped by its location.

The situation of a place can influence its function and the way in which it is used. For example, the situation of a city on a major river might make it an important transportation hub, while the situation of a city in a mountainous region might make it a center for tourism. The situation of a place can also be shaped by its history and culture, as well as by larger political and economic forces.

Here is an example of situation:

• The situation of a small village might be in a remote, mountainous region with limited access to transportation and few natural resources. The village might be isolated from major urban centers and have a limited economy based on subsistence farming and forestry. The situation of the village, in a remote and resource-poor region, might influence its development and the way of life of its residents. On the other hand, the village's situation in a mountainous region might also offer opportunities for tourism and outdoor recreation.

The concept of situation is often used in combination with the concept of site to understand the complex factors that influence the location and development of human settlements and activities.

Formal Region

A formal region is a geographical area that is defined by a specific characteristic or set of characteristics that are uniform across the region. Formal regions are often based on physical or cultural features that are easily identifiable and can be clearly defined.

Examples of formal regions include:

• Political regions, such as countries, states, and provinces, which are defined by administrative boundaries
• Statistical regions, such as census tracts, which are defined by specific demographic or economic data
• Climatic regions, such as the Köppen climate classification system, which are defined by temperature and precipitation patterns
• Vegetation regions, such as ecoregions, which are defined by the type and distribution of plant life
• Cultural regions, such as language regions or dialect areas, which are defined by shared cultural characteristics such as language or customs.

Formal regions are often used as a way to organize and study geographical phenomena and to understand patterns and trends within a specific area.

Functional Region

A functional region is a geographical area that is defined by the flow of goods, services, information, or other resources between the places within the region. Unlike a formal region, which is defined by a specific characteristic that is uniform across the region, a functional region is defined by the relationships and connections between the places within the region.

Examples of functional regions include:

• Economic regions, such as a metropolitan area or a trade region, which are defined by the flow of goods, services, and economic activity between the places within the region
• Transportation regions, such as a travel shed or a commuting zone, which are defined by the flow of people or goods between the places within the region
• Communication regions, such as a media market or a news region, which are defined by the flow of information between the places within the region

Functional regions can be thought of as networks or systems, with the places within the region connected by the flows of goods, services, information, or other resources. The concept of a functional region is often used in economic and transportation planning, as well as in the study of social and cultural phenomena.

Vernacular Region

A vernacular region, also known as a perceptual region or a folk region, is a geographical area that is defined by the common perceptions, experiences, and cultural identity of the people who live within the region. Vernacular regions are not based on objective, measurable characteristics, but rather on the subjective experiences and cultural meanings of the people who live within the region.

Vernacular regions often have a strong sense of regional identity and may be marked by distinctive cultural traditions, customs, and ways of life. They can be based on a variety of factors, including geography, history, language, ethnicity, and shared cultural experiences.

Examples of vernacular regions include:

• The American South, which is often defined by its distinctive culture, history, and way of life
• The Rust Belt, a region in the northeastern and midwestern United States that is defined by its industrial history and economic decline
• The Bible Belt, a region in the southern United States that is known for its strong religious traditions

The concept of a vernacular region is often used in cultural geography and the study of regional identity.

Review

Toponym: name given to a place on Earth

• Ex: “The house of 653 Trechdell Dr.”

Site: physical character of a place (climate, water sources, vegetation)

• Ex: On a hill, fertile garden, near a river

Situation: location of a place relative to other places

• Ex: “My house is next to the YMCA and Tusculum Elementary.”

Formal region: area where everyone shares one unique characteristic

• Ex: The characteristic can be a common language, climate, political party Functional region: area organized around a hub

• Ex: The hub can be the center of the city that attracts people

• Ex: Downtown is the hub of most cities

• Ex: TV stations have a main hub where all signals are emitted

Vernacular region: area that emerges from a sense of place, people believe the area exists because of culture

• Ex: Southern USA is a vernacular region
• Ex: People have different definitions of the South including which states are “in the South”
• Ex: Definitions are within the same general area

We’ve laid out the foundation of Human Geography. You’re now ready to go on and explore the rest of the course!

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