EXPLAIN THE TYPES OF REGIONS.

In lesson 1 you learned about three types of regions; in this lesson we will take a closer look at each.

Functional region: A region that is made up of different places that are linked and function as a unit.

You are probably familiar with many functional regions. Functional regions are often organized around a central point. A shopping center surrounded by neighborhoods is one example of a functional region. Another example is a large city that is connected to the suburbs by a mass transit system. In some ways, the United States and its associated territories work as a functional unit. The forty-eight contiguous states and Alaska, Hawaii, and the US territories (including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as several others) are scattered over a wide area and have different characteristics. However, since they have political and economic ties, they function as a unit in many ways.

Formal region: An area or region with features that make it different from surrounding areas.

Formal regions can be based on just about any feature. Areas including deserts, mountains, or coastlines are all good examples of formal regions. Many other factors can set apart a formal region; for instance, population levels, income levels, and even climate may define a formal region. Industry is another feature that can characterize a formal region. Detroit, Michigan, and its surrounding suburbs rely heavily on the auto industry for employment, while Florida relies on the tourist industry. In both cases the main industry makes the areas unique and sets them apart as formal regions.

Perceptual region: A region that is reflective of human feelings and attitudes.

In the US it is common to use phrases like “back east,” “out west,” “the Midwest,” or “back home.” Although these phrases are common, the way that you interpret them may not be the same way that I would interpret them. For instance, if you happen to live on the East Coast of the US, you probably think of Ohio as being a part of the Midwest; however, if you live on the West Coast you might consider Ohio to be “back east”. Perceptional regions are the way we view the world, and our viewpoint may be very different from someone else's.

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