Spatial Divisions: Regions

1. Spatial Divisions: Regions • Learning Goal 4: Explain how physical processes & human geographic factors create regions and identify various formal, functional & perceptual regions in the world. • Performance of Understanding: • Students will use maps, charts, etc. to explain the division of land & political units (review LG1notes & activities-student led-give examples). Also, identify what constitutes physical regions vs. human geographic regions. Lastly, describe what is a formal, functional & perceptual regions. Be give examples. • Success Criteria: • Define pertinent vocabulary words • Explain how political boundaries are drawn: man-made vs. natural • Recognize the different levels of political boundaries • Identify physical regions, as well as human regions • Define and identify formal, functional & perceptual

2. Physical Factors Create Regions • A physical region is defined by common landforms, soils, climate, or biome. • Examples include but are not limited to deserts, rainforests, prairies, steeps, mountain ranges, river basins, climate regions, river deltas, archipelagos etc. • Human Factors Create Regions • Regions defined by human geographic characteristics include but are not limited to, culture regions, political units, supranational organizations, trade networks, transportation corridors, etc.

3. Formal Regions • is defined by clear boundaries and a single human or physical geographic characteristic Functional Regions • is defined by a single unifying function and may cross political or physical boundaries Perceptual Regions • is defined by people’s attitudes about a particular place, which may or may not be based on factual information • generally the boundaries are difficult to determine