Glossary
Formal Region
An area defined by a uniform characteristic that is shared throughout, such as a common language, climate, or political boundary.
Example:
All countries within the European Union constitute a formal region based on their shared political and economic agreements.
Functional Region
An area organized around a central node or hub, with its boundaries defined by the flow of goods, services, or information connecting to that center.
Example:
The delivery zone for a major pizza restaurant chain forms a functional region, with all customers receiving service from that central kitchen.
Regional analysis
The study of a specific geographic area to understand its unique characteristics and patterns, considering physical, social, economic, and cultural factors.
Example:
Geographers conducting a regional analysis of the Sahel in Africa might examine its climate, agricultural practices, and migration patterns to understand desertification.
Site
The physical characteristics of a specific place, including its topography, climate, water sources, and vegetation.
Example:
The site of ancient Rome, built on seven hills with access to the Tiber River, provided natural defenses and water.
Situation
A place's location relative to other places, considering its connections to transportation networks, resources, and other settlements.
Example:
Singapore's situation at a major global shipping lane has been crucial to its development as a bustling port city and economic hub.
Toponyms
Place names that often reveal insights into a location's history, culture, or geographical features.
Example:
The toponym 'Salt Lake City' clearly indicates a prominent geographical feature nearby.
Toponymy
The academic study of place names, including their origins, meanings, and evolution over time.
Example:
A historical geographer specializing in toponymy might research how Native American names were replaced or adapted by European settlers in a particular region.
Vernacular Region
An area defined by people's perceptions, cultural identity, and shared sense of place, rather than by formal boundaries or functional connections.
Example:
'The Midwest' in the United States is a vernacular region, understood by many Americans to have a distinct cultural identity, even without precise borders.