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Contributor: Elephango Editors. Lesson ID: 10412
Discover how geography uses regions to organize places and connect people across the globe!
What Do Regions Really Tell Us?
These aren’t just funny sayings. They’re based on how we group areas that share similar traits—what geographers call regions.
Dig into what a region really is—and how it helps us understand the world around us.
Understanding Regions in Geography
A region is an area grouped together because it shares certain features. These features might be natural, like forests or climate, or human, like language, religion, or politics.
Regions help us simplify geography by organizing space into meaningful categories.
Types of Regions
Geographers usually sort regions into three types.
Formal Regions – clearly defined by borders or physical traits.
Examples: the Amazon rainforest, the Sahara desert, the United States
Functional Regions – connected by activity or services.
Examples: a subway system, a school district, a newspaper’s delivery area
Perceptual Regions – based on how people see or feel about a place.
Examples: the South, the Rust Belt, Silicon Valley
The Five U.S. Regions
The United States is commonly divide into five broad regions.
Northeast
Southeast
Midwest
Southwest
West
Each one has a different mix of weather, land, people, and culture. These regional labels help us spot patterns, like where people grow certain crops, where weather tends to be extreme, or where people might speak with a specific accent.
Regions Based on Human Features
Geographers can also group places by cultural traits.
Language: Some regions speak Spanish, French, or Arabic as a first language.
Religion: Certain areas share dominant belief systems, like Christianity, Islam, or Hinduism.
Politics: Voting patterns can create red and blue regions that shift over time.
Food: In some regions, people say “pop,” while others say “soda.” In one place, it’s bagels; in another, it’s biscuits.
Maps showing religion, language, or even preferred soft drink names might seem quirky—but they actually reveal how people group themselves.
Why Regions Matter
Regions help in several ways.
Understanding the big picture
Spotting trends in environment, politics, and culture
Comparing places around the world
Seeing how people adapt to their environment
Even playful maps—like ones made of regional foods—tell stories about where people come from, what they value, and how traditions are passed down.
Now that you've seen how powerful and flexible regions can be, it’s time to test your understanding.
Head to the Got It? section to explore what regions look like in real life—and how they shape the way people live, think, and eat.
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