1.04 notes- regional analysis
region- unifying characteristics or patterns of activities, regional analysis- local, national, global scales
place- combination of physical and human characteristics at a location
site- physical features of a place, living or nonliving (ecosystems, resources, climate)
cultural landscape- way humans use the physical environment, regional studies approach, relates to language, religion, and ethnic makeup
ecumene- areas with permanent human settlements, hospitable
higher elevation levels impact climate and less arable land, precipitation patterns are determined by topography, wind, elevation, seasonal changes
Köppen system divides Earth into 5 climate categories: tropical humid, dry, mild mid-latitude, severe mid-latitude, polar
tropical climates with biodiversity may not suit large populations
slash and burn- deforest area to convert to farms/ranches
zoning regulations- to protect fragile ecosystems
subsistence farming- crops for personal consumption
analysis of standard of living- distribution of resources, gap between rich and poor, availability of clean water, safe food, healthcare
location- specific point on Earth
region- relationships between places with similarities
cultural region- area where people share same culture (history, beliefs, language, religion, food, work), can be large like world region or an ethnic neighborhood, geographically close
boundaries of cultural regions usually don’t line up with national
boundaries are subject to change over time
can be identified by traditions, clothing, or different words for the same concept to classify regions
several countries that border each other or specific areas of land within a country
formal region- defining characteristic is found throughout region, cultural regions are a subset, could be physical or human characteristics, political entities (nationality), economic regions, manufacturing regions, landforms
functional region- linked by activity or functional (transportation/economy), organized around a central point (node), certain phenomena: diseases
perceptual region- determined by mental images of place, association with region, can be feelings/myths, often shows bias