Region A Region is an area with a unique characteristic. The Region concept helps identify what is both unique and common amongst landscapes. Types of Regions Formal Regions Functional Regions Vernacular Regions

Formal and Functional Regions The state of Iowa is an example of a Formal political region- all the citizens of Iowa follow the same set of state laws. The areas of influence of various television stations are examples of Functional regions that work around a node or focal point.

Airline Route Networks Fig. 1-21: Delta Airlines, like many others, has configured its route network in a “hub and spoke” system. Each hub reflects the node of a functional region.

Vernacular Regions Vernacular regions like the “South” are regions that people believe to exist but don’t in a formal manner. In the case of the “South,” a number of factors are often used to define it as a vernacular region, each of which identifies somewhat different boundaries.

What kind of region is this?

Global v. Local Globalization has brought uniformity to many now global cultural characteristics as well as linked disparate economies. Often, global characteristics challenge the existence of local traditions. Distance Decay Space-Time Compression Globalization of Economy Transnational Corporation (TNC) Globalization of Culture

Distance Decay Distance Decay reflects the diminishing in importance and eventual disappearance of a phenomenon with increasing distance from its origin. For example, beyond Oldham County, NOHS Mustangs means less and less to people. Further and further away from the farm and construction zones, Carhart apparel means less. Further away from Cincinnati, the Reds mean less and less.

Space-Time Compression, 1492–1962 Space-Time Compression, which has shrunk the globe through advancements in transportation and communication technology, has challenged the influence of Distance Decay. The times required to cross the Atlantic or orbit the Earth, illustrate how transport improvements have shrunk the world.

Globalization of the Economy The technology behind Space-Time Compression has made the business of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) possible. As a TNC, the Denso corporation is headquartered in Japan, but it has regional headquarters and other facilities in North America and Western Europe. As the Denso Corp. reflects, business is now global. How does it impact local businesses?

Globalization of Culture

Global v. Local Have all elements of culture become global? Does the local sometimes stay the local and resist global challenges?