Spatial Scale and Regions

Spatial Scale Aim: Why are geographers concerned with the concept of spatial scale? Do Now: Review: How did we define ‘map scale’? What does map scale show?

Scale: has two distinct meanings in geography Map Scale: the distance on a map compared to the distance on the Earth Spatial/Territorial Scale: the territorial extent of something – exists on global, regional, local, and individual levels

Spatial Scale 1.Local Scale 2.Regional Scale 3.Global Scale By breaking down scale, geographers can study the same phenomena at different levels Which is the largest scale? Which is the smallest scale?

Local Scale Absolute location Site Situation Provides more detailed, specific information about a place

Regional Scale Formal Region Functional Region Perceptual Region Several neighboring countries or areas that share important features

Global Scale Globalization: interdependence of people all around the world The earth as a whole (common patterns and trends)

Why Scale Matters… Different scales show different patterns Different observations can be made about phenomenon Essentially, looking at things at different scales tells different stories For example, take test scores…

Scale and the AP HuG Exam National scale –The passing rate for this course at a national level was about 52% Local scale –Sewanhaka School District had between 80-86% passing rate Individual scale –You will either pass or fail

Scale Example: China’s Population Fact: China is the most populated country on Earth Examining population at different scales allows us to analyze population on different levels

China’s Population: Regional Variations To the left is a map showing the distribution and density of China's population One tiny dot indicates 50,000 people What conclusions can you draw from this map? Over 90 percent of the Chinese population live on less than 40 percent of the land Most of the population is in the east, along the coast

2 More Examples… Thinking of the examples we just discussed, apply the concept of spatial scale to 2 other examples: 1) politics and 2) poverty

Displaying the same geographical features at various scales may also depict misleading results.

This map shows the total number of African- Americans per state. Examine Georgia..

In the previous slide, Georgia had one of the highest number of African-Americans, but a closer look tells a different picture. The dark red is the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Using Census Tracts of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, a different scale gives different results.

When we talk about regional scale, what do we mean by “region”?

Uniqueness of Region Aim: In what ways can we define a “region” of the world? Do Now: What was the antebellum period?

Regional Concept “A region is the geographer’s equivalent of the historian’s era” What do you think this means?

Region: –An area on Earth defined by one or more distinctive characteristics Most often applied at two scales 1.Spanning political states 2.Constrained within one political state A region derives its unified character through the cultural landscape: combination of cultural, religious, and physical features. –“Culture is the agent, the natural area the medium, the cultural landscape is the result.” – Carl O. Sauer, American Geographer

World Regions (spanning political states) What regions are your assigned countries in? With a partner: Compare and contrast College Board’s regions to your textbook’s (handouts) Why are countries grouped together in a region?

U.S. Regions: Midwest & South (constrained within one political state )

3 types of regions: 1.Formal 2.Functional 3.Perceptual

Formal or Uniform –a homogenous area where all share a common physical or cultural feature, such as language, climate or political system Functional or Nodal –Defined by particular set of activities or interactions that occur within it –Organized around a center, node or focal point –Have a shared political, social, or economical purpose, such as a trade and communication Perceptual or Vernacular –How people think about or perceive a region, such as Midwest, the South, or Chinatown Chicago is a formal region- Yet the commuters and shoppers who circulate daily throughout the city make it a functional region as well.

Formal Functional Perceptual Regions

The state of Iowa is a Formal Region. The colored circles represent the percentage of households served by a TV station and are Functional Regions

This functional regions on this map are based on the linkages between large banks of major central cities and the correspondent banks that they serve in smaller towns.

Other Functional (nodal) Regions:

What type of region?

Cultural Perceptions When you think about the “deep South” what words, phrases, or images come to mind?

The South is popularly distinguished as a distinct vernacular region within the United States, according to a number of factors, such as mild climate, propensity for growing cotton, and importance of the Baptist Church.

The cultural geographer Wilbur Zelinsky identified 12 major perceptual regions of North America. (Notice that there is considerable overlap.)

Formal, Functional, or Perceptual? park space usage class- room seating pizza delivery areas most common with a meal soda bottler- store linkages

What formal, functional, and perceptual regions are we in? FormalFunctionalPerceptual Local scale National scale International scale