1. Place

2. Place Identification Place Names Site Situation
What makes a “place” unique can also be used to identify the “location.”
Example: The name, site & situation of Nevada can also be used to know where Nevada is located.

3. Place Names Toponym – The name given to a portion of Earth’s surface.
Examples:
United States
Nevada
Reno
Aiea, Hawaii. Only city in U.S. completely spelled with vowels.

4. Site
Site – The physical character of place. People must take into consideration site factors when choosing a settlement.
Site characteristics
Examples:
Climate
Water sources
Topography
Soil
Vegetation
Latitude
Elevation

5. Situation
Situation – The location of a place relative to another place.
Helps us to understand importance
Singapore is important due to the fact it is situated in a major shipping passage in Southeast Asia
Directions
Ex: “Go over the railroad tracks, turn right at the McDonalds, it’s the third house on the right”
How would you describe the situation of Reno?

6. Region
A sense of place

7. Regions and Cultural Landscape
Regions can be defined by attributes of culture such as,
Language
Religion
Economic features such as agriculture and economy
Physical features and climate.
*When you think of “The South” or “Southern States” what come to mind?

8. Online: 6/27/2006 -http://antwrp. gsfc. nasa

9. Regions Larger than a point & smaller than the planet Types
Formal region
Functional region
Vernacular region

10. Formal Region
Formal region – Also known as uniform or homogeneous region; an area in which everyone shares in one or more distinctive characteristics.
Examples:
Montana
American wheat belt
Areas characterized as a predominantly “Republican” or “Democratic” state

11. Functional Region
Functional region – Also known as nodal region; an area organized around a node or focal point.
Examples:
Range of TV station
Circulation of newspaper
Pizza Delivery route

12. Vernacular Region
Vernacular region – Also known as perceptual region; an area that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity.
Examples:
American “South”
How Americans see the rest of the world
How Mr. Lindberg perceives Iowa. Which is why vernacular regions can be dangerous or off base.

13. Mental Map
Without looking at any maps you will draw a map of the Reno area including areas and place of importance to you.

17. Regionalism
A group’s perceived identification with a particular region at any scale.
What words might you use to describe your perception of the Middle East?