Notes from Course These notes include almost all of the lectures throughout the course. There may be two or three notes missing from the odd lecture. However majority of the notes are here.

30032011 124400GG 250 Geography of CanadaCanadas Regions Concepts and ThemesRegional Geography concerned with three thingsDetailed description of regionThe interpretation of distribution patterns patterns associated with one or more selected characteristics which define the regionThe relationships among the characteristics that are within the regionEssentially two basic approaches in Regional GeoFirst is the Regional approachOther is Topical approach A Regional ConceptsWhat is a Regionan area of the earths surface differentiated by one or more features which provide it with internal unity and distinguish it from surrounding areasRegions are therefore human constructs They provide us with meaningful framework A framework we can use to apply to similar features or similar parts of the worldRegions are sufficiently unified We are aware of their distinctive characteristicsWe are also aware of their spatial dissentYou can define a region at different geographical scales Three types of regionsMega regions large sized and applied at the global scale eg A ContinentMeso regions medium sized are applied at the national scale eg Parts of countries like great lakesMicro regions small sized applied at the local scale eg Could be part of a region or city like GTA There are many numerous criteria that can be used to set up the boundaries most common areDefine a region according to physiographical boundaries Eg Rocky mountainsYou can define a region on political boundaries Eg borders of a province Define a region by perception Eg Cottage country which may not mean the same thing to you as othersB Common Characteristics of a RegionThere are FouroAll regions have a location occupy a certain part of earths surfaceoAll regions have area it does not matter how wide or narrow all cover a certain partoAll regions have boundaries they all have limitsoAll regions occupy a position within a hierarchy We can have regions within regions All regions have three basic components1 A core The highest concentration of the distinguishing feature language spoken for eg2 The domain semi peripheral The intensity of the distinguishing feature is less intense than the core 3 The Peripheral Not a clear limit of distinguishing feature Four types of RegionsFormal regions Also known as a uniform region oDefined as an area differentiated by the essential homogeneity of the distinguishing feature Distinguishing feature is entirely absent or entirely present Eg Only French speaking individuals nothing else in the regionoMost formal regions are defined on human characteristics Boundaries of this formal region very rarely coincide with natural regions In terms of boundaries they tend to be very stable for long periods of time Functional Regions oDefined as an area differentiated by linkages intensive interactionsflows among its heterogeneous yet interdependent features which contribute to the activity within it oUsually applied as a spatial system as there are connections and interactions This region will have a core area City region is probably the best example of a functional region such as GTA oBoundaries can be stable but at the same time they can be dynamic There is no guarantee for long term stabilityImposed region