There are 3 basic types of region Formal Functional Vernacular

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1 Region A region is any group of places that share at least one similar characteristic. Regions can be any size, and one location can be a part of multiple regions. For example Bahrain is part of the Gulf community, the Middle East, the Arabic speaking world. There are 3 basic types of region Formal Functional Vernacular A formal region is typically defined by a government or administrative group for the purpose of defining boundaries; these can include straightforward political entities. Formal regions are reasonably static. A functional region exists because of a specific function (or action) is present within the spatial area of the region. This form of a region ceases to exist once the relevant function exists. A vernacular region exists based on people s perceptions. What is included in a region of this form, even the existence of the region, may be disputed; for example, the American South or the civilized world. While not subjective, vernacular regions are not wholly objective.

2 Movement Movement is the travel of people, goods or ideas from one location to another. The movement of people, the import and export of goods and mass communication have all played major roles in shaping our world. People everywhere interact. They travel from place to place and they communicate. Humans occupy places unevenly on Earth because of the environment but also because we are social beings. We interact with each other through travel, trade, information flow and political events. Not only do humans move but also ideas move; fashions move; fads move. We live in a global village and a global economy.

3 Place Place is a description of the characteristics that make a certain location distinct. Places have both physical and human characteristics. Every place has a unique combination of physical and human characteristics. For example the Great Pyramid of Giza, in Egypt, has characteristics such as sand, heat and the pyramid. Chichen Itza, in Mexico, also has a large pyramid but also has other features such as lush vegetation and a humid climate. The image that people have of a place is based on the experiences of the individual, both intellectual and emotional. People s descriptions of a place reveal their values, attitudes and perceptions. Physical characteristics include landforms, vegetation and climate. Human characteristics include the culture, economy and government of the people who live there. They also include things like roads, clothing, buildings and food habits.

4 Human-Environment Interaction Human-Environment interaction is the complex interwoven bond between humans and nature. There are 3 key concepts to the human-environment interaction are Humans adapt to the environment Humans modify the environment Humans depend on the environment Examples of human-environment interaction include bridges, dams, the mining industry and any structures built by or destroyed by humans. People depend on the nature for food, water and transportation. They modify the environment by heating and cooling buildings. They adapt to the environment by wearing appropriate clothing for seasons and climate, and building structures that suit the environment. All places have both advantages and disadvantages for human settlement. One person s advantage may be another person s disadvantage. Environment is not just fauna, flora and climate; it can also be a feeling. A city is an environment. Some people like remoteness, others like an urban environment.

5 Location Location is where something is. Location can be either absolute or relative. Absolute location is a geographic coordinate using latitude and longitude to identify a global location, or a street address for a local location. Bahrain is located at 26 N, 50 E, a street address might be, 121 Ring Road, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya. Relative location is the position of something in relation to another place. It is often expressed in the form of directions, such as go 5 miles north and turn left, or relation to a landmark, such as next to the blue building. Although relative location is easy to obtain, the directions often mean nothing to someone who does not know where the starting point is.

6 Location Vocabulary Equator the 0 line of latitude. All lines of latitude run parallel to the Equator, and are numbered either north or south of the Equator. Latitude the imaginary lines that run horizontally around the globe. These lines run from east to west. One degree of latitude is approximately 113 kilometres (70 miles) Longitude the imaginary lines that run vertically around the globe. These lines run from north to south between the north and south poles. The lines of longitude divide the world into segments like an orange, wide near the Equator, but narrow at the poles. North Pole - 90 N the place that all lines of longitude start. Prime Meridian the 0 line of longitude which runs through Greenwich, England. All lines of longitude are numbered in degrees either east or west of the Prime Meridian. The line directly opposite the Prime Meridian is numbered 180. South Pole - 90 S the place that all lines of longitude finish Tropic of Cancer 23.5 N The line where the sun is directly overhead at noon on June 21 (Summer in the northern hemisphere) Tropic of Capricorn 23.5 S The line where the sun is directly overhead at noon on December 21 (Summer in the southern hemisphere)