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GEOG 204 LECTURE NOTES, LECTURE 10+, GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY OF THE PRAIRIE REGION CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
GEOG 204 LECTURE NOTES, LECTURE 10+, GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY OF THE PRAIRIE REGION CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
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lOMoAR cPSD| 6353920GEOG 204 LECTURE
NOTES, LECTURE 10+,
GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRAPHY OF THE
PRAIRIE REGION
CONCORDIA
UNIVERSITY
,
, lOMoAR cPSD| 6353920
Geography 204
Key words:
▪ Regional geography:
▪ Region:
▪ Formal region:
▪ Functional region:
▪ Vernacular region:
Study questions:
1. Define the terms region, functional region, formal region and vernacular region. Give an
example from your own experience of each of these types of region.
2. Discuss what is meant by a Prairie "sense of place." Give an example of a prairie
literature, music or culture that you think evokes this prairie sense of place.
3. List three events that have fostered a sense of prairie regionalism.
The Study of Regions
Geography is the study of the Earth's surface and inhabitants, with a focus on spatial
patterns and place-based perspectives. Regional geography is the oldest tradition within the
discipline of geography. Strabo, writing between 8 BC and 18 AD described a geographer as a
person who attempts to describe the parts of the Earth. Strabo’s view of geography was one of
the main models for European Geography until the 17th Century. The study of regions was very
popular right up until WW2 when it declined in favour of more statistical and theoretical
approaches. Regional geography is now experiencing a resurgence of popularity as globalization
makes it increasingly important to understand various parts of the world.
Regional geography provides descriptions and understandings of physical, cultural and
economic landscapes. It is important as well to understand the connections among physical,
cultural and economic landscapes at the local and regional levels, as well as at national and
international levels.
Definitions of "Region"
The Dictionary of Human Geography (2000) defines a region as “a more or less bounded area
possessing some sort of unity or organizing principle(s) that distinguish it from other regions”
(p.687). A region is also defined by (Jordan et al, 1997) as
▪ a grouping of similar places
▪ the functional union of places to form a spatial unit
▪ a natural and organic unity and community of interests that is independent of political and
administrative barriers.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 6353920
Types of Regions
Cultural geographers define the following three types of regions (Jordan et al, 1997):
• formal regions
• functional regions
• vernacular regions.
Formal Regions
The formal region is a thematic region, dominated by a particular characteristic, and relatively
homogeneous throughout with respect to that characteristic.
A formal region can refer to social or natural traits. It could refer to an area inhabited by people
who have one or more traits in common. This would include traits such as language (a dialect
region), politics, religion, social organization, and environment. For example a country where
the population speaks French and the dominant religion is Catholic would be a formal region. It
could also refer to an area with a particular dominant physical trait, such as a forest.
Formal regions are also called Thematic regions.
Functional Regions
A functional region is organized to function politically, socially, or economically. It can also
function ecologically, as a natural system.
The functional region is defined by activities and interactions that occur within it and is
sometimes considered an area with a focal point or node. A watershed is the classic example of
a functional region. A more socially-oriented example could be an agricultural area that
operates as a system of farmers, farm hands, machinery and chemical salesmen, transportation,
and grain buyers.
Functional regions could be provinces, cities, trade areas, or groups of provinces such as the
prairie provinces or the western provinces. The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development
Authority (SREDA) is one of many Regional Economic Development Authorities (REDA’s) in the
province of Saskatchewan. Each REDA has a defined area or region within which it operates.
Functional regions are also called Operational regions.
Vernacular Region
A vernacular region is a region imagined to exist by the people who live there. This imagined
region is perceived as unique based on phenomena such as physical features or on economic,
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