Define the term region. Identify the categories into which regions can be classified. Explain how climate and landscape can be used to define a region.
Define the term administrative region and explain how central and local government is organised in Ireland and France.
Define the term cultural region and discuss the characteristics of regions associated with particular languages or religions in Ireland, Belgium and the Islamic world.
Discuss how language regions in Ireland have changed over time. Discuss the interaction among cultural groups and political regions.
Discuss changes to political boundaries and their impact on cultural groups in Northern Ireland and Poland. Contents
14.1 The concept of a region 14.2 Physical regions 14.3 Administrative regions
Case Studies: Functions of local and central government agencies in Ireland and France
14.4 Cultural regions
Case Studies: Ireland, Belgium, Northern Ireland and the Islamic world
14.5 The complexity of cultural regions – Boundary changes
Case Studies: The Gaeltacht, Northern Ireland, Poland
Questions
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A region is an area of the earth’s surface that is distinctive in some way. Regions can be identified by one or more human and/or natural characteristics, e.g. cultural or landscape. Boundaries of regions can change over time. These changes affect cultural groups. The study of regions illustrates the geographical complexity of the interaction between economic, cultural and physical processes.