Regiones

Regiones, or regions, are defined portions of territory characterized by distinct geographical, cultural, economic, or administrative features. They can be conceptual constructs used to study space, or real entities created by governments or international organizations. In geography, regions are often categorized as formal regions, functional regions, or perceptual (vernacular) regions. Formal regions have boundaries that align with homogeneous attributes such as climate, language, or land cover. Functional regions are organized around a central place and the network of activities linked to it, such as a metropolitan influence zone or a river basin. Perceptual regions reflect how people think about areas, such as the "South" or "Midwest" in various countries.

In governance and planning, regions serve as administrative units, statistical zones, or planning jurisdictions. The precise role and level of autonomy of regions vary by country: some use legally defined regions with elected authorities; others use regions as statistical or planning layers. Internationally, regional classifications such as the European Union's NUTS system provide a standard framework for comparing regions across borders.

Regiones are also used in environmental management and economic development, where regional boundaries align with ecosystems, resource distribution, or economic corridors. Critics note that fixed regional boundaries can oversimplify diversity within regions and fail to capture dynamic socio-economic connections.