Teilregion

Teilregion is a German term used in geography, regional planning and statistics to describe a territorial unit that forms part of a larger region. The exact definition and boundaries of a Teilregion vary by country, agency, and context; there is no universal legal standard. In practice, a Teilregion is created to reflect functional ties within a region, such as economic links, commuting patterns, infrastructure networks, or cultural-historical connections, and may align with or cut across administrative borders.

The purpose of designating Teilregionen is to facilitate planning, analysis and resource allocation. They can help policymakers tailor programs for local development, transport planning, land use, and statistical reporting. Because boundaries are often drawn for practical reasons rather than as sovereign administrative units, Teilregionen can be revised as conditions change, and some entities may use different criteria or rename them in different projects.

Teilregionen are typically smaller than the parent region but larger than municipalities or districts, though the exact scale varies. They may correspond to unofficial marketing areas or formal planning regions in regional development plans. In statistical and GIS contexts, Teilregionen are treated as spatial units for data aggregation and analysis.

See also: Region, Unterregion, Teilraum, Functional region.