macroregiões

Macrorregiões (often written macro-regiões) are large-scale geographic units used to organize space, collect comparable data, and support planning and policy at a regional level. They group smaller administrative or geographic entities—such as states, provinces, or districts—into a broader area to facilitate analysis of social, economic, and environmental characteristics. The criteria for defining macrorregiões vary by country and purpose, reflecting geography, population, economy, infrastructure, and ecological features.

In Brazil, macrorregiões are an official geographic division created by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The country is divided into five macrorregiões: North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Center-West. These units are used for statistical reporting, regional development planning, and public policy targeting. Their boundaries are designed to support national-level comparisons and trend analysis, and they do not constitute political jurisdictions.

In the European Union, macro-regional strategies coordinate policy across multiple member states within a transboundary region. Examples include the Danube Macro-Region Strategy and the Baltic Sea Region Strategy. These frameworks bring together regional, national, and EU actors to align efforts in areas such as transport, energy, environment, and research and innovation. They are policy instruments rather than formal administrative divisions, and their impact depends on implementation at local and national levels.

Applications and challenges: macrorregiões enable cross-border analysis and coordinated development but can mask subregional diversity and lead to mismatches with local governance. Definitions and boundaries vary by country and data needs, which can affect comparability.

See also: mesorregião, microrregião, NUTS.