regionY

Regiony, or regions, are defined geographic areas that share one or more common characteristics and are used for analysis, governance, and cultural identification. Boundaries and criteria vary by purpose and scale, making regions a flexible concept rather than a fixed territorial category.

There are several types of regions. Formal regions have explicit borders, such as political or administrative units (countries, states, provinces). Functional regions are organized around a core area and its economic or social connections (a metropolitan area and its hinterland). Vernacular or perceptual regions are defined by people’s sense of place, which can differ between groups.

Delimitation involves data on population, economy, language, or geography, and methods may vary. The choice of scale matters for analysis. The modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) describes how statistical results can change when the same data are aggregated differently.

Regions are used in policy planning, regional development programs, and statistical reporting. They help allocate funds, coordinate infrastructure, and monitor social and economic indicators. Regional identities can influence politics and culture, while cross-border regional initiatives promote cooperation.

Examples include Poland’s voivodeships and European Union NUTS regions (NUTS 2 and 3). In the United States, regions are defined as states and metropolitan areas; in Japan, prefectures serve a regional function. The concept also underpins regionalism and regional planning.