regiontoregion

Region-to-region is a term used in geography, regional science, and data analysis to describe the relationship or mapping between two geographic or functional regions. It encompasses both spatial relationships—how regions are situated relative to one another—and functional connections such as economic, administrative, or ecological ties. Regions can be geographic, like countries or cities, or functional, such as watershed areas, labor markets, or legislative districts.

In spatial analysis, region-to-region relationships are described using topological predicates such as intersects, contains, within, touches, adjacent to, and disjoint. When modeling maps or performing data joins, analysts may also consider one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many mappings between regions, depending on how boundaries are defined or how data are allocated. Geographical information systems may use formal models like the DE-9IM to specify precise spatial relations between two regions.

Applications of region-to-region analysis are diverse. They include cross-border planning and governance, environmental management and conservation planning, transport and trade flow assessments, public health modeling, and regional economic analysis. Analysts might perform spatial joins, regionalization, or network analyses to quantify connections or allocate resources across regions. Limitations include changes in boundaries over time, differing data resolutions, and the modifiable areal unit problem, which can affect conclusions drawn from region-to-region studies.

See also: Geographic Information Systems, regional planning, spatial analysis, topological relationships, regionalization.