SOL 3

1. SOL 3 REGIONS

2. Regions are areas of Earth’s surface that share unifying characteristics.

3. Geographers create and use regions as organizing concepts to simplify the world for study and understanding.

5. Sahara • Desert region in northern Africa • It’s growing due to desertification • Arable to Arid

6. Taiga • Russian word for forest • It is the vegetation usually found in a sub-arctic climate • Evergreen forest

7. Rain Forest • Vegetation often found in tropical, wet climates • The largest one in the world is found in Brazil’s Amazon River Basin

8. Great Plains • An area in the United States & Canada just east of the Rocky Mountains that is a great expanse of flat prairie land

9. Low Countries • Refers to low-lying countries along the deltas of important rivers in Europe, including the Rhine • The countries are the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg

10. Examples of Cultural Regions

11. Language • Latin America – refers to the culture region that includes Mexico and everything south. • Spanish language and Roman Catholic religion is dominant • Francophone World – refers to communities of people & countries that speak French. Ex: obviously, France & Quebec, Canada

12. Ethnic • Chinatowns – an area of a city that has a large Chinese population & represents much of their culture; they are most common in the Untied States & Southeast Asia • Kurdistan – An area in the Middle East that covers parts of Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, & Syria. It is the homeland of the Kurds, an ethnic group of the region that desperately wants their own, independent nation.

13. Religion • Islam – The Middle East • Buddhism – East & Southeast Asia

14. Economic • Wheat Belts – Areas where wheat is a major crop & part of the economy. There is one in the Midwest United States and southwest Australia • European Union (EU) – An organization of European countries created in 1992 by the Maastricht Treaty. Its purpose is to unite Europe and its policies • Cover just about all aspects of country operations including health, economy, defense, etc.

15. Political • North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) – A political organization created in 1949 to encourage unity among nations bordering the Atlantic ocean, particularly in the area of defense • Organization of African Unity (OAU) – A political organization of African nations created in 1963; it became known as the African Unity in 2002. Its purpose was primarily to promote unity among nations of the continent and to encourage liberation movements while removing all colonialism from the continent.

16. Regional labels reflect people’s perceptions of an area Examples • Middle East – refers to southwest Asia, it is a crossroads of 3 continents; Europe, Asia, and Africa • Sun Belt – Southern United States marked by increasing population and a warm climate • Rust Belt – Area in the northeastern Untied States where heavy industry has seen a decline (such as steel) and has resulted in negative effects on the economy and population

17. Cultural Characteristics can LINK or DIVIDE a region!!

18. LANGUAGE

19. Arab Language • The Arab world is united by the Arabic language.

20. Spanish Language • Hispanic America is united by the Spanish language.

21. Portuguese Language • Brazil is different from the rest of South America in that its official language is Portuguese…NOT Spanish!

22. Canada’s Languages • Canada has 2 official languages: English and French. • In Quebec, they speak French • Language divides Canada

23. Switzerland Language • Switzerland has multiple languages and has blended them with little conflict.

24. English Language • English is considered a world language, and most official international business is done in English. Example: treaties

25. Ethnic Heritage

26. There was ethnic conflict in the former Yugoslavia between the Serbs, Croats, Bosnians, and Albanians. They now have individual nations.

27. On the continent of Africa, the countries of Burundi and Rwanda suffer from constant warfare between the Hutus and the Tutsis, two opposing ethnic groups.

28. The Untied States and Switzerland are multiple-ethnicity countries. They have blended these carious ethnic groups, while still maintaining unity.

29. Korea and Japan share a predominantly single ethnicity; however, Koreans are divided by government. North Korea is communist while South Korea is democratic.

30. Religion as a unifying force

31. Judaism • Jews • Synagogue (Temple) • Monotheistic

32. Christianity • Christians • Church • Monotheistic

33. Islam • Muslims • Mosque (Minaret) • Monotheistic

34. Hinduism • Hindus • Temples • Polytheistic

35. Buddhism • Buddhists • Temples • Polytheistic

36. Religion as a divisive force

37. The Hindus and Muslims fight in India and Pakistan over a territory known as Kashmir.

38. The Catholics and Protestants fight in Northern Ireland.(both branches of Christianity)

39. Jews, Christians, and Muslims all claim Jerusalem, Israel as their religious heritage site, which leads to conflict over control of the region.

40. SOL 3 Regions Mrs. Jeffers