What do I need to know about cultural geography?

Regions are areas of the Earth’s surface, which share unifying characteristics.

Regions can be defined by physical or cultural characteristics.

Cultural Regions Language

o Latin America (Spanish)o Francophone World (French)

Ethnico Chinatownso Kurdistan (region where

Kurdish people live in Iraq, Iran, and Syria

Religiono Islam (Middle East, North

Africa)o Buddhism (Southeast Asia

and parts of East Asia Economic

o Wheat Belto European Union

Politicalo North Atlantic Treaty

Organizationo African Union

Changes in Perceptiono Middle Easto Sun Belt (located in southern

U.S.)o Rust Belt (located in

northeastern United States where steel industries have closed)

Religion as Unifying Force Hinduism – India Buddhism – Southeast Asia Judaism – Israel Christianity – Europe, Latin America Islam – North Africa and Middle East

Religion as Divisive Force Conflicts between Hindus/Muslims

in Pakistan and India Conflicts between Catholics and

Physical Regions Sahara Desert Taiga (coniferous forest located in

Russia) Rainforest (Amazon, Congo) Great Plains (Central U.S.) Low Countries (Netherlands and

Belgium)

Cultural Characteristics Religious buildings

o Mosques – Muslimso Churches – Christianso Synagogues – Jewso Temples/Pagodas

Dwellingso Tiled roofs in Mediterraneano Thatched roofs in Pacific

Islandso Tents and Yurts in Central

and Southwest Asiao Castles in Europe

Language Arab World – Arabic (North Africa

and Middle East) Hispanic America – Spanish Brazil – Portuguese Canada – French/English Switzerland – Multiple languages English – World language

Ethnic Heritage Yugoslavia – Serbs, Croats, Bosnians,

Albanians Burundi and Rwanda – Hutus and

Tutsis United States and Switzerland –

Unity in multiple ethnic countries Korea and Japan – Predominantly

single ethnicity Cyprus – Greeks and Turks

Protestants in Northern Ireland Jews, Christians, and Muslims all

claim Jerusalem as their religious site

Identify the regions in the following maps or identify the pictures.