World Regions Map Exam (9/20) *Be able to identify the 12 main world regions. Sub-regions for extra credit. Add Central America & South America as a sub-region of Latin America; add Persian Gulf under Middle East/SW Asia; add New Zealand under Oceania *Know what region major countries are part of. To list of countries, add: Israel

Regions: Geographers divide world into “regions.” A region is an area that shares similar characteristics. Within a regional boundary, there’s @ least 1 thing that’s the same everywhere. (political, economic, social, environmental, cultural). Ex.) “Dixie region” of U.S. (dialect, food, climate) Will learn about types of regions later. Today, *12 main world regions.

What 2 major regions are in the Western Hemisphere What 2 major regions are in the Western Hemisphere? What separates these 2 regions?

Red: North America Border - North of Rio Grande River + Cuba Why divided this way + not by continent? Aka “Anglo” America, why? U.S., Canada, Greenland Greenland physically in N. America, but culturally/politically tied to Europe – Danish colonialism. Discuss boundaries – physical (Rio Grande)

Latin America Green: Latin America (sub- regions: Central America, Caribbean, South America) Not Spanish America – why?

What major regions are in the Eastern Hemisphere? Europe has 2 separate regions. What are they? Why is Europe divided – Western vs. Eastern? Why not 1 region?

Blue: Western Europe examples: France, Germany, UK, Denmark, Spain, etc. Post-WW2, during Cold War (1945-1990), W. Europe more democratic, capitalist, part of NATO (ally of U.S.) NW Europe more developed than SW Europe. Industrialized 1st. Which region in Europe is considered more developed? Why is W. Europe more developed?

Maroon: Eastern Europe ex.) Russia dominates, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, etc. During Cold War, less democratic, communist, WARSAW Pact

Yellow: Siberia (controlled by Russia, part of Asia, rich in natural resources/energy)

Purple: East Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, N + S Korea, etc.) VERY important countries (China/Japan/South Korea/Taiwan are economic powerhouses; Kim Jong Un in N. Korea) East Asia

Green: Central Asia Central Asia

Yellow: South Asia: INDIA pre-WW2, before independence from Britain, whole region was India. Now, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, etc. South Asia

Light maroon = SW Asia / Middle East - Includes Arabia Israel, Iraq, Iran, Persian Gulf etc. MENA (Middle East North Africa) Middle East is vernacular, more formal name is SW Asia Middle East

What 2 major regions are in Africa? Northern Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa What separates them? (hint: physical feature) Sahara desert Being closer to SW Asia, what religion is going to dominate Northern Africa? Islam

Red: North Africa Above Sahara desert Muslim; Lots of trade

Pink = West Africa sub-region of Sub-Saharan Africa Ex.) Nigeria is a country in West Africa West Africa

Green: Central Africa (sub-region of sub-Saharan Africa) (country: Democratic Republic of Congo) Central Africa

Purple: Southern Africa – sub-region of sub-Saharan Africa (South Africa – apartheid; Madagascar, Zimbabwe) Southern Africa

Pink: Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, etc. Southeast Asia

Blue – Oceania (includes Australia, New Zealand, all Pacific island groups)