Cultural region is a term used mainly in the study of geography. Distinct cultures often do not limit their geographic coverage inside the borders of a nation state, or to smaller subdivisions of a state. To 'map' a culture, we often have to identify an actual 'cultural region', and when we do this we find that it bears little relationship to the legal borders drawn up by custom, treaties, charters or wars. A nation-state is a specific form of state (a political entity), which exists to provide a sovereign territory for a particular nation (a cultural entity), and which derives its legitimacy from that function. ...

There are different kinds of cultural regions that can be delineated. A map of culture that maps 'religion & folklore' may have slightly different shape to one which, in the same region, maps 'dress and architecture'.

A formal cultural region is one in which there is clearly a homogeneous cultural identity on a wide variety of levels. These are often found to map onto specific bioregions, reflecting ancient migrations.

A functional cultural region is one that has been largely brought into being as a function of having a central cultural hub (e.g. a monastery or a TV station).

A vernacular cultural region is that 'mental image' of a region which exists in the minds of outsiders.

An aspirational cultural region is that 'mental image' of a region which exists primarily in the minds of those who would work to create it in the future. For instance, in the nationalist struggles on the Balkan Peninsula under the Ottoman Empire, or in the Jewish diaspora before the creation of Israel, or the Catalan region of Spain. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... now. ... The Jewish diaspora (Hebrew: Tefutzah, scattered, or Galut, exile) is the dispersion of the Jewish people throughout the world. ... Capital Barcelona Official languages Catalan, Spanish, Aranese Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked 6th in Spain  32 114 km²  6,3% Population  â€“ Total (2005)  â€“ % of Spain  â€“ Density Ranked 2nd in Spain  6 995 206  15,9%  217,82/km² GDP Total (2004) GDP: €157,124 billion GDP per /capita: $26,550...

Such regions may expand or contract over time, and cultural values may also shift.

See also:

• Regionalism
• Bioregionalism
• Spirit of place
• Cultural landscape
• Deep map
• Cultural tourism

poo Regionalism is a term in international relations that refers to the expression of a common sense of identity and purpose combined with the creation and implementation of institutions that express that particular identity and shape collection action within a geographical region. ... Bioregional democracy (or the Bioregional State) is a set of environment concerns, e. ... Spirit of place refers to the unique, distinctive and cherished aspects of a place; often those celebrated by artists and writers, but also those cherished in folk tales, festivals and celebrations. ... Cultural landscape is defined as the human-modified environment, including fields, houses, church, highways, planted forests, and mines, as well as weeds and pollution. ... Deep map refers to an emerging practical method of intensive topographical exploration, popularised by author William Least Heat-Moon with his book PrairyErth: A Deep Map. ... Cultural tourism (also culture tourism) is the subset of tourism concerned with a country or regions culture, especially its arts. ...