Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What defines a formal region?

1. A region based on personal perceptions

2. A region with consistent cultural or physical attributes

3. A region that experiences significant change

4. A region solely defined by political boundaries

The correct answer is: A region with consistent cultural or physical attributes

A formal region is characterized by areas that share consistent and uniform cultural or physical attributes. This could include shared government, language, climate, landforms, or natural resources. For example, the Midwest of the United States is a formal region due to its common agricultural practices, shared historical background, and specific geographical features like flat terrain and certain climate conditions. In contrast, regions based on personal perceptions are known as vernacular regions and can vary widely from person to person. A region that experiences significant change does not fit the definition of a formal region because the defining characteristics would not remain consistent over time. Meanwhile, regions solely defined by political boundaries, while they may be formal in some context, do not exclusively determine formal regions, as the concept is broader and encompasses cultural and physical traits that may not correlate directly to political divisions.