Cultural Regions
Language, economics, ethnic heritage, politics, and religion unify and divide people into cultural regions. These regions generally overlap and span national boundaries. For instance, people from completely different parts of the world may feel connected because they speak the same language, or practice the same religion. However, these same cultural characteristics can also create violent conflicts. The perception of a cultural region can change over time. This is often reflected by regional labels and maps. By understanding a region's cultural characteristics, you can better connect with its inhabitants.