Physical regions are typically defined by what?

Physical regions are typically defined by natural features that separate places, such as mountains, rivers, climate zones, and vegetation types. These physical characteristics provide a clear demarcation of space that is often recognized and used by both geographers and the general public to understand the landscape of an area. For instance, a region may be defined by the presence of a mountain range which creates distinct ecological and climatic conditions on either side, influencing the flora, fauna, and human activities within that region.

While human activity and culture can contribute to the way regions are recognized, they are generally categorized into cultural or human regions rather than being a defining characteristic of physical regions. Economic distribution and political boundaries might reflect human organization of space based on governance or resource allocation, but do not inherently relate to the physical landscape itself. Therefore, the essence of a physical region lies in its natural attributes, making the correct identification of these regions crucial for geographic studies and understanding environmental influences on human society.