Core Unit 2: Regional Geography
Regional Geography asks you to define regions by a criterion, describe them, and explain why some regions prosper while others lag. The exam rewards comparison and explanation using named Irish, European and developing-world regions, not a list of facts about one place.
Rules that decide marks
- A region is an area defined by a chosen characteristic: physical (drainage basin, upland), cultural (language, religion), administrative (county, EU NUTS area) or economic (industrial, peripheral).
- Core regions show high income per capita, a diversified service and quaternary economy, in-migration and strong infrastructure. Peripheral regions show dependence on primary activity, lower GVA per capita, out-migration and weaker accessibility.
- Measure development with GDP/GVA per capita, employment structure, population change and service provision.
- EU cohesion policy (ERDF, Cohesion Fund) targets lagging regions; Ireland's Border, Midlands and West region has been treated as a transition region, while the South and East is closer to the EU average.
- For developing regions, examine colonial legacy, dependence on commodity exports and terms of trade rather than blaming physical geography alone.
Worked example
Explain why the BMW region qualified for higher EU structural funding. Reasoning: GDP per capita below the EU average, heavy dependence on agriculture and small enterprises, peripheral location with poorer road and rail access, and net out-migration of young people. Policy response: structural funds for motorways, broadband, and links between colleges and local firms to attract investment.
Traps that cost marks
- Describing a region without stating the criterion that defines it.
- Confusing "core region" with "capital city".
- Listing statistics instead of explaining change over time.
- No contrasting region for comparison when the question says "contrasting".