The 17 natural regions of the Earth (and their characteristics)

We analyze the different types of natural regions that exist on our planet.

Do you know what natural regions are? They are geographic zones delimited by a series of parameters, which can be the type of climate, vegetation, relief, etc. There are different types, with very specific characteristics.

In this article we will learn what these regions consist of, what elements make them up and how they can be classified. Specifically, we will talk about 17 natural regions, and we will explain the most relevant characteristics of each of them.

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Natural regions: what are they?

Natural regions are geographical areas delimited by some elements, such as vegetation and climate, as well as by different physical features. In other words, they are units of the territory, which are divided on the basis of certain parameters and criteria. Sometimes, however, delimiting these zones is not so simple.

In this way, natural regions are a way of geographically classifying different areas of the territory.. They allow to divide it according to its relief zones, its vegetation and other ecological and environmental aspects.

Elements

There are different elements that we can find in the natural regions.

1. Ecosystems

Ecosystems are Biological systems formed by two elements: living beings and the natural environment where they live.. All natural regions have certain ecosystems (in fact, they can have more than one).

These can be of different types: jungle, coastal, marine... In addition, ecosystems have intrinsic relationships of dependence between plants and animals that allow coexistence and life.

Fauna

Fauna encompasses all the animal species of a given place (or climate, environment, etc.).. Each natural region has its own fauna. Thus, most natural regions have animals (although some more than others).

Types

Natural regions can be of different typesaccording to the criteria we use to classify them. One of these classifications is the one that divides these regions into the following three subgroups.

1. Climatic regions

They are classified according to their predominant characteristic climate.. In turn, the natural climatic regions are divided into three types of zones (climatic bands):

1.1. warm zones

In the warm zones the predominant climate is a warm climate; they are hot zones, with high and stable temperatures (they vary little). (they vary little). On the other hand, they are characterized by being humid zones. They are located around the Earth's equator, that is, above and below it.

1.2. Temperate zones

Temperate zones have high temperature variationsThe seasons are well differentiated (unlike the previous case). They are located in the south and north of the warm zones.

1.3. Cold zones

Also called polar zones, these are naturally cold regions with low temperatures.. In these zones, winters are long and "harsh". They enjoy few hours of sunshine; this is due to the inclination of the Earth's axis.

2. Orographic regions

The parameter of classification of the orographic regions is the relief.. According to the type of relief, natural regions can be of five types.

2.1. Mountainous regions (mountains)

These are areas with numerous mountains, large mountain ranges and elevated areas. For example: the Andes and the Swiss Alps.

2.2. Plateau regions

These are areas with plains but higher elevations, e.g. the Tibetan plateau.

2.3. Plain regions

These natural regions also present plains, like the previous ones, but of low altitude and long. For example, we find the Venezuelan plains.

2.4. Desert regions (deserts)

These are areas of deserts, with dunes and sandstones. They usually have an intense climate. The deserts are areas with very little water, where it practically does not rain. They are generally hot areas, although there are also cold deserts.

They have little vegetation, as well as few animals that inhabit them. The flora and fauna of deserts are characteristic, so that they can survive in these conditions (e.g. cacti, which store water in their stems, or meerkats, which obtain water from the roots of plants).

2.5. Hill regions

Finally, hilly regions are rather flat areas, with some elevations, but of low altitude.

3. Phytogeographic regions

Finally, natural phytogeographic regions are classified by their predominant vegetation.. These can be of five types, which are described below.

3.1. Forested regions (forests)

These are natural regions where forests (especially high altitude forests) and mountains predominate. They have a great biodiversity. Summers here are usually warm and winters are cold.

Specifically, forests are areas with numerous trees grouped together. There are different types of forests (tropical, boreal...), according to their climate, zone, etc.

3.2. Shrubland regions

These areas are dominated by xerophytic vegetation and thick-leaved green shrubs. Xerophytic vegetation is that which is adapted to the dry climate. On the other hand, there is an abundance of small plants with extensive and deep roots. The typical fauna of the scrubland region is formed by snakes, different reptiles and arachnids.

3.3. Savannah regions (grassland)

Also called grassland region, these are regions with plains, where it rains annually, with an intertropical climate. The vegetation is grassland (also called herbazales); that is to say, herbaceous and dispersed vegetation, with abundant undergrowth. There are few trees. On the other hand, there is an abundance of extensive grasslands of low altitude. The lands are usually not very fertile, with very porous soils.

3.4. Jungle regions (jungles)

These areas have a great biodiversity, and are generally located in the tropics, around the equator. They are tropical rainforests, where it rains frequently. Their temperatures are high and constant, creating a humid environment. Their vegetation is high, very varied and lush.

Rainforests are forests that are usually found in tropical countries; their trees grow together and are very tall. Typical animals are jaguars, caimans and ninja frogs.

3.5. Chaparral Regions

Finally, the natural chaparral regions are sparsely vegetated (and of low altitude). Their characteristic climate is extreme (with very cold winters and very hot and dry summers). Its vegetation is rather sparse; the plants it has are small and short-lived, with deep roots. Its characteristic fauna consists of birds, rodents, lizards and snakes.

4. Hydrographic regions

These natural regions are classified according to their hydrographic regions (hydrographic districts).The hydrographic demarcations refer to the marine and terrestrial zones (basins, groundwater, coast, etc.).

Thus, within the hydrographic regions, there are four types of zones. They are as follows.

4.1. Coastal zones

These are areas surrounded by the sea. They usually have port activity (harbors).

4.2. Lake zones

These natural regions have numerous lakes and lagoons (extensive areas of water).

4.3. Fluvial zones

These are areas with numerous rivers, i.e., with flowing water, in constant movement.

4.4. Mangrove zones

These zones contain mangrove swamps and marshes, i.e., water with a lot of organic matter.

Bibliographic references:

• Máxima, J. (2017). Natural regions. Características.co.

• National Geographic Staff. (2017). Vegetation Region. National Geographic Society.

• Olson, D.M., E. Dinerstein, E.D. Wikramanayake, N.D. Burgess, G.V.N. Powell, E.C. Underwood, J.A. D'amico, I. Itoua, H.E. Strand, J.C. Morrison, C.J. Loucks, T.F. Allnutt, T.H. Ricketts, Y. Kura, J.F. Lamoreux, W.W. Wettengel, P. Hedao, and K.R. Kassem. (2001). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth. BioScience 51(11): 933-938.