<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<p>Regions are main building blocks of larger territorial units, but they also display high dynamics affecting how regional identities can be studied. The regional dynamics and multilayered nature ultimately require new approaches to their visual representation. The goal of this article is to present a novel approach to visual presentation of the administrative regions’ dynamics by cartographic means of representation in a synthetic map that can assist in the research of regional identities. We adopt the theory of the institutionalisation of regions, the administrative division of the state is a process in which the borders and names of regions are constantly transformed causing changes in the perception of the population. Then we analyse the laws on administrative division reforms and old/historical map documents. This enabled us to identify the dynamics of individual borders and names of administrative regions (choronyms) that form spaces with a higher or lower degree of stability. We propose a visualisation approach to represent such dynamics, and we assert that through cartographic visualisation of the degree of transformation in these spaces it is possible to get an insight into population’s awareness about the named regions and their delimitation.</p>
</abstract>

Regions are main building blocks of larger territorial units, but they also display high dynamics affecting how regional identities can be studied. The regional dynamics and multilayered nature ultimately require new approaches to their visual representation. The goal of this article is to present a novel approach to visual presentation of the administrative regions’ dynamics by cartographic means of representation in a synthetic map that can assist in the research of regional identities. We adopt the theory of the institutionalisation of regions, the administrative division of the state is a process in which the borders and names of regions are constantly transformed causing changes in the perception of the population. Then we analyse the laws on administrative division reforms and old/historical map documents. This enabled us to identify the dynamics of individual borders and names of administrative regions (choronyms) that form spaces with a higher or lower degree of stability. We propose a visualisation approach to represent such dynamics, and we assert that through cartographic visualisation of the degree of transformation in these spaces it is possible to get an insight into population’s awareness about the named regions and their delimitation.

Visualising administrative division dynamics: transformation of borders and names in the Bohemian-Saxonian borderland

Department of Geography, Faculty of Science

GeoScape

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Regions are main building blocks of larger territorial units, but they also display high dynamics affecting how regional identities can be studied. The...

Visualising administrative division dynamics: transformation of borders and names in the Bohemian-Saxonian borderland

Published Online: Dec 14, 2023

Page range: 118 - 134

Received: Dec 12, 2022

Accepted: Oct 01, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/geosc-2023-0008

Keywords
Administrative region, Perceptual/vernacular region, Regional dynamics, Border, Cartographic representation

© 2023 Martin Bartůněk et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Visualising administrative division dynamics: transformation of borders and names in the Bohemian-Saxonian borderland

Published Online: Dec 14, 2023

Page range: 118 - 134

Received: Dec 12, 2022

Accepted: Oct 01, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/geosc-2023-0008

KeywordsAdministrative region, Perceptual/vernacular region, Regional dynamics, Border, Cartographic representation

© 2023 Martin Bartůněk et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Administrative region, Perceptual/vernacular region, Regional dynamics, Border, Cartographic representation