Regional refers to a whole region, not just a locality and is local or sectional. It is a term used by contemporary geographers to describe an area of land or water that is part of a larger whole. Such a distinction is often made on the basis of a historical, political, or cultural cohesiveness that separates the region from its neighbours.

The word 'region' is taken from the Latin word 'regio'. The world is comprised of regions and they are the geographical by-product of geology, ecology and history. With the ending of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in June 2006 and the independence of Montenegro and Serbia, there are now 194 independent sovereign states in the world, plus approximately 60 dependent areas, and 5 disputed territories.

The main regions of the world are Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

One can draw lines on a map that divide the world into areas with distinctive patterns of culture and language, climate and vegetation, economy and society. However, lines on a map never match reality perfectly. Regions, therefore, are not fixed or timeless, natural or neutral.

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