What are cultural groups? What are cultural regions?

Cultural groups are sets of people who share common characteristics that define their collective identity. These characteristics can include language, traditions, customs, beliefs, norms, arts, history, and aspects of identity that are passed down through generations. A cultural group can be as large as a national group, like the Japanese or the French, or it can be a smaller community such as the Maasai people of East Africa or the Cajuns of Louisiana. Individuals within a cultural group tend to see themselves as sharing a common heritage and way of life, which differentiates them from members of other cultural groups.

Cultural regions, on the other hand, are geographical areas where residents have similar cultural traits. A cultural region can be based on a variety of factors, including language, economic practices, religion, and other cultural aspects. Cultural regions can vary in size; some may be contained within a city, while others can span across continents. These regions are not necessarily defined by political borders, rather they are often outlined by the cultural characteristics that are prevalent in the area. Examples of cultural regions include Latin America, which is characterized by languages derived from Latin (like Spanish and Portuguese), a history of colonialism, and cultural blends of Indigenous, African, and European elements; or the American South, which has its own distinct cuisine, music, accents, and social norms.