Regional Consolidation: Where to draw the lines?

[Bacon King]

I think it will be beneficial to start an open and public nationwide dialogue on this topic. Here's a nationwide population map, per the Census Bureau's most recent information; how do you think a three or four region Atlasia should look?

[Bacon King]

Tinkering around with it, it looks like a three region map must substantially resemble this one:



Anything that differs from this map by more than a few states will either have a sizable population disparity or rather nonsensical borders. There might be another sensible split, but I haven't found anything.

[Bacon King]

Four regions:

Green: 45
Blue: 35
Red: 39
Yellow: 58

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Green: 81
Blue: 56
Red: 41

[Bacon King]

Keep in mind that people are likely to change states no matter what the new map looks like, so population shouldn't be of huge concern.

Some people will move regions, definitely, but arguably if you draw the regions with roughly equal populations, then roughly equal numbers will be moving to and from each new region so population should still be roughly equitable in the end.


And here's my first shot at a four-region map:



edit: I only now realized this is literally Scott's four region map except MD is flipped

doubleedit: and furthermore wow I am terrible at addition apparently, the Southeast region has 39 not 50, I think I accidentally counted VA with the south when I did the counting

[Bacon King]

The current map is fine. While many of the four region maps are tolerable the three region maps are absolutely horrid. As it is I oppose any idea of regional consolidation due to its irreparable harm towards the Mideast region.

I agree that is the biggest shortcoming of a "three region" plan. Given its central location, the Mideast would essentially be forced to be split between all three regions.

[Bacon King]

Adam:

Including Canada on the maps would not be appropriate because, strictly speaking, no part of Canada is part of any region and the Canadian provinces are only associated with specific regions due to a bilateral treaty that can not be altered without the consent of the Canadian government!