"A region is a general area of land that is defined by shared characteristics, such as climate, vegetation, landforms, or cultural identity. Regions can be formal or informal, and they can cross international borders. For example, the Cascades are a mountain range that extends from British Columbia in Canada to northern California in the United States. The Cascades are often divided into subregions, such as the Northern Cascades, the Central Cascades, and the Southern Cascades. States A state is a political division of a country with its own government, laws, and constitution. States are typically defined by borders, and they have a certain amount of autonomy within their country. For example, Washington is a state in the United States. Washington has its own governor, legislature, and judiciary. It also has its own laws and constitution. Differences Between Regions and States The main difference between regions and states is that regions are not political divisions. They do not have their own governments or laws. Additionally, regions can be defined by a wider range of factors than states. For example, regions can be defined by cultural identity, while states are typically defined by borders. Example of Regions and States in the Cascades The Cascades are an example of a region that crosses international borders. The Cascades are also an example of a region that can be divided into subregions. For example, the North Cascades are a subregion of the Cascades that is located in Washington state. The North Cascades are defined by their mountainous terrain, their dense forests, and their alpine meadows."