“It’s Not for Everybody”: Life in Arizona’s Sparsely Populated Areas

Sparsely populated regions (SPRs) have specific features like remoteness and low population densities but also identities constructed by their inhabitants based on relationship with environment the consequences to lifestyles. Although theoretical frameworks been developed for SPRs, two challenges remain when it comes applying them actual places. The first one is identifying map. What would demographic threshold of “sparse” be? How do we quantify isolation? second evaluating how SPR reverberate in lifestyle self-image inhabitants. are views about themselves geographical situation? Are they linked? This article attempts elaborate both dimensions. It uses state Arizona as a test area proposes an approach that combines quantitative methods geographic information systems determine which part can be considered qualitative analysis analyze this sees conceptualizes its lifestyle, well relate more densely areas, especially issue isolation relative place attachment identity. As result, will offer better grasp SPRs United States suggest new trends investigated other contexts.