Geo-conceptology and regional identity

The article examines reconstruction of mental representations of regional identity and description of methods of their externalization. The study is conducted within the framework of geo-conceptology - an interdisciplinary scientific area dedicated to mental representation of geospace and its externalization in the external medium through semiotic systems, in particular linguistic signs, charts, graphs, formulas, drawings, maps and others, available to the subject. They are “native” maps obtained from a “cognitive geo-mapping” experiment that served as the material for the study. Data analysis and interpretation were carried out within semiotic tradition because “naive” maps are of a multi-code nature, as they combine both graphical and verbal sign systems. On the basis of the “naive” mapping material, regional identity was considered in the context of national identity, which has its own sign means, marking its presence in the “naive” maps. Our findings made it possible to estimate the degree of interference and conflicts of regional and national identities.