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

人口稀少地区 (SPR) 具有偏远和人口密度低等特定特征，但也具有居民根据与环境的关系以及对生活方式的影响而构建的特定身份。尽管已经为 SPR 开发了理论框架，但在将它们应用于实际场所时仍然存在两个挑战。第一个是在地图上识别它们。“稀疏”的人口阈值是多少？我们如何量化隔离？第二个是评估 SPR 功能如何影响其居民的生活方式和自我形象。他们对自己和所处的地理位置有何看法？他们有联系吗？本文试图详细阐述这两个维度。它使用亚利桑那州作为试验区，并提出了一种结合定量方法和地理信息系统的方法，以确定亚利桑那州的哪个部分可以被视为 SPR，并通过定性分析来分析该人群如何看待和概念化其生活方式，以及以及它们与人口稠密地区的关系，特别是在与地方依恋和地方认同相关的隔离问题上。因此，本文将更好地掌握美国的 SPR，并建议在其他地理环境中研究的新趋势。以及它们与人口稠密地区的关系，特别是在与地方依恋和地方认同相关的隔离问题上。因此，本文将更好地掌握美国的 SPR，并建议在其他地理环境中研究的新趋势。以及它们与人口稠密地区的关系，特别是在与地方依恋和地方认同相关的隔离问题上。因此，本文将更好地掌握美国的 SPR，并建议在其他地理环境中研究的新趋势。