Regions are areas of interest within a study area. Regions can be created by clicking the Element Handling button in the Layout Map Window, selecting the desired areas, and then using the right click Create Region… menu option. An interface will appear that allows the user to name the new region and associate it with a regions map. Regions can also be imported. Selecting the Import Regions… menu option in the Regions – Regions Map right click menu opens a four-step wizard that allows users to select whether the source is an existing regions map or an external shapefile, select the regions map or shapefile, select the regions to import, and selecting names for the imported regions (Figure). Existing regions can be managed via the Region Handling button, which allows for splitting, renaming, and deleting of individually selected regions and merging and deleting of multiple selected regions. Individual regions can also be renamed and deleted via right click menu options in the Layer Selection – Layers – Regions – Region Map – Regions list, which is also where symbology for regions maps and regions are controlled. Collections of regions are stored in regions maps.

Figure. The Import Regions wizard allows import from existing regions maps or external shapefiles.
Regions are used in EFMSim in two ways. First, regions are used as a spatial basis for reporting of simulation results. For example, simulation populations can be reported per region. Second, regions can be used as corridors for movement of mobile simulated communities.