Geologic province

[[Image:World geologic provinces.jpg|thumb|right|300px|World geologic provinces by origin. ({{USGS}})
Oceanic crust

Geologic province

]]

A geologic province is a spatial entity with common geologic attributes. A province may include a single dominant structural element such as a basin or a fold belt, or a number of contiguous related elements. Adjoining provinces may be similar in structure but be considered separate due to differing histories.

There are several meanings of geologic provinces, as used in specific contexts.

Geologic provinces by origin

Geologic provinces based on origin:
* Shield
* Platform (shield covered with sediment)
* Orogen
** Island arc
** Continental arc
** Forearc
* Basin
** Cratonic basin
** Foredeep Basin
* Large igneous province
* Extended crust
** Rifted margin
** Rift

Geologic provinces by resources

US coal regions and provinces.

Some studies classify provinces based upon mineral resources, such as mineral deposits. There are a particularly large number of provinces identified worldwide for petroleum and other mineral fuels, such as the Niger Delta petroleum province