Add to ORKGhttp://www.ashgate.com/default.aspx?page=637&calcTitle=1&title_id=9422&edition_id=12022The interaction between port activities and regional development has caught the attention of various scholars and decision-makers worldwide. However, without a clear definition of the port region, confusion remains between a group of neighboring ports (e.g. façade, range) or an inland service area of a given port (e.g. hinterland). Considering the socio-economic characteristics of regional units around ports is proposed as a possible solution for international comparison. Main results show that in developed countries, specialization in the industrial sector has a negative impact on port performance, while unemployment, GDP, and service concentrations have...