Quoted By:
It seems the only real pattern with what real world locations are chosen to have regions based on is that they all have something to do with Japan.
For the first four regions, it's obvious. They are areas in Japan. But since gen 5, and even more so since gen 6, the series has a theme of internationality/globalism. Despite this, the Japan connection still remains, with each region being a tourist destination beloved in Japan.
Unova is NYC, which while probably the least related to Japan specifically, it's still probably the most well known and admired tourist destination world wide, and Japan is no exception to that.
Kalos is easy, as the Japanese are so enamored with France that they even have their own Paris Syndrome. Note that just as the Japanese mainly love the modern side of France, as in Paris, Kalos is only the northern half, with Lumiose City being the only city clearly themed after a real world location, while the whole Mediterranean area is ignored.
Hawaii is not also a very loved tourist destination in Japan, but also has a sizable Japanese minority, giving Japanese IRL a feeling of fitting in even when overseas, and GF an excuse to pander to gen 1.
So that means that future regions will be based on areas with a large Japanese dispora, and/or are popular in Japanese culture. I put my bets on Brazil, Peru, or California.
