Crossword Genius

The regions are as follows (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

areas

'the regions' is the definition.
(area is a kind of region)

'are as follows' is the wordplay.
'follows' says to put letters next to each other.
'are'+'as'='AREAS'

(Other definitions for areas that I've seen before include "Zones" , "Localities" , "Places" , "Geographical regions" , "Spaces covered by two-dimensional surfaces" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app