The Triangle is a molecule, not an atom, including Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Morrisville and Garner nuclei. Linked regions have scores of advantages over centered regions but they are more complex and require more time to harmonize differences and align strategies. One thing is for sure, geography is the determinant and one can't evolve into the other. This is a federal designation for census commute zones. Again, it is a mis-reference.
Media measures local markets by reach.
This is also more interesting to the customers. It isn't always intentional. The same people when referring to Downtown automatically assume there is only one in the Triangle. Either way, intentional or not, it undermines the Triangle and the cause of regional cooperation.