AP Human Geography Unit 4 Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to political patterns and processes.

Nation-State

A state with a single nation; very few of these exist.

Stateless Nation

A nation without its own independent state.

Multinational State

A state with two or more nations.

Autonomous Region

An area that governs itself but is not an independent country.

Sovereignty

Final authority over a territory and the right to defend territorial integrity against incursions.

Self-Determination

The process by which a country determines its own statehood and forms its own allegiances and government.

Devolution

The transfer of decision-making power from a central government to a lower level.

Choke Point

A strategic narrow route providing passage through or to another region.

Neocolonialism

Gaining indirect control of another country through economic or cultural pressures.

Shatterbelt

A region caught between stronger colliding external forces, under persistent stress.

Territoriality

The perceived connection of people, their culture, and their economic systems to the land.

Boundary

A line that determines the limits of state jurisdiction.

Relic Boundary

A boundary that no longer exists as an international border but remnants of its existence remain.

Superimposed Boundary

A boundary drawn by powerful outsiders that ignores existing cultural groups.

Subsequent Boundary

A boundary that evolves as the cultural landscape of an area takes shape.

Antecedent Boundary

A boundary in the natural landscape that existed before the cultural landscape emerged.

Geometric Boundary

A boundary that follows a straight line or arc.

Consequent Boundary

Boundaries that coincide with cultural groups.

Demilitarized Zone

An area previously in conflict from which weapons and military forces have been removed.

Maritime Boundary

Extensions of a country's territory that extend into the oceans.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

A zone of water adjacent to the Contiguous Zone in which the state has rights to explore and manage resources.

Voting District

Subdivision for electing members to a legislative body.

Redistricting

When voting districts are redrawn due to changes in population.

Gerrymandering

Redrawing voting district boundaries to give one party or group an advantage.

Unitary State

A country where the national government is strong and regional governments are weak.

Federal State

A country where both the national and regional governments share power.

Ethnic Separatism

Divisions based on religion, language, or ethnicity that may lead to the devolution of states.

Terrorism

Violence against civilians for political reasons.

Irredentism

When a state wants to annex a territory whose population is ethnically similar.

Democratization

Introducing democratic systems or principles.

Supranationalism

Political or economic alliance of three or more states forming for mutual benefit.

Centripetal Force

A force or attitude that tends to unify people and enhance support for the state.

Centrifugal Force

A force or attitude that divides the state.

UNCLOS

established rights and responsibilities of states concerning ownership/usage of the seas and their resources.

Territorial Sea

zone of water adjacent to a state’s coast (12 miles) in which a state has sovereignty

Median-Line Principle

an approach to dividing and creating boundaries at the midpoint between two place

Devolution

the transfer of power or authority from a central government to a lower level

Ethnic Cleansing

the mass expulsion or killing of members of an unwanted ethnic or religious group in a society

Economies of Scale

cost advantages gained by an increased level of production. As countries agree to produce more of a good, the revenue received from selling that good is bound to increase due to fixed costs being spread over a larger volume of output.