Key Concepts in Political Geography: Boundaries, States, and Nationalism

Antecedent Boundary

A boundary established before the area was well populated or developed (e.g., U.S.-Canada border).

consequent boundary

Drawn to accommodate existing cultural differences such as religion or language (e.g., India-Pakistan).

Subsequent Boundary

Developed after cultural landscape formation and settlement.

Superimposed Boundary

Imposed by outside powers, ignoring existing cultural or ethnic divisions (e.g., Africa after the Berlin Conference).

Relic Boundary

No longer functions but still visible in the cultural landscape (e.g., Berlin Wall).

Geometric Boundary

Based on latitude and longitude lines rather than physical or cultural features.

Boundary

An invisible line marking the limits of a state's territory.

Frontier

A zone where no state exercises complete political control.

Compact State

A state with a roughly circular shape; distance from center to any boundary is similar (e.g., Poland).

Elongated State

Long, narrow shape (e.g., Chile).

Prorupted State

Compact state with a projecting extension (e.g., Thailand).

Perforated State

A state that completely surrounds another (e.g., South Africa and Lesotho).

Fragmented State

Several noncontiguous pieces of territory (e.g., Indonesia).

Landlocked State

Lacks direct access to the ocean or sea.

Microstate

Very small in land area and population (e.g., Monaco).

State

A political unit with a permanent population, defined territory, government, and sovereignty.

Nation

A group of people with shared cultural traits and a sense of unity.

Nation-State

A state whose territory corresponds to a particular nation (e.g., Japan).

Multinational State

Contains multiple ethnic groups with traditions of self-determination (e.g., Russia).

Multiethnic State

Contains more than one ethnicity without self-determination movements (e.g., U.S.).

Stateless Nation

A nation without its own state (e.g., Kurds).

Multistate Nation

A nation that exists across multiple states (e.g., Koreans in North and South Korea).

Sovereignty

A state's power to govern itself without external control.

Self-determination

The right of people to choose their own political status.

Autonomous Region

Area within a state with some degree of self-government (e.g., Hong Kong).

Semiautonomous Region

Area with partial control over local matters but still under another state (e.g., Native American reservations).

Enclave

Territory completely surrounded by another state (e.g., Lesotho).

Exclave

Part of a state separated from the main territory by another state (e.g., Alaska).

Colonialism

Establishing settlements and control over a territory by a foreign power.

Imperialism

Extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

Decolonization

Process by which colonies gain independence.

Balkanization

Fragmentation of a state into smaller, hostile units (e.g., Yugoslavia).

Devolution

Transfer of power from a central government to regional governments (e.g., U.K. to Scotland).

Shatterbelt

Region caught between stronger conflicting external forces (e.g., Eastern Europe during the Cold War).

Confederation

Union of sovereign states with a weak central government.

Supranationalism

When multiple countries form an organization for shared goals (e.g., European Union).

Democratization

Transition from authoritarian rule to democratic government.

EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone)

200-nautical-mile area where a state controls marine resources.

forward capital

Relocated capital city for economic or strategic reasons (e.g., Brasília).

Ethnicity

Shared cultural traits such as language, ancestry, and religion.

Nationality

Identity with a group sharing legal attachment and allegiance to a state.

Nationalism

Strong loyalty and devotion to one's nation.

Ethnonationalism

Nationalism based on shared ethnicity; often leads to independence movements.

Ethnic Cleansing

Forcible removal or killing of a group to create a homogenous region.

Race

Categorization of humans based on physical traits like skin color.

Racism

Belief that one race is superior to others.

Irredentism

Policy of reclaiming territory seen as "lost" or culturally related (e.g., Germany's claim to Sudetenland).

Blockbusting

Real estate agents persuade white homeowners to sell homes cheaply due to racial fears.

Gerrymandering

Redrawing electoral district lines to favor one party or group.