Political Geography-Morphology

Compact State

A state that is geographically small and has the capital at its center, allowing for efficient governance. (Switzerland, Hungary)

Prorupted State

A state that has a substantial protrusion or extension, often leading to issues of governance. (dr congo, thailand)

Elongated State

A state that has a long and narrow shape due to geographical or political factors.(chile and gambia)

Fragmented State

A state that consists of several discontinuous pieces of territory. (indonesia, philippines)

Perforated State

A state that entirely surrounds another state. (south africa and lesotho)

Microstate

A very small country, often homogenous in population.

Exclave

A portion of territory of one state completely surrounded by territory of another state. NOT LAND LOCKED

Enclave

A territory that is completely surrounded by the territory of another state. LAND LOCKED

Boundary Origins

Categories of boundaries defined by their origins, such as antecedent, subsequent, superimposed, and relic boundaries.

Balkanization

The fragmentation of a region into smaller, often hostile, units due to ethnic or cultural differences.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Law of the Sea

International laws governing the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans.

UNCLOS

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which establishes guidelines for the use of ocean resources.

Devolution

The transfer of power from a central government to regional or local governments.

Cultural Boundary

A boundary that is based on the cultural characteristics of a population, such as language or religion.

Geometric Boundary

A boundary defined by straight lines and often based on latitude and longitude.

Physical Boundary

A boundary that follows natural features such as rivers, mountains, or lakes.

Territorial Dispute

A disagreement between countries or states over the possession of land.

Resource Dispute

A conflict over the allocation of resources such as oil, water, or minerals.

Functional Boundary Dispute

Disputes related to the management of borders and cross-border interactions.