APHG Unit 4 Vocabulary List (Hildebrant)

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms in Political Geography and related concepts.

Political Geography

A branch of human geography concerned with the spatial analysis of political systems.

Political map

A map that shows the spatial organization of the countries and territories.

State or country

An independent political unit with centralized authority over a defined region.

Independent state

A state that rules itself, not subject to another state.

Sovereign state

A state with sole authority over its land and people.

Nation

A community of people with a common identity based on shared cultural traits.

Nation-state

An ideal political unit where nation boundaries match state boundaries.

Nation-state ideal

Political authorities govern in the name of all citizens reinforcing national identity.

Nationalism

Sense of belonging to a national culture; a significant part of social identity.

Stateless nation

An ethnic group or nation that doesn't have its own state.

Multinational state

A country with multiple national, ethnic, and religious groups.

Multistate nations

Ethnic groups that are divided by international boundaries.

Autonomous regions

Territories with a degree of self-government or autonomy.

Semiautonomous region

A territory with some degree of self-governance but not complete.

Self-determination

A nation's ability to determine its own statehood and governance.

Core area

A small territorial nucleus from which a country grows over time.

Escarpments

Abrupt slopes disrupting the continuity of terrain.

Effective sovereignty

The power of a state to enforce sovereignty, varying by country.

Devolution

The movement of power from central to regional governments.

Ethnonationalism

Nationalism defined by ethnic identity.

Neocolonialism

Economic and political strategies used by powerful countries to maintain influence.

Peripheral states

States with little industrial development and low levels of consumption.

Core states

States with advanced industrial and military technologies.

Shatterbelt

Regions of persistent fragmentation due to devolution.

Choke point

A narrow passage restricting traffic to another region.

Strait

A narrow body of water connecting two larger bodies of water.

Boundary

A demarcated line marking the limits of a territory.

Median line principle

An approach to dividing boundaries at the midpoint between two places.

Bordeland

A region straddling an international boundary where cultures overlap.

Frontier

A region at the margins of state control and settlement.

Enclave

A territory surrounded by a country but not ruled by it.

Exclave

Part of a national territory separated from its main body.

Delimited

Describing how boundaries are fixed or defined.

Demarcated

Describing how boundaries are set apart to distinguish limits.

Relic boundary

A boundary that no longer serves as an international border.

Superimposed boundary

A boundary placed on an area disregarding existing boundaries.

Subsequent boundary

A boundary developed with the cultural landscape.

Antecedent boundary

A boundary identified before an area was settled.

Geometric boundary

A boundary defined by regular, straight lines without regard for physical features.

Consequent boundary

A boundary drawn to accommodate existing cultural differences.

Demilitarized zone (DMZ)

An area where military activities are forbidden along established frontiers.

Buffer state

A weak independent country lying between two powers.

Satellite state

A seemingly independent country controlled by a more powerful state.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS)

Conference to define territorial boundaries and rights to the sea.

Exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

Zone extending 200 nautical miles from shoreline for coastal state rights.

Arctic circle

Area defined by the 66 degrees, 34 minutes north latitude line.

Electoral geography

Subfield analyzing how geography shapes political preferences and voting.

Voting district

Territorial division for casting votes in public elections.

Electoral College

Body of electors in the U.S. needed to elect the president.

Reapportionment

Process of redistributing seats in the U.S. House by population.

Redistricting

Drawing new boundaries for congressional districts to reflect population changes.

Gerrymandering

Manipulation of voting district boundaries to favor a political party.

Packing

Gerrymandering by concentrating opposition into one district.

Cracking

Gerrymandering by dividing opposition votes into many districts.

Subnational units

Smaller areas a larger state is divided into.

Unitary state

State that concentrates power within the central government.

Federal state

Country that disperses significant authority among subnational units.

Irredentism

Political claim to territory in another country based on ethnic ties.

Terrorism

Violent acts against civilians to publicize a cause or intimidate a population.

International terrorism

Terrorism that transcends national boundaries.

Domestic terrorism

Acts against citizens or government of one's own country.

State terrorism

Terrorism by government agents ordered to harm perceived enemies.

Subnational terrorism

Terrorism by non-governmental groups feeling wronged by their government.

ETA

Basque separatist group in Spain that used terrorism for independence.

Democratization

Transition from a non-democracy to a democracy.

Supranationalism

When states relinquish some sovereign rights to a larger authority.

Supranational organization

Political body established for mutual gain among nations.

United Nations (UN)

International organization for maintaining peace and cooperation.

European Union (EU)

Political and economic union of European countries promoting free movement.

African Union (AU)

Continental organization for African growth and development.

Arctic Council

Forum for Arctic states and communities to promote sustainable development.

Regional trading bloc

Agreement reducing taxes to promote cross-border trade.

Economies of scale

Cost advantages from larger scale operations.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA - USMCA)

1994 trade agreement between Canada, U.S., and Mexico.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Intergovernmental organization promoting cooperation in Southeast Asia.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Military alliance among North American and European countries.

Failed state

A state with a weak system no longer in control.

Uneven development

Core states with advanced economies versus peripheral states.

Allegiance

Loyalty or commitment to a country.

Equitable infrastructure

Improvement of foundational services throughout a country.

Cultural cohesion

Cultural unity among society's members.

Iconography

Traditional symbols associated with a country and its citizens.