Unit 4 Vocabulary AP HU GEO

Administered boundaries

How boundaries will be maintained, how they will function, and what goods and people will be allowed to cross.

African Union

An organization of all countries in Africa advocating for peace, security, and stability through cooperation, economic development, and global integration.

Antecedent boundaries

Boundaries established before many people settled into an area.

Arctic Council

An organization of countries with territory in the Arctic to foster cooperation among Arctic states and include Arctic indigenous communities.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

An organization of Southeast Asian countries aimed at advancing economic growth, peace, and social progress.

Autonomous region

A subdivision or dependent territory of a country with a degree of self-government.

Choke points

Narrow passages that restrict traffic to another region.

Colonialism

The process by which one nation exercises near complete control over another country they have settled.

Consequent boundaries

Boundaries that account for cultural differences within a landscape, separating groups with distinct traits.

Cultural cohesion

The capacity of different national and ethnic groups to commit to living together as citizens of the same state.

Defined boundaries

Boundaries established by legal documents, such as treaties, dividing one state from another.

Delimited boundaries

Boundaries drawn on a map by a cartographer to show limits of a space.

Demarcated boundaries

Boundaries identified by physical objects placed on the landscape.

Demilitarized zones

Specific areas where military forces and equipment are prohibited to reduce potential conflict.

Democratization

The transition from autocratic to more representative forms of politics.

Devolution

The movement of power from the central government to regional governments within a state.

Economies of scale

Increased efficiency that lowers per unit production costs, resulting in greater profits.

Equitable infrastructure development

The process of building and improving essential physical and organizational structures.

Established territorial seas

The zone extending 12 nautical miles from a country's coastline.

Ethnic cleansing

A policy designed to remove a civilian population of another ethnic group by violence or terrorism.

Ethnic nationalist

A person advocating for the rights and recognition of their ethnic group.

Ethnic separatism

The advocacy for separation from a larger group, identifying more with their ethnic group.

Ethnonationalism

A form of nationalism defined by ethnic identity.

European Union

An organization of mostly Western and Central European countries aimed at political and economic integration.

Exclusive Economic Zones

An area extending 100 nautical miles from a state's coast.

Failed states

Countries that have lost the ability to effectively govern their territory and people.

Federal states

Countries that unite separate political entities while allowing each to maintain some sovereignty.

Geometric boundaries

Mathematical boundaries that follow lines of latitude and longitude.

Gerrymandering

the drawing or boundaries for political districts by the party in power to protect or increase its power

Imperialism

The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization and military force.

Independence movements

Efforts by groups or regions to gain political autonomy and establish sovereignty.

Independent state

A state with sovereignty to control its affairs without external interference.

Irredentism

The desire of a majority ethnic group to claim territory from a neighboring state.

Land boundaries

Detailed lines that separate distinct political entities.

Maritime boundaries

Legal boundaries establishing a state's jurisdiction over its sea areas.

Military alliances

Formal agreements between countries pledging mutual defense in case of attack.

Multinational state

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

Multi State nation

Ethnic groups that are separated by one or more international boundaries.

Nation

A community of people bound to a homeland with a common identity based on shared traits.

Nation-state

A political entity where sovereign state boundaries align with cultural boundaries.

Neocolonialism

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

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

An organization providing mutual defense for member states.

Redistricting

Boundary adjustments within political districts.

Relic boundaries

Former boundaries with no official function, considered relics.

Self-determination

A nation's ability to determine its own statehood and forms of government.

Semi Autonomous region

a subnational area that has some degree of self-governance, but is also controlled by another state

Shatterbelts

Regions of persistent fragmentation due to devolution and centrifugal forces.

Sovereignty

The power of a political unit to govern its own affairs.

Stateless nation

An ethnic group without its own state, not the majority in any nation-state.

Subsequent boundaries

Boundaries drawn in settled areas where cultural landscapes already exist.

Superimposed boundaries

Boundaries drawn over existing borders by an outside force.

Supranationalism

The practice of multiple countries forming an organization for mutual benefit.

Territoriality

A strategy by individuals or groups to claim power over land and resources.

Terrorism

Organized violence aimed at creating fear to advance political goals.

Trade agreements

Legal agreements outlining rules for trade between countries.

Uneven development

The unequal distribution of resources and opportunities across regions.

Unitary states

States where most or all governing power is held by the national government.

United Nations

An organization of most countries promoting peace, security, and human rights.

United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea

Establishes the legal framework for various maritime zones.

Voting districts

Boundaries that divide a country's electorate into regions.