Ap human unit 4 cards

Administered boundaries

Borders that are not clearly defined or agreed upon and are often managed by international organizations.

African Union

A regional organization of African countries created to promote political cooperation, economic development, and peace.

Antecedent boundaries

Borders established before an area was significantly populated, often following natural features.

Arctic Council

An intergovernmental forum that promotes cooperation among countries with territory in the Arctic region.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

A regional organization that encourages economic growth, political stability, and cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Autonomous region

An area within a country that has a high degree of self-government.

Choke points

Strategically narrow routes used for transportation or trade that are critical to global movement.

Colonialism

Control of territory by a foreign power, usually for economic and political benefit.

Consequent boundaries

Borders drawn after population settlement, often reflecting cultural or ethnic divisions.

Cultural cohesion

The degree to which people in a society share beliefs, values, and cultural practices.

Defined boundaries

Borders that are clearly identified by legal documents such as treaties.

Delimited boundaries

Borders that are drawn on maps and described in legal documents.

Demarcated boundaries

Borders that are physically marked on the landscape with fences, walls, or signs.

Demilitarized zones

Areas where military forces are prohibited to reduce conflict.

Democratization

The process of transitioning from authoritarian rule to a government run by the people.

Devolution

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

Economies of scale

Cost advantages gained when production increases, making goods cheaper to produce per unit.

Equitable infrastructure development

Fair distribution of transportation, utilities, and services across regions.

Established territorial seas

Coastal waters over which a country has sovereignty, usually extending 12 nautical miles.

Ethnic cleansing

The forced removal of an ethnic group from a territory to create ethnic homogeneity.

Ethnic nationalist

A person who supports national identity based on shared ethnicity.

Ethnic separatism

A movement where an ethnic group seeks independence from the state it resides in.

Ethnonationalism

Nationalism that emphasizes ethnic identity as the basis for nationhood.

European Union

A supranational organization of European countries that promotes economic and political integration.

Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)

Waters extending up to 200 nautical miles where a state has rights to marine resources.

Failed states

Countries whose governments cannot maintain control or provide basic services.

Federal states

Governments where power is divided between a central authority and regional units.

Geometric boundaries

Borders drawn using straight lines or geometric shapes, often ignoring cultural features.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating voting district boundaries to favor a political party.

Imperialism

A policy in which a powerful country controls weaker territories economically or politically.

Independence movements

Efforts by a group or region to break away and form a separate state.

Independent state

A political entity with full control over its internal and external affairs.

Irredentism

A movement to reclaim territory believed to be historically or ethnically connected to a nation.

Land boundaries

Borders that separate land territory between states.

Maritime boundaries

Borders that divide ocean or sea areas between states.

Military alliances

Agreements between countries to provide mutual defense.

Multinational state

A country containing multiple ethnic or cultural nations.

Multi-state nation

A nation that extends across the borders of multiple states.

Nation

A group of people with shared culture, history, language, or identity.

Nation-state

A state whose population largely shares a single national identity.

Neocolonialism

Indirect control of a country through economic or political influence rather than direct rule.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A military alliance formed for collective defense among North American and European countries.

Redistricting

The redrawing of voting district boundaries, usually after a census.

Relic boundaries

Former borders that no longer exist but still influence cultural or political patterns.

Self-determination

The right of a people to choose their own political status and government.

Semi-autonomous region

A region with some self-governing powers but still under a central government.

Shatterbelts

Regions caught between stronger powers, leading to instability and conflict.

Sovereignty

A state’s ability to govern itself without external interference.

Stateless nation

A nation that does not have its own recognized state.

Subsequent boundaries

Borders created after settlement that reflect cultural or political differences.

Superimposed boundaries

Borders imposed by outside powers without regard for local cultures.

Supranationalism

When multiple states give up some sovereignty to a larger organization.

Territoriality

A group’s connection to and control over a specific area.

Terrorism

The use of violence against civilians to achieve political goals.

Trade agreements

Treaties that regulate trade between countries.

Uneven development

Differences in economic growth and living standards within or between regions.

Unitary states

Governments where power is concentrated in a central authority.

United Nations

An international organization that promotes peace, security, and cooperation among countries.

United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

An international agreement defining maritime rights and responsibilities.

Voting districts

Geographic areas represented by elected officials.