Unit 4.1-4.7 Political Geography Terms

antecedent boundary

A boundary that was created before the cultural landscape emerged.

autonomous region

A region that has a degree of self-governance, or autonomy, from a larger political entity.

Berlin Conference

A meeting in 1884-1885 where European nations negotiated and formalized their colonial claims in Africa.

choke point

A strategic narrow route providing passage through or to another region.

colonialism

The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

consequent boundary

A boundary that is established based on the cultural landscape, such as language or religion.

defined boundary

A boundary that is established by a legal document or treaty.

demarcated boundary

A boundary that is marked by physical objects such as fences or walls.

demilitarized zone

An area where military forces are prohibited, often established by treaty.

delimited boundary

A boundary that is drawn on a map.

Devolution

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

exclusive economic zone

A sea zone over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, extending 200 nautical miles from its coast.

federal state

A country where political power is shared between a central government and regional governments, allowing each level to have authority over certain policy areas. This structure promotes decentralization and accommodates regional differences.

geometric boundary

A boundary that follows a geometric pattern, often a straight line.

gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means.

independence movement

A movement aimed at achieving independence from another nation-state for a particular region or group.

international waters

Waters that are not under the jurisdiction of any one country.

land boundary

A boundary that separates land areas.

maritime boundary

A boundary that separates the territorial waters of two or more states.

multistate nation

A nation that spans multiple states or countries.

multinational state

A state that contains multiple nations or ethnic groups.

nation

A large group of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, or history.

nation-state

A political entity characterized by a defined territory and a permanent population that shares a common identity.

neocolonialism

The practice of using economic, political, and cultural pressures to control or influence other countries, especially former dependencies.

redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.

relic boundary

A boundary that no longer functions but can still be observed in the cultural landscape.

semi autonomous region

A region that has some degree of autonomy but is still governed by a larger political entity.

shatterbelt

A region caught between stronger colliding external cultural-political forces, under persistent stress.

sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

state

A politically organized territory with a permanent population and a defined territory.

stateless nation

A nation that does not have a state or recognized territory.

subsequent boundary

A boundary that is established after the cultural landscape has developed.

superimposed boundary

A boundary that is imposed on the cultural landscape, often without regard for existing patterns.

Territoriality

The connection of people, their culture, and their economic systems to the land.

territorial sea

The area of sea up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline of a coastal state, over which the state has sovereignty.

unitary state

A state governed as a single entity where the central government holds the majority of the power.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

An international agreement that establishes guidelines for the use of the world's oceans and marine resources.

voting district

A geographical area in which eligible voters reside and are represented by elected officials.