Human Geo Unit 3

Sovereignty

The authority that an independent state has to govern its own territory

Nation-State

A sovereign country that has connected borders with a different nation but they share a common identity

Stateless Nation

A group that has a common identity in a country but doesn't have its own independent state

Unitary System

The national government has all the power

Federal System

Divides political power between the national government and smaller regional units.

Gerrymandering

When politicians redraw a district line so they can have an advantage in the electoral race

Supranatinal Organization

An alliance formed by multiple nations

Devolution

The power transfer from a central government to a regional one.

Shatterbelt

A region that is in the middle of two stronger regions that are fighting

Colonialism

A country that settles in another territory

Natural Boundary

A political border that is marked by a physical geographic feature

Geometric Boundary

A border that is a straight line without consideration of physical terrain

Superimposed Boundary

A border forcibly drawn over an existing culture

Subsequent Boundary

A border that is made after culture is established

Enclave

A territory surrouded by territory

Exclave

A territory that is completely separated from its main body

Compact State

A state that has the same distance from the center to border

Elongated State