AP Human Geo - UNIT 4: Political Boundaries

autonomous region

areas within a country that have a degree of self-governance and independence, allowing them to manage their own affairs while still being part of the larger state

(Kurds)

Balance of Power

Condition of roughly equal strength between opposing countries or alliances of countries

Berlin Conference

The main objectives of the Berlin Conference were to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa while avoiding conflict between European powers.

Berlin Conference other name

Scramble for Africa

border/boundary

Invisible line that marks the extent of a state's territory

capital city

the primary location where a government is based, serving as the seat of political power and administrative functions

city-state

A sovereign state comprising of a city and its immediate hinterland

colonialism

Attempt by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political economic and cultural principles in another territory

colony

A territory that Is legally tied to a sovereign state rather than completely independent

compact state

A state in which the distance from the center to any boundary does not vary significantly

democratization

The process of establishing representative and accountable forms of government led by popularly elected officials.

devolution

The movement of power from the central government to regional governments within the state or breakup of a large state (balkanization) into several independent ones

elongated state

A state with a long narrow shape

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

a maritime zone extending up to 200 nautical miles from a coastal state's baseline, where the state has exclusive rights to explore and exploit marine resources.

enclave

is a territory that is completely surrounded by the territory of one other state

exclave

is a part of a state that is geographically separated from the main part by the territory of one or more states.

fragmented state

A state that includes several discontinuous pieces of territory

(ex: palestine or islands (Japan))

federal state

An internal organization of a state that allocates most powers to units of local government

frontier

A Zone separating two states in which neither State exercises political control

high seas

The open waters of an ocean

• beyond territorial waters of a country

gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in Power

governance

the process of decision-making and the exercise of authority in the management of a community or organization.

imperialism

Control of territory already occupied and organized by an indigenous group

irredentism

Belief that a territory outside a given state should be made part of the state due to a large amount of people there of the same ethnicity

landlocked state

A state that does not have direct Outlet to the Sea

microstate

State that encompasses a very small land area

multinational state

A state containing two or more ethnic groups with traditions of self determination that agree to coexist peacefully by recognizing each other as distinct nationalities

multi state nation

ethnic or cultural groups that exist across multiple state boundaries, forming a cohesive identity despite being divided by political borders

perforated state

A state that completely surrounds another one

prorupted state

And otherwise compact state with a large projecting extension

redistricting

the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts to reflect changes in population and ensure fair representation.

self-determination

The concept that ethnicities have the right to govern themselves

separatism

a political movement aimed at gaining independence or autonomy for a particular group or region within a larger political entity.

sovereignty

Ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its Internal Affairs by other states

state

An area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government that has control over its internal and foreign affairs

stateless nation

A nation of people without a state that it considers home

territorial waters

The area of sea around a country's coast recognized as being under that country's jurisdiction, set at 12 nautical miles

territoriality

It encompasses the ways humans establish, defend, and maintain control over geographic spaces.

terrorism

Systematic use of Violence by group in order to intimidate a population or to coerce of government into granting its demands

unitary state

An internal organization of a state that places most power in the hands of central government officials

supranational organization

3 or more countries forming an alliance for cultural, economic, or military reasons

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

Supports the implementation of the National Security Strategy, Provides Legal Certainty in the ocean and preserves essential navigation, fishing, and overflight rights.

What did the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) determine

Mining = 12 nautical miles

Fishing = 200 nautical miles

Quasi States

Places like Taiwan, that isn't completely recognized by other states as it's own state. Govern their own social, economic, and political entities. Normally seen under another state.

Unitary

more central gov't focused

• common in europe and microstates

Federal

more power in local gov't units

• common in states with large territories

rimland

the coastal regions surrounding the "heartland"

heartland

a central region of a country or continent that is strategically significant in terms of political power, economic strength, and cultural influence.

organic theory

nations must continually seek nourishment in the form of gaining land to survive

shatterbelt

a region caught between stronger colliding external cultural-political forces, under persistent stress, and ofter fragmented by aggressive rivals.

United Nations

Biggest Supranational Organization. Over 195 states recognized.

European Union

Organization with most European countries

NAFTA

Trade agreement between United States, Mexico, and Canada

ASEAN

Organization with most South East Asian countries

NATO

Military Alliance among 16 Democratic States including the United States and Canada plus 14 European States

Mercosur

Regional trade block in South America

African Union

organization of 53 African nations that worked together for peace and security

Consequent Boundaries

Boundaries formed around the cultural and ethnic characteristics of a population

Subsequent Boundaries

Boundary that evolves with the cultural landscape as it changes. Accommodates cultural differences

Superimposed Boundaries

Political barriers or boundaries drawn disregarding the contrasting cultural divisions within the people living in those areas. Most countries in Africa and Middle East.

Relic Boundaries

Historical boundaries that no longer serve as political borders but still exist. Ex: Berlin Wall.

Antecedent Boundries

political borders established before the area in question is well populated or developed, often based on natural features like rivers, mountains, or lines of latitude and longitude.

Geometric Boundaries

a straight line that is drawn along parallels of latitude, meridians of longitude, or arcs associated with them, usually to demarcate a political boundary.

Defined Boundaries

boundaries established by a legal document

Delimited Boundaries

boundaries drawn on a map

Demarcated Boundaries

boundaries identified by physical objects, like walls, signs, and fences (MARKED).