AP Human Geography Unit 4 Vocab

Nation-state

A political entity characterized by a defined territory and a permanent population, governed by a sovereign authority.

Stateless nation

A cultural or ethnic group that does not possess its own state and is not the majority population within any nation.

Multinational state

A state that contains two or more nations or ethnic groups with a history of self-determination.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state; full right and power to govern without interference.

Multi State nation

A nation that spans multiple states across boundaries.

Autonomous region

A region that has a degree of independence and self-governance from the larger state.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests of a particular nation, often in relation to self-governance and independence.

Self-determination

The right of people to determine their own political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.

Colonialism

The practice of acquiring control over another country or territory, often involving settlement and exploitation.

Decolonization

The process of a colony gaining independence and becoming a sovereign nation.

Genocide

The deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Cold War

A period of political tension and military rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union post-World War II.

Satellite states

Countries that are officially independent but under heavy political and economic influence from another state.

Devolution

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

Choke point

A narrow passage or route that is critical for commerce and logistics, often subject to control.

Neocolonialism

The use of economic, political, and cultural pressures to control or influence another country, often former colonies.

Relic boundary

A former boundary that is still reflected in the cultural or political landscape but no longer functions as an active boundary.

Superimposed boundary

A boundary that has been imposed on a region without consideration of the existing cultural or ethnic divisions.

Antecedent boundary

A boundary that existed before the cultural landscape emerged.

Consequent boundary

A boundary that aligns with existing cultural or ethnic divisions.

Demarcated boundary

A boundary that is visibly marked on the landscape.

Demilitarized Zone

An area in which treaties or agreements between nations prohibit military operations.

Berlin Conference

A meeting held in 1884-1885 where European nations negotiated claims to African territories.

Landlocked

A state that does not have any coastline and is surrounded by land.

Maritime boundary

A conceptual division of the Earth's water surface into territorial waters and other zones.

UNCLOS

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an international treaty governing the rights and responsibilities of nations concerning their use of the world's oceans.

International waters

Water bodies not under the jurisdiction of any one country, also known as high seas.