hgap unit 4

Political geography

The study of how people organize space, governments, and boundaries.

Political map

A map showing borders, cities, and countries.

State or country

A politically organized area with a government.

Independent state

A state that runs its own government and isn't controlled by another.

Sovereign state

A state with full control over its territory and decisions.

Nation

A group of people with shared culture, history, and identity.

Nation-state

A state whose population is mostly one nation.

Nation-state ideal

The idea that each nation should have its own state.

Nationalism

Strong loyalty and pride toward one’s nation.

Stateless nation

A nation without its own state.

Multinational state

A state with multiple nations inside it.

Multistate nations

A nation spread across multiple states.

Autonomous region

An area within a state that has some self-rule.

Semiautonomous region

A region with limited self-rule but still controlled by a state.

Self-determination

The right of people to choose their own government.

Core area

The original, most developed part of a state.

Escarpments

Steep slopes or cliffs separating areas of land.

Effective sovereignty

The actual power a state has to control its territory.

Devolution

Power shifting from a central government to regional governments.

Ethnonationalism

Nationalism based on shared ethnicity.

Neocolonialism

Modern indirect control over weaker countries through economic or political means.

Peripheral states

Less developed, poorer countries on the global edge.

Core states

Wealthier, powerful, highly developed countries.

Shatterbelt

A region caught between stronger competing powers.

Choke point

A strategic narrow route used for transportation or trade.

Strait

A narrow body of water connecting two larger bodies.

Boundary

A line that marks the limits of a state’s territory.

Median line principle

Dividing water boundaries equally between countries.

Borderland

A region near a boundary where cultures mix.

Frontier

An area where no single state has full control.

Enclave

A territory completely surrounded by another state.

Exclave

A territory that is separated from its main state.

Delimited boundary

A boundary drawn on a map.

Demarcated boundary

A boundary marked physically with signs, fences, or walls.

Relic boundary

A former boundary that still has effects today.

Superimposed boundary

A boundary placed by outside powers with little regard for local groups.

Subsequent boundary

A boundary drawn after the area's population is established.

Antecedent boundary

A boundary drawn before the cultural landscape forms.

Geometric boundary

A boundary based on straight lines or latitude/longitude.

Consequent boundary

A boundary drawn to match cultural differences.

Demilitarized zone (DMZ)

An area where no military forces are allowed.

Buffer state

A weaker state between two stronger states that reduces conflict.

Satellite state

A state heavily controlled by another more powerful state.

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

The international rules for ocean rights and boundaries.

Exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

Sea zone where a state controls resources up to 200 nautical miles.

Arctic Circle

The region around the North Pole often involved in territorial claims.

Electoral geography

The study of how political boundaries affect elections.

Voting district

A geographic area that elects a representative.

Electoral College

The system that elects the U.S. president.

Reapportionment

Reassigning representation based on population changes.

Redistricting

Redrawing voting district boundaries.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a political group.

Packing

Concentrating voters of one type into a single district.

Cracking

Splitting voters of one type across districts to weaken them.

Subnational units

Smaller political divisions within a state (like states or provinces).

Unitary state

A state where the central government holds most power.

Federal state

A state where power is shared between central and regional governments.

Irredentism

A country claiming territory based on shared culture or history.

Terrorism

Violence used to create fear for political goals.

International terrorism

Terrorism where attackers or targets cross borders.

Domestic terrorism

Terrorism carried out within one country.

State terrorism

Terrorism committed by a government against its own people.

Subnational terrorism

Terrorism by a group within a state, not the government.

ETA

A Basque separatist group seeking independence from Spain.

Democratization

The process of becoming more democratic.

Supranationalism

When multiple countries work together politically or economically.

Supranational organization

An international group of countries cooperating for common goals.

United Nations (UN)

Organization promoting peace, security, and cooperation.

European Union (EU)

European organization for economic and political unity.

African Union (AU)

A regional organization promoting unity and development in Africa.

Arctic Council

An organization for cooperation among Arctic nations.

Regional trading bloc

A group of countries that reduce trade barriers among members.

Economies of scale

Lower costs when production increases.

North American Free Trade Agreement/United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (NAFTA-USMCA)

Trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

A regional group for economic and political cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Failed state

A state whose government has collapsed and cannot function.

Uneven development

Unequal economic conditions within a state.

Allegiance

Loyalty to a state or group.

Equitable infrastructure

Fair and equal access to roads, utilities, and services.

Cultural cohesion

Shared cultural unity that keeps a state stable.

Iconography

Images and symbols used to represent a nation.