Political Geography Unit 4 Topic 1

These flashcards cover key concepts in Political Geography, focusing on definitions related to states, nations, and governance.

Political Geography

The study of how the world is divided and spatially organized by the exercise of political power.

State

A political unit that has power over a geographic territory defined by borders and contains a population.

Sovereignty

The right to determine what happens within its borders and defend its territory if necessary.

Nationalism

A sense of commonality among a people based on shared language, religion, social customs, often linked with a desire for territory.

Nation

A group of people who share a common language, history, and culture.

Nation-State

A state made up of a single, unified nation, where state boundaries are drawn around a single nation.

Stateless Nation

A group of people who share common cultural values and history but lack a formal state.

Multinational State

A state that contains multiple cultures and ethnicities within its boundaries.

Autonomous Regions

Regions within a state that have a great deal of authority to operate independently.

Semi-autonomous Regions

Regions within a state that have limited authority granted by the national government.