Geography and Political Boundaries Exam Review

Flashcards to help review key geographic and political concepts for the upcoming exam.

Shatterbelt region

An area that is politically fragmented and often experiences conflict due to its strategic location and cultural diversity.

Consequent boundary

A culturally defined political boundary that emerges due to the distribution of cultural or ethnic differences.

Relict boundary

A boundary that no longer functions as a political boundary, but still has some cultural or historical significance.

Superimposed boundary

A political boundary imposed on a region without consideration of existing cultural or ethnic groups.

Democratization

The process through which a country transitions from an authoritarian regime to a democratic political system.

Gerrymandering

The process of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

Centrifugal forces

Forces that divide or destabilize a state, such as ethnic conflict or economic disparity.

Centripetal forces

Forces that unite or stabilize a state, such as shared cultural or national identity.

Economic community

A group of countries that work together to promote trade and economic growth, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

A sea zone extending 200 nautical miles from a country's coastline, where the country has special rights to explore and exploit marine resources.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gain independence from colonial powers, often leading to the creation of new nation-states.

Ethnic state

A state primarily characterized by a single ethnic group, where the identity of the state coincides with the identity of the dominant ethnic group.

Unitary state

A type of government where power is concentrated in a central authority, with little or no autonomy given to subnational regions.

Federal state

A political entity characterized by a division of powers between a central government and regional governments.

Cultural boundaries

Boundaries that are based on cultural traits such as language, religion, or ethnicity.

Political redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to reflect changes in population and ensure fair representation.

Territorial sea

The 12-nautical-mile limit from a coast, where a state exercises sovereignty over waters and seabed.

Berlin Conference

A conference held in 1884-85 where European powers divided Africa into colonies, often disregarding existing ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Median-line principle

A rule for determining maritime boundaries when two countries have overlapping areas of continental shelf or exclusive economic zone.

Transnational corporation (TNC)

A company that operates in multiple countries, often influencing international economic policies and practices.

Cultural homogenization

The process through which local cultures are transformed or absorbed by a dominant culture, often through globalization.

Urbanization

The process of increasing population concentration in cities, often leading to economic and social changes.