AP Human Geography Unit 4 Key Vocab

Nation-States

Political units characterized by defined territorial boundaries and a population that shares a common identity.

Stateless Nations

Cultural or ethnic groups that do not possess their own state and are often dispersed across multiple states.

Semi-Autonomous Regions

Areas that have a degree of self-governance but remain subject to the authority of a larger governing entity.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes loyalty and devotion to a nation, often leading to the desire for self-governance.

Berlin Conference

An 1884-1885 meeting of European powers to regulate colonial expansion in Africa.

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts in which two opposing countries or parties support combatants that serve their interests instead of waging war directly.

Satellite States

Independent nations under heavy political and economic influence or control by another country.

Ethnic Cleansing

The systematic removal or extermination of an ethnic group from a particular territory.

Choke Points

Strategically significant geographic features that can be easily controlled to restrict movement or access.

Relic

A boundary that has ceased to function but still holds significance in cultural or historical contexts.

Superimposed

Boundaries that are imposed on the cultural landscape without regard to existing patterns of human activity.

Subsequent

Boundaries that are established after the settlement of an area, reflecting the cultural landscape.

Militarized

Regions where military presence and activity are significant, often leading to heightened tension.

Open Boundary

A border that allows free movement of people across it with little or no regulation.

Consequent

Boundaries that are drawn to accommodate existing cultural or ethnic differences.

Exclusive Economic Zone

A sea zone prescribed by the United Nations that grants a state jurisdiction over marine resources.

Locational Boundary Disputes

Conflicts arising from disagreements about the locations of borders.

Allocational Boundary Disputes

Disputes over the resources that may lie in the overlapping areas of boundary regions.

Unitary State

A state governed as a single entity where central government holds primary power.

Irredentism

A political movement aimed at recovering and reuniting a territory culturally or historically linked to the nation.

Transnational Corporations

Companies that operate in multiple countries, influencing local economies and policies.

Supranationalism

A form of governance involving multiple countries that agree to delegate some of their powers to a higher authority.

Centrifugal Forces

Forces that tend to divide a country, such as internal religious, racial, or territorial conflicts.

Ethnonationalism

Nationalism based on ethnic identity, often leading to the assertion of national self-determination.