Political Geography Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from Political Geography lecture notes.

Country

Any political entity that is independent from the control of any other entity.

State

In global politics, it means a country. Must have a defined boundary, a permanent population, sovereignty, and recognition by other states.

Sovereignty

The power of a state to govern itself.

Nation

A group of people with shared culture, beliefs/values, a homeland they traditionally claim, and a desire for self-rule or their own state.

Nation-state

A nation of people who also have their own state.

Autonomous region

Part of a state, but has a lot of self-government. Usually geographically, ethnically, or culturally different from the rest of the state.

Semi-autonomous region

A region with some self-rule, but not full independence.

Stateless nation

A cultural group with no independent country of their own.

Multistate nation

A nation of people that has its own state but also lives in other countries.

Nationalism

A nation's desire to have its own state. Unifies people and strengthens a country.

Centripetal force

Unifies people and strengthens a country.

Centrifugal force

Divides a country.

Imperialism

Broad control over other countries through military, economic, or cultural power.

Colonialism

Involves settling and ruling land taken from another country.

Ecumene

Permanently inhabited parts of Earth.

Rural

Farms/villages, low population density.

Urban

Cities, high population density.

Suburbs

Residential areas near cities.

Urbanization

The process of developing and growing cities. Ongoing process that doesn’t stop once a city forms.

Site

Physical traits at the exact location (e.g., land, climate, labor, buildings).

Situation

Location relative to surroundings (e.g., near coast, railroad, resources).

City-state

Independent city + surrounding villages, with its own political system.