APHG unit 4

African Union

A continental union consisting of 55 African countries, established to promote unity and cooperation among member states, focusing on political and economic integration.

antecedent boundary

A boundary that existed before the cultural landscape emerged and often does not reflect the current cultural divisions.

Arctic Council

An intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation among Arctic states on issues such as sustainable development and environmental protection.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

A regional organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries that promotes political and economic cooperation and regional stability.

Autonomous region

A defined area within a country that has a degree of self-governance and local autonomy, often reflecting distinct cultural or ethnic identities.

Berlin Conference

A meeting in 1884-1885 where European powers divided Africa into colonies without considering indigenous cultures or boundaries.

centrifugal force

A factor that divides or pulls people apart within a state, often leading to conflict or fragmentation.

centripetal force

A force that unites people and enhances the stability of a state, promoting national unity and cohesion.

choke point

A strategic narrow passageway or area that can be easily blocked or controlled, often used in reference to maritime routes or land passages.

colonialism

The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country or territory, often involving the settlement of colonizers and exploitation of resources.

consequent boundary

A type of boundary that is established based on the cultural characteristics or social factors of the area, such as language, religion, or ethnicity.

cultural cohesion

The unity and solidarity among members of a cultural group, often resulting from shared values, beliefs, and practices.

defined boundary

A boundary that is clearly delineated and established through legal documents or treaties, often marked on maps.

delimited boundary

A boundary that is drawn on a map to indicate the extent of a territory, often based on a defined boundary but may not be legally recognized.

demarcerated boundary

A boundary that has been physically marked on the ground, often using fences, walls, or other markers to indicate the limits of a territory.

demilitarized zone

A region where military forces are prohibited, typically established by treaty to reduce tensions between conflicting parties. (ex. between north and south Korea)

democratization

The transition to a more democratic political system, involving the establishment of free and fair elections, political pluralism, and the protection of civil liberties.

devolution

The transfer of power and authority from a central government to regional or local governments, often to accommodate regional differences or demands for autonomy.

economies of scale

The cost advantages that enterprises obtain due to their scale of operation, with cost per unit of output generally decreasing with increasing scale as fixed costs are spread out over more units.

ethnic cleansing

The systematic removal or extermination of an ethnic or religious group from a particular area, often through violent means.

ethnic nationalist movement

A political movement aimed at promoting and protecting the interests of a specific ethnic group, often seeking greater autonomy or independence from larger political entities.

ethnonationalism

A form of nationalism where the nation is defined in terms of ethnicity, emphasizing the interests and culture of a specific ethnic group.

ethnic separatism

A political and social movement advocating for the separation of a specific ethnic group from a larger political entity, often aiming for self-determination or independence.

European Union

A political and economic union of 27 member states located primarily in Europe, aimed at fostering integration and cooperation among its members.

exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

A sea zone over which a state has special rights regarding exploration and use of marine resources, extending 200 nautical miles from its coastline.

failed state

A country with weak governance, where the government is unable to provide basic services, maintain order, or ensure the rule of law, often leading to internal conflict and instability.

federal state

A political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing regions or states under a central government.

geometric boundary

A boundary defined by straight lines or geometric shapes, rather than natural features.

gerrymandering

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

imperialism

Imperialism is when a country expands its power by taking control of other lands, usually for resources, trade, or political influence

independence movement

a political effort by a group of people or a region to gain freedom and self-rule from another country or governing power

infrastructure development

the process of building and improving basic facilities like roads, bridges, water supply, electricity, and communication systems to support economic growth and improve living conditions.

international waters

areas of the ocean that do not belong to any one country and are free for all nations to use for activities like fishing, shipping, and research.

irredentism

the political idea that a country should take back land that it believes rightfully belongs to it, usually because of shared history, culture, or ethnicity

land boundary

an official, invisible line that separates one country, state, or region from another on land

maritime boundary

an invisible line in the ocean that separates the areas where different countries have control over resources and activities like fishing and drilling

Military alliances

agreements between countries to support each other in defense and security, often by sharing resources, intelligence, or military forces Ex. NATO

multinational state

a country where multiple ethnic or cultural groups live together under one government Ex. Russia, India, Canada

Multistate nation

a group of people who share a common culture, language, or history but are spread across multiple countries Ex. Koreans, Arabs

nation

a group of people who share a common identity, culture, language, history, and sometimes a homeland. A nation does not always have its own country

nation-state

a country where the majority of people share a common culture, language, or ethnicity, and the boundaries of the state align with the territory of the nation Ex. Japan, Poland, Iceland

Neocolonialism

when a powerful country influences or controls a weaker country, not by direct rule, but through economic or political pressure Ex. trade, loans, corporate control

NATO

a military alliance of countries that agree to help each other defend against attacks. It was created to ensure security and peace, especially in Europe and North America.

redistricting

the process of changing the boundaries of electoral districts, usually after a census, to ensure that each district has roughly the same number of people. This is done to ensure fair representation in elections.

relic boundary

a border that once existed but no longer functions as a boundary due to political, social, or cultural changes. These boundaries may still be visible or recognized, even though they no longer have any legal or practical significance. Ex. The Berlin Wall

self-determination

the right of a people or nation to decide their own political status and governance without outside influence

semiautonomous region

an area within a country that has some degree of self-government, but still remains under the authority of the central government

shatter belt

a region that is highly unstable due to conflicts between different cultural, political, or economic influences Ex. The Balkans, The Middle East, Korean Peninsula

sovereignty

the full right and power of a country or government to rule itself without outside interference. It means having complete control over laws, policies, and decisions within its territory.

state