APHug Unit 4 Political Geography All Terms

antecedent boundary

A boundary that was created before the cultural landscape emerged.

the 49th parallel separating the United States and Canada is an example b/c its drawn when the region was sparsely populated.

autonomous region

A region that has a degree of self-governance, or autonomy, from a larger political entity.

Hong Kong, China: Operates under a "one country, two systems" model, allowing it to maintain its own legal, economic, and political systems.

Berlin Conference

A meeting in 1884-1885 where European nations negotiated and formalized their colonial claims in Africa.

ex: the entire continent was partitioned, leading to the "Scramble for Africa" and the exploitation of resources is an example because they wanted Africa

choke point

A strategic narrow route providing passage through or to another region.

Egypt's control of the Suez Canal is an example because it connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red sea

colonialism

The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

the British Empire is an ex. b/c it colonized vast areas, spreading the English language and legal systems globally.

consequent boundary

A boundary that is established based on the cultural landscape, such as language or religion.

ex: India and Pakistan (1947) b/c it Drawn based on religious lines

defined boundary

A boundary that is established by a legal document or treaty.

49th Parallel boundary between the U.S. and Canada, which was defined in treaties to run along a specific latitude.

demarcated boundary

A boundary that is marked by physical objects such as fences or walls.

Berlin Wall A, physical wall that formerly separated East and West Germany.

demilitarized zone

An area where military forces are prohibited, often established by treaty.

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a buffer zone separating North and South Korea.

delimited boundary

A boundary that is drawn on a map.

the 49th parallel separating the US and Canada because its often marked by lines, not physical walls.

Devolution

The transfer of power from a central government to regional or local governments.

The establishment of the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales in the late 1990s transferred legislative power from London to regional governments.

exclusive economic zone

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

United States EEZ, which includes territories like Guam and Puerto Rico, or the resource-rich North Sea.

federal state

A country where political power is shared between a central government and regional governments, allowing each level to have authority over certain policy areas. This structure promotes decentralization and accommodates regional differences.

U.S. is an ex. b/c the central government in Washington D.C. handles national issues, while 50 states manage local affairs like education and police, allowing for varied laws

geometric boundary

A boundary that follows a geometric pattern, often a straight line.

North/South Korea (38th Parallel): A straight-line, heavily fortified border separating the two nations.

gerrymandering

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

North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District in the 1990s, which was drawn in a thin, snake-like shape along Interstate 85 to connect urban minority voters.

imperialism

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

the Scramble for Africa because its where European powers carved up the continent at the Berlin Conference

independence movement

A movement aimed at achieving independence from another nation-state for a particular region or group.

Catalonia (Spain) b/c its a distinct region with its own language and culture seeking independence from the central Spanish government.

international waters

Waters that are not under the jurisdiction of any one country.

central Arctic Ocean, where overlapping claims by Russia, Canada, and others over resources are mediated by international law.

land boundary

A boundary that separates land areas.

Himalayas separating India and China.

maritime boundary

A boundary that separates the territorial waters of two or more states.

South China Sea conflict, where China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and others overlap claims to islands and economic zones (EEZs) for resources.

multistate nation

A nation that spans multiple states or countries.

the Kurds, an ethnic group spread across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria.

multinational state

A state that contains multiple nations or ethnic groups.

Canada, with its distinct English-speaking majority and significant French-speaking Quebecois nation,

nation

A large group of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, or history.

the Kurds are the most common example, acting as a distinct nation of people spread across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria

nation-state

A political entity characterized by a defined territory and a permanent population that shares a common identity.

Iceland b/c A small, isolated, and ethnically uniform population.

neocolonialism

The practice of using economic, political, and cultural pressures to control or influence other countries, especially former dependencies.

redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.

relic boundary

A boundary that no longer functions but can still be observed in the cultural landscape.

semi autonomous region

A region that has some degree of autonomy but is still governed by a larger political entity.

shatterbelt

A region caught between stronger colliding external cultural-political forces, under persistent stress.

sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

state

A politically organized territory with a permanent population and a defined territory.

stateless nation

A nation that does not have a state or recognized territory.

subsequent boundary

A boundary that is established after the cultural landscape has developed.

superimposed boundary

A boundary that is imposed on the cultural landscape, often without regard for existing patterns.

Territoriality

The connection of people, their culture, and their economic systems to the land.

territorial sea

The area of sea up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline of a coastal state, over which the state has sovereignty.

unitary state

A state governed as a single entity where the central government holds the majority of the power.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

An international agreement that establishes guidelines for the use of the world's oceans and marine resources.

voting district

A geographical area in which eligible voters reside and are represented by elected officials.

African Union

an organization that promotes unity, peace, and economic cooperation among African countries.

Arctic Council

An intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation in the Arctic region.

ASEAN

Association of Southeast Asian Nations- a regional organization that promotes political and economic cooperation, peace, and stability among Southeast Asian countries.

centrifugal force

A force that divides people and countries.

centripetal force

A force that unites people and countries.

cultural cohesion

The bond that holds a culture together.

democratization

The transition to a more democratic political regime.

economies of scale

cost advantages that businesses achieve as production increases, resulting in lower costs per unit.

ethnic cleansing

The systematic removal of an ethnic group from a territory.

ethnic nationalist movement

A movement aimed at promoting the interests of a particular ethnic group.

ethnic separatism

The advocacy for the separation of a particular ethnic group from a larger group.

ethnonationalism

Nationalism based on shared ethnicity.

European Union

A political and economic union of 27 European countries.

failed state

A state that cannot provide basic government services.

irredentism

The political principle of reclaiming lost territory.

military alliances

Agreements between countries for mutual defense.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

A military alliance of countries from North America and Europe.

supranational organizations

Entities formed by multiple countries that transcend national boundaries.

supranationalism

The idea of transcending national boundaries for cooperation.

terrorism

The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians.

trade agreements

Treaties between two or more countries to facilitate trade.

United Nations

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace and cooperation.