Human Geo Unit 4

state

the largest political unit, the formal term for country. it must have a defined boundary, contain a permanent population, maintains sovereignty over its domestic and international affairs, and be recognized by other states

nation

a group of people who share a common cultural heritage, a set of beliefs and values that unify them, a traditional claim to a particular space as their homeland, and a desire to establish their own state or express self rule in another way

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nation state 

a nation of people who fulfill the qualifications of a state. examples are iceland and japan

stateless nation

a cultural group that has no independent political entity. example is navajo

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multinational state 

a country that contains more than one nation

multi state nation

a nation has a state of its own but stretches across borders of other states. for examples, most hungarians live in hungary, but many live in the transylvania region of romania

autonomous region

a defined area within a state that has a high degree of self government and freedom from its parent state

semi autonomous region

an area of a state that has a degree of, but not full self rule

sovereignty

the power of a political unit, or government, to rule over its own affairs

self-determination

the right of a country to choose their own sovereign government without external influence

decolonization

the undoing of colonization, in which indigenous people reclaim sovereignty over their territory

genocide

organized mass killing in which people are targeted because of their race, religion, ethnicity, or nationality.

devolution

one or more regions are given increased autonomy by the central political unit

neocolonialism

a new system of colonialism in which economic, political, or cultural control was indirectly exerted over developing countries. for example, transnational corporations based in European countries continued to control the extraction of natural resources through mining and the export of coffee, cacao, bananas, and other crops on plantations in developing countries.

shatterbelt

a region that experiences intense political and cultural conflict due to its location between two or more powerful and opposing forces. This can result in instability, violence, and frequent changes in political boundaries.

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choke point

a place of physical congestion between wider regions of movement and interaction. examples are natural valleys, bridges, straits, or canals.

territoriality

the willingness by a person or a group of people to defend the space they claim

relic boundary

a boundary that no longer exists, but is still evident on the landscape. ie. the berlin wall

superimposed boundary

a boundary drawn by outside powers

subsequent boundary

a boundary drawn to accommodate religious, ethnic, linguistic, or economic differences. ie the boundary between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland **| this boundary is made when the cultural landscape is evolving and subject to change**

antecedent boundary

a boundary established before a large population was present. the boundary of the Pyranees mountains established between Spain and France

geometric boundary

a boundary that is a straight line or arc drawn by people that does not follow any physical feature closely. ie the boundary between US and Canada

consequent boundary

a type of subsequent boundary that takes into account existing culture or physical landscape. ie the boundary between India and Pakistan

defined boundary

a boundary established by a legal document, such as a treaty

delimited boundary

a boundary drawn on a map by a cartographer to show the limits of a space

demarcated boundary

a boundary identified by physical objects on a landscape such as a fence or wall

demilitarized zone

heavily guarded zone, usually a border area

Berlin Conference

a conference that paved the way for Africa’s colonization

maritime boundary

maritime boundary

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

a list of laws that was signed by more than 150 countries that addressed water boundaries. it defined four zones: territorial sea, contiguous zone, Exclusive economic zone, and high seas

international waters

waters not in any zone formed by UNCLOS

territorial sea

the first region of the UNCLOS that extended up to 12 nautical miles of sovereignty where commercial vessels may pass, but noncommercial vessels may be challenged

Exclusive economic zones

the third region of the UNCLOS. coastal states can explore, extract minerals, and manage natural resources up to 200 nautical miles

voting district

internal boundaries that divide a country’s electorate into subnational regions

Redistricting

state legislatures or state committees redrawing district boundaries so that each district contains roughly the same number of people

Gerrymandering

the drawing of boundaries for political districts by the party in power to protect or increase its power

unitary state

most or all of the governing power is held by the national government. examples are France, Japan, and Kenya

federal state

separates political identities into an overarching system that allows each entity to maintain some degree of sovereignty. Examples are Germany, US, and Nigeria

ethnic separatism

the advocacy of full political separation (or secession)) from the larger group along cultural, ethnic, tribal, or government lines. Ethnic groups and minorities are often concentrated in specific regions, which can lead to independence movements

ethnic cleansing

a purposeful policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove by violent or terror inspiring means the civilian population of another ethnic or religious group from certain geographic areas

terrorism

organized violence aimed at government and civilian targets to create fear for the advancement of political goals

irredentism

a movement to unite people who share a language or other cultural elements but are divided by a national boundary.

supranationalism

the practice of multiple countries forming an organization for the benefit of all members

democratization

the transition from autocratic to more representative forms of politics

economies of scale

The cost advantage that a company gains by producing more goods or services, resulting in lower costs per unit. As the output increases, the fixed costs are spread over a larger number of units, leading to increased efficiency and decreased average costs.

trade agreements

A pact between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate trade barriers, such as tariffs and quotas, to promote international trade and economic growth

military alliances

An agreement between two or more nations to provide mutual defense and support in the event of an attack

supranational organizations

Organizations formed by multiple countries to work together on specific issues, such as trade or security. Examples include the European Union and the United Nations.

United Nations

organization with 193 members to promote peace, security, and human rights

North Atlantic Treaty Organization 

organization with 30 members to provide mutual defense of member states

European Union

organization with 27 members to integrate member states politically and economically

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

organization with 10 countries from SE asia to advance economic growth, peace, social progress, and cultural and economic development in the region

Arctic Council

organization with 8 countries with territory in the arctic

African Union

organization with 55 members of all african countries to advocate peace, security, and stability on the continent through greater cooperation, economic development, and global integration

failed state

A state that has lost control over its territory and cannot provide basic services to its citizens, leading to social, economic, and political collapse.

ethnic nationalist movement

A political movement that advocates for the interests and rights of a specific ethnic group, often seeking to establish a separate and independent nation-state.

ethnonationalism

support for the political interests of a particular ethnic group within a state

infrastructure development 

The process of building and improving the physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. It includes the construction of roads, buildings, and utilities, as well as the creation of policies and procedures to ensure efficient and sustainable use of resources.

cultural cohesion

The shared sense of belonging and identity within a diverse community, characterized by mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation of different cultural practices and values.