Key Concepts in Political Geography: Boundaries, States, and Sovereignty

Autonomous region

An area within a state that has a significant degree of self-rule or independence from the central government.

Berlin Conference

An 1884-1885 meeting of European powers that divided Africa among themselves without African input, formalizing imperial control.

Choke point

A narrow passage (often a waterway) that is strategically important for trade and military transport.

Colonialism

The policy of controlling territory far from a country's borders to exploit resources and people.

Consequent boundary

A political boundary drawn to accommodate existing cultural differences (ex: religious or ethnic groups).

Demilitarized zone (DMZ)

A buffer area where military forces and weapons are prohibited.

Devolution

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

Federal state

A country where power is divided between a central government and smaller political units (ex: United States).

Gerrymandering

The drawing of political district boundaries to favor one political party or group.

Multinational state

A country that contains two or more ethnic or national groups (ex: Russia).

Multi-state nation

A nation that stretches across borders of multiple states (ex: Kurds).

Nation

A group of people who share common cultural traits such as language, religion, ethnicity, or history.

Nation-state

A state whose population is mostly made up of one nation (ex: Japan).

Relic boundary

A former boundary that no longer exists officially but still affects the cultural landscape (ex: the Berlin Wall).

Shatter belt

A politically unstable region caught between stronger competing powers.

Sovereignty

A state's ability to govern itself without outside interference.

State

A politically organized territory with a permanent population, defined borders, a government, and the ability to conduct foreign relations.

Stateless nation

A nation that does not have its own recognized state (ex: Palestinians, Kurds).

Subsequent boundary

A boundary created after cultural patterns were already established.

Superimposed boundary

A boundary imposed by outside powers, ignoring existing cultural landscapes (common in Africa).

Territoriality

The attempt by a group to control land and resources.

Unitary state

A country where the central government holds most of the power (ex: France).

UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)

An international agreement that sets rules for how countries use and control the world's oceans.