AP Hug Unit 4 Vocab Terms Politcial Geography

Part 1 & Part 2

State

A political entity with defined territory, population, government, and sovereignty (independence)

ex: Iraq, Canada

Nation

A large group sharing common traits (language, ethnicity, culture, history)

ex: Kurdish people

Nation-State

The fusion of these two; state and nation – a single nation inhabiting a single state, creating strong national identity. 

Stateless Nation

A group of people without a state who share a similar culture

Multi-national State

a sovereign country containing two or more distinct nationalities or ethnic groups

ex: United Kingdom, United States

Multi-state Nation

Includes one ethnic group that has been split between two or more states

ex: Kurds in Iran and Iraq

Autonomous Region

a part of a country given significant self-governance, allowing it to manage its own political, economic, and cultural affairs

-Self Independace

Nationalism

a strong sense of loyalty, devotion, and identification with one's nation

Centripetal Forces

A force that helps to unify people within a country

ex: strong allies, patriotism, good healthcare

Centrifugal Forces

A force that tends to divide people apart

ex: terrorism, racism, poor healthcare

Imperisalsm

Forceful extension of a country extending it’s power and influence over other countries-military

Colonialsm

establishment, exploration, maintenance, acquisition, and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another country

Neocolonialism

Use of economic, political,m cultural, or other pressures to control or influence other countries

Sovereignty

a state's supreme and independent authority to govern itself, control its own laws, policies, and borders, and manage its population without external interference

Territoriality

the concept of people or groups asserting control over a defined geographic area, establishing boundaries, and creating a sense of ownership, which influences power, identity, and resource management

Core

Highly developed country. They dominate global markets, control capital flows, and produce high-value goods and services. High technological advancements, and strong education.

ex: Tokyo, London

Periphery

A less economical developed nation or country, based in the primary sector, supply raw goods and labor, and reliant on core nations.

ex: parts of Latin America, and Asia

Semi-Periphery

Countries that have standard of living lower than those in the “core” but higher than those in the “periphery” Not as developed as Core, more developed as periphery.

-Mexcio, South Korea

Unitary State

State governed as a single entity in which the government is the supreme authority

es: Uk, China, Spain, Itay

Federal State

State that has a division of power between different levels of government

ex: U.S., Australia, Brazil, Russia

Devolution

the transfer of political power and authority from a central government to regional or local governments within a state

Shatterbelts

region caught between stronger colliding external cultural political forces, fragmented by aggressive rivals.

Choke Points

a narrow, strategic geographic passage (like a strait or canal) crucial for maritime trade and military movement

Majority-Minority District

geographically drawn political district (like for Congress or state legislature) where a racial or ethnic minority group forms over 50% of the population, often created through redistricting to ensure minority voices are heard

Gerrymandering

redrawing of a district line in favor of a specific political party

Reapportionment

constitutional process after the U.S. Census (every 10 years) of reallocating the 435 seats in the House of Representatives among the 50 states based on population shifts, meaning states losing population lose seats and gaining states gain, influencing political power and leading to the next step, redistricting, where new district lines are drawn within states. 

Geopolitics

Study of connections between spatial qualities of countries and international relations (polices play a role in geography)

Geometric Boundary

A boundary created by lines of latitude and longitude and their associated areas.

Physical Boundary

a natural barrier on Earth, like a mountain, river, or ocean, that separates two areas, often forming borders between countries, states, or regions

Antecedent Boundary

A political boundary that existed BEFORE the cultural landscape emerged and is often based on physical features

Subsequent Boundary

A boundary that is established after the settlement in that area occurred, developed with the evolution of the culture of the cultural landscape.

Relic Boundary

A boundary that has ceased to function but can still be the cultural landscape. No longer exists as an international boundary.

Superimposed Boundary

Political barriers drawn in an area with complete disregard for the cultural, religious, and ethnic divisions within the people living there.

Irredentism

a nationalist movement or policy where a state claims territory in another country, arguing it rightfully belongs to them due to shared ethnicity, culture, or historical ties, aiming to "redeem" or unite these lands, often fueling border disputes, political tensions, and conflicts

Definitioanl Boundary Dispute

Conflict over the language of the border agreement in a boundary contract

Operational Boundary Dispute

Dispute over management of a boundary

Allocational Boundary Dispute

Dispute over who owns the resources

Locational Boundary Dispute

Dispute over here a boundary is placed

Compact State

a state where the distance from the center to any border dose not vary significantly; roughly circular

ex: Poland, Kenya

Elongated State

State shape that has a long silver of land that extends far in one direction

ex: Chilie

Prorupted State

States that has an extension that protrudes from the main territory

ex: Thailand

Perforated State

A state that completely surrounds another state

ex: South Africa

Microstate

A sovereign state having a very small population or land area

Fragmented State

A state whose territory is physically divided into several distant segments

ex: Philippines

Supranationalsim

The process of nation states organizing politically and economically into one organization or alliance

Balkanization

The breakup of a larger country into smaller independent states, can become hostile to each other

ex: Yugoslavia