UNIT 2 GEOGRAPHY VOCAB

unit 2 vocabulary stanford 2025

Natural Boundries

Geographical features such as rivers, mountains, or valleys that serve as effective barriers to separate regions or countries.

geometric boundaries

Boundaries that are defined by straight lines or arcs, often based on latitude and longitude, rather than natural features.

Democracy

A system of government in which the power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

theocracy

A form of government in which a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, with religious leaders serving as the representatives of that deity.

traditional monarchy

A form of government where a single person, the monarch, rules the nation, often inherited and operating based on established customs and laws.

constitutional monarchy

A form of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government, often including an elected parliament.

republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a "public matter" and is not the private concern or property of the rulers, typically involving elected representatives.

totalitarianism

A political system where the state holds total authority over society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life.

dictatorship

A form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small click often characterized by authorization rule and limited political freedoms

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided and shared between a central authority and regional government

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to favor, one political party or group over others

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion, and pride, and one nation and the promotion of its interest above those of other nations

Patriotism

The feeling of love, loyalty and support for one's country

Imperialism

A policy where a country extends its power and control over other territories or nations often through colonization or military force

Colonization

The process by which a country establishes control over a foreign land and it's people often settling there and exploiting its resources

The Berlin conference

A meeting in 1884 to 1885 where European powers divided Africa to colonies without consider considering African people's interests

The scramble for Africa

The rapid invasion occupation and division of African territory by European powers during the late 19 century

Linguistic group

A community of people who share the same language or dialect

Arab spring

A series of protests in uprising across Arab countries starting in 2010 demanding political change in greater freedoms

Censorship

The practice of suppressing or controlling information ideas or speech that is considered offensive to or harmful by authorities

Self-determination

The right of a people or nation to decide their own political status and govern themselves without outside interference

Supernationalism

When countries join together and share some of their powers with a higher authority to make decisions for the group

Apartheid

A system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by law, especially in South Africa that separated people based on race

Genocide

The intentional killing or destruction of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic national or religious group

Geopolitics

The study of how geography influences one countries, politics, and power on the global stage