Unit 4 AP HG Study Guide

To help study for test on 12/13/24

State

A political unit with a permanent population and recognized boundaries that allows for the administration of laws, collection of taxes, and provision of defense.

Nation

A group of people who share a common culture, history, and desire for political autonomy.

Nation-state

A state populated predominantly by a single nation, where the state and national identity coincide.

Stateless nation

A nation that does not have its own independent state.

Multi-national state

A state that contains two or more nations.

Autonomous region

An area that governs itself but is not an independent country.

Sovereignty

The final authority over a territory and the right to defend its territorial integrity.

Colonialism

Rule by an autonomous power over a subordinate people and place, creating unequal cultural and economic relations.

Imperialism

The drive toward the creation and expansion of an empire, and its perpetuation once established.

Self-determination

The process by which a country determines its own statehood and forms its own government.

Authoritarian government

A government with a strong central power and no constitutional accountability.

Democracy

A system of government in which power resides with the majority.

Gerrymander

Redistricting that is unfair and gives an advantage to a particular political party.

Unitary state

A state governed as a single unit where local authorities only have power granted by the central government.

Federal state

A state with a division of powers between a central government and local territories.

Devolution

The transfer of decision-making power from a central government to a lower level.

Supranationalism

An alliance formed by three or more states for mutual benefit, which can limit the actions of member states.

Centrifugal forces

Forces within a state that destabilize or weaken it.

Centripetal forces

Forces within a state that promote unity and national stability.

International agreements

Formal commitments between countries that encourage or discourage interaction.

Neocolonialism

Indirect control through economic or political pressures to influence other countries.

Demilitarized zone (DMZ)

A buffer zone created by treaties between military powers, falling on either side of an actual boundary.

semi-autonomous region:

an area which can govern itself in certain areas, but does not have complete power to govern

independence movements

an area that believes that it should be its own country

republic

government where power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected representatives responsible to them and governing according to law

Boundaries

Invisible lines that define the territory of a state, indicating the limits of government jurisdiction.

Laws of the Sea

International regulations that govern the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans, including territorial waters, navigational rights, and marine resources.

Shatterbelt

A region that is politically fragmented and strategically located, often experiencing geopolitical tensions and conflicts.

Choke Points

Narrow passages or strategic routes that can significantly impact trade and military movements, often subject to control or conflict.

Territorial Sea

The part of the ocean adjacent to a country's coast, extending up to 12 nautical miles, in which the state has sovereignty.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

A sea zone extending 200 nautical miles from the coastline, where a state has special rights to explore and exploit marine resources.

High Seas

The open ocean beyond the jurisdiction of any country, where no state has sovereignty and is governed by international law.

Baseline

The line from which the width of the territorial sea is measured, often the low-water line along the coast.

International Waters

Areas of the ocean not owned by any one country, usually beyond the EEZ, where navigation and fishing are free for all.

Customary Boundary

The unofficial borders recognized through long-standing practices and traditions rather than formal treaties.

Geometric Boundary

Boundaries defined by latitude and longitude using geometric principles, often related to surveys.

Natural Boundary

Boundaries that follow physical features of the landscape, such as rivers or mountains.

Artificial Boundary

Boundaries that are drawn without regard to natural features, often established by treaties or negotiations.

Political Boundary

Lines that define the geographic limits of political entities, such as cities, states, or countries.