AMSCO AP Human Geography - Unit 4.4: Defining Political Boundaries

physical geographic boundaries

natural barriers between areas like mountains, deserts, or oceans

cultural boundaries

the division of people based on a cultural trait(s) such as language, religion, or ethnicity

antecedent boundary

a boundary created before civilizations were present

subsequent boundary

a boundary drawn to satisfy religious, ethnic, linguistic, or economic differences. Usually more recent cultural problems

ethnographic

relating to the idea of culture

superimposed boundary

a boundary drawn by foreign powers. Usually ignores cultural problems

Berlin Conference

a meeting during 1884-1885 where European powers divided and colonized the majority of Africa, leading to superimposed boundaries

landlocked states

states which are not connected to an ocean

relic boundary

a boundary that has been abandoned due to political reasons, but is still present on the landscape

geometric boundary

a straight line/arc that usually follows lines of latitude and longitude, but ignores physical features

consequent boundary

type of subsequent boundary that acknowledges existing cultural patterns or physical features. Usually associated with long-existing cultural problems such as Indian-Pakistan

cultural consequent boundary

a type of consequent boundary that acknowledges language, ethnicity, religion, or other cultural traits

physical consequent boundary

a type of consequent boundary that uses pre-existing natural features to divide territories

open boundary

a boundary which is unguarded and easily permeable, lacking political intervention

militarized boundary

a boundary which is heavily guarded and discourages crossing