Ap Human geography Unit 4

Autonomous region

An area of a country that has a degree of autonomy or freedom from an external authority. Example: Kurds' control of a region in northern Iraq.

Antecedent boundary

A political boundary that existed before present settlement occurred and the cultural landscape emerged.

Centripetal forces

An attitude or factor that tends to unify people and enhance support for a state.

Centrifugal forces

An attitude or factor that tends to divide people and create opposition

City-state

A city with political and economic control over the surrounding countryside.

Cultural boundary

A boundary based on human traits or behavior. Example: Pakistan and India.

Defined boundary

A boundary established by a legal document such as a treaty that divides entities (an invisible line).

Delimited boundary

A boundary drawn on a map to show the limits of a space.

Demarcated boundary

A boundary identified with physical objects

Devolution

The transfer of power from central government to regional governments. Example: In the UK

Choke points

Strategic locations such as narrow waterways vulnerable to military blockades.

Enclaves

A country or part of a country surrounded by another. Example: Lesotho.

Exclaves

A part of a country separated from the main territory and surrounded by foreign territory. Example: Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.

Federal State

A political system where power is divided between a central government and regional governments.

Apartheid

The system of racial segregation in South Africa from the 1940s to 1990

Geopolitics

The study of international political relations and environmental contexts.

Geometric boundary

A boundary formed as a straight line regardless of physical features. Example: The boundary between Egypt and Libya.

Gerrymandering

The process of redrawing legislative boundaries to benefit the party in power.

Imperialism

A policy of dominating other countries politically

Irredentism

One country trying to annex territory in another due to cultural or ethnic ties. Example: Nazi Germany expanding its borders to include German-speaking areas.

Balkanization

The process of a state breaking down due to ethnic conflicts. Example: Yugoslavia.

Borderland

A region straddling both sides of an international boundary with overlapping cultures.

Multinational state

A state that includes more than one nation. Example: The Soviet Union.

Nation-State

A state where the population shares common culture and history. Example: Japan.

Natural boundary

A boundary based on physical features such as rivers or mountains.

Open boundary

A boundary allowing free movement of people. Example: European Union countries.

Relic boundary

A boundary no longer functional but visible in the cultural landscape. Example: The Berlin Wall.

Self-determinism

The right of a group to govern themselves.

Shatter belts

Regions fragmented by conflict or cultural rivalry.

Sovereignty

The ability of a state to govern itself free of external control.

State

A formal term for a country with defined borders and a sovereign government.

Stateless nation

An ethnic group or nation without a state. Example: The Kurds.

Subsequent boundary

A boundary developed with cultural evolution. Example: Irish Catholic and Protestant areas of Ireland.

Superimposed boundary

A boundary created by outsiders that ignores existing cultural divisions.

Supranational organization

An organization where multiple nations work together on common goals. Example: The European Union.

Buffer state

A weaker independent state between two powers to reduce conflict.

Unitary state

A state system where central government holds the majority of power.

Berlin Conference

A meeting where European powers divided claims in Africa.

Cold War

The period of political and military tension between the US and the Soviet Union (1945–1991).

Decolonization

The process of colonies becoming independent nations.

Neocolonialism

Economic dominance by powerful nations over developing ones

Nation

A group of people with shared culture

Multistate nation

A nation that spans across multiple states. Example: North and South Korea.

Colonialism

The practice of establishing settlements to exert control.

Consequent boundary

A boundary drawn to align with cultural differences. Example: Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Ethnic cleansing

The extermination of an entire group or population.

Ethnonationalism

Nationalism based on ethnic identity.

European Union

An international organization promoting cooperation and trade among European countries.

UNCLOS

A code of maritime law defining zones such as territorial waters and exclusive economic zones.

Ethnic separatism

A group's desire for autonomy within a dominant culture.

Landlocked

Surrounded by land with no ocean access.

Median-line principle

Dividing boundaries based on the midpoint between entities.

Heartland Theory

Halford Mackinder’s idea that control over Eurasia leads to global dominance.

Rimland Theory

Nicholas Spykman’s theory that dominating Eurasia's coastal areas is key to world power.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Maritime zones extending 200 nautical miles for mineral and fishing rights.

Demilitarized zone

An area where military activity is prohibited. Example: North and South Korea border.

Semi-autonomous region

A region with partial self-governance.

Terrorism

Acts of violence to achieve ideological or political goals.

United Nations

An international organization promoting peace and cooperation.

USMCA

A trade agreement updating NAFTA to enhance trade and job opportunities.