AP Human Geo CH.8 (non-textbook terms)

Supranationalism

three or more countries form an alliance for mutual benefit, pooling sovereignty to create shared policies for economic, political, or military goals

Autonomous Region

a defined area within a country that has significant self-governance, managing its own affairs (like culture, education, or healthcare) with considerable independence from the central government, often due to unique ethnic, historical, or cultural identities, balancing local control with being part of a larger state

Semi-Autonomous Regions

a territory within a larger state that possesses a moderate degree of self-governance and authority over internal affairs, such as laws, education, and resources, but remains ultimately subject to the central national government, which retains control over key aspects like defense, foreign policy, and currency

Imperialism

a powerful state extending its rule over another territory for economic, political, and cultural control

Neocolonialism

the continued economic, political, or cultural control of former colonies or less developed countries (LDCs) by powerful core nations or corporations

Shatterbelts

a region caught between larger, competing powers, experiencing intense political, economic, and cultural pressures, leading to instability, fragmentation, and conflict

Choke Points

narrow, strategic geographic locations (like straits or canals) that control major transportation routes, significantly impacting global trade, energy flow, and military movement, giving controlling states immense political and economic power

Territoriality

the concept of people, groups, or states asserting control and ownership over specific geographic areas, establishing boundaries, and influencing people/resources within those spaces

Devolution

the transfer of political power, authority, and responsibility from a central government to regional or local governments, granting them more autonomy over their own affairs like education, healthcare, or resources

Ethnic Separatism

a political movement where an ethnic group seeks to break away from a state to form their own independent country or gain significant autonomy, driven by distinct cultural identity

Irredentism

a nationalist movement where a state seeks to reclaim territory inhabited by people of the same ethnicity, culture, or history, aiming to unite them into a "Greater X," often causing border disputes, devolutionary pressure, or conflict

Democratization

The process where a country shifts from an authoritarian or non-democratic government to a system where power rests with the people, involving free elections, civil liberties (like free speech), rule of law, and greater citizen participation, often happening in waves and influenced by economic, social, and cultural factors

Ethnonationalism

A belief that a nation should be defined by a single ethnic group with shared culture, language, and ancestry, leading to political movements seeking self-determination, autonomy, or their own state

Relic Boundary

A former border that no longer functions as a political line but remains visible on the landscape or in culture

Superimposed Boundary

A political border forced onto a region by an outside power, completely ignoring existing cultural, ethnic, or social patterns, often leading to conflict as it splits communities or forces rival groups together, a common result of colonialism

Subsequent Boundary

A political border drawn after people have already settled an area, evolving with the cultural landscape to reflect ethnic, linguistic, or religious differences, often emerging from negotiation or conflict between groups

Antecedent Boundary

A political border drawn before a region becomes heavily populated or culturally distinct

Geometric Boundary

A political border drawn as a straight line or simple geometric shape (like a square or arc) on a map, ignoring physical features (rivers, mountains) or cultural divisions (ethnic groups, languages)

Consequent Boundary

A political border drawn to accommodate existing cultural, ethnic, or linguistic differences, like religion or language, between groups in an area, rather than imposed arbitrarily

Defined Boundary

A specific, legally established line (often in treaties or laws) that sets the precise limits of a country, state, or political area, clearly showing where one jurisdiction ends and another begins, essential for sovereignty and governance

Delimited Boundary

A political border physically marked on the landscape with barriers like walls, fences, or signs, making it clearly visible and established on the ground to show where one territory ends and another begins, defining different areas of governance and control

Demilitarized Boundary

A strip of land between rival countries or groups where military forces, weapons, and activities are forbidden by treaty

Exclusive Economic Zones

A sea area extending 200 nautical miles from a country's coast where that nation has special rights to explore, use, and manage marine resources like fish, oil, and gas, balancing national economic interests with international waters