unit 4 ap human geography

Political Geography

Study of power dynamics over territory.

Political Maps

Maps reflecting countries' interpretations of boundaries.

Sovereignty

Government's right to control its territory.

Legitimacy

Recognition of a state's authority by others.

States

Defined territories with stable populations and governments.

Nations

Groups sharing cultural heritage and loyalty.

Nation-State

State primarily composed of one nation.

Stateless Nation

Nation without sovereignty over a territory.

Multi-National States

Countries with multiple national groups within borders.

Multistate Nation

Nationality spread across multiple states.

Irredentism

Desire to unite ethnically related groups into one state.

Kurds

Ethnic group concentrated in Turkey, Iran, Iraq.

Palestinians

People without a sovereign state in Israel.

Cultural Heritage

Shared traditions and beliefs of a nation.

Self-Determination

Desire of a nation to form its own state.

Effective Government

Government capable of maintaining order and services.

Working Economy

Economic system that provides for the population.

Historical Conflicts

Past disputes affecting current national relations.

Language Diversity

Presence of multiple languages within a state.

Customs

Traditions and practices of a cultural group.

Religious Diversity

Variety of religions practiced within a state.

Boundaries

Invisible lines that define areas and limits.

Defined Boundaries

Legally documented boundaries with specific parameters.

Delimited Boundaries

Defined boundaries formalized on a physical map.

Demarcated Boundaries

Physical markers indicating boundary locations.

Administered Boundaries

Boundaries controlled by government for regulation.

International Boundaries

Limits of state sovereignty, often disputed.

Political Boundaries

Boundaries reflecting power balances, not cultural patterns.

Relic Boundaries

Historical boundaries that no longer function formally.

Superimposed Boundaries

Boundaries imposed by external powers on regions.

Antecedent Boundaries

Boundaries existing before current cultural landscapes.

Territorial Sea

First 12 miles of sea from a country's shore.

Contiguous Zone

Second 12 miles where laws can be enforced.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Area extending 200 miles for economic activities.

UN Conventions on Laws of the Sea

International laws governing maritime boundaries and rights.

Cultural Landscape

Physical landscape shaped by human activity and culture.

Sovereignty

Supreme authority within a territory.

Checkpoints

Locations for monitoring travel across boundaries.

Toll Monitors

Devices or personnel enforcing tolls at boundaries.

Disputes

Conflicts arising from boundary disagreements.

Imprint

Cultural remnants of former boundaries on landscapes.

Geometric Boundaries

Boundaries formed by straight lines, ignoring physical features.

Subsequent Boundaries

Boundaries established after initial settlements.

Consequent Boundaries

Boundaries considering cultural divides like religion.

Berlin Conference

1884 meeting to divide Africa among European powers.

Treaty of Versailles

1920 treaty redrawing European and Middle Eastern borders.

Establishment of Israel

1948 creation of Israel led to regional conflict.

Decolonization

Post-WWII independence movements against colonial powers.

Neocolonialism

Indirect control through economic and cultural influence.

Sovereignty

State's authority to control its borders and governance.

Balkanization

Fragmentation of a state into smaller hostile entities.

Devolution

Transfer of power from central to regional governments.

Autonomous Regions

Regions with self-governing powers within a state.

Centrifugal Forces

Factors causing divisions within a state.

Choke Points

Strategic narrow passages controlling trade routes.

Shatterbelts

Regions caught between conflicting geopolitical interests.

Andes Mountains

Natural boundary between Argentina and Chile.

US-Canada Border

Geometric boundary between the United States and Canada.

Berlin Wall

Barrier dividing East and West Berlin post-WWII.

Ireland-Northern Ireland Border

Cultural boundary reflecting religious divisions.

Quebec

Semi-autonomous region in Canada with French heritage.

Catalonia

Semi-autonomous region in Spain with distinct identity.

Flanders

Region in Belgium with linguistic and cultural differences.

Native American Reservations

Lands designated for Native American governance.

Economic Disagreements

Conflicts over taxes or trade affecting state unity.

Ethnic Separatism

Groups seeking political independence from others.

Ethnic Cleansing

Violent elimination of minority ethnic groups.

Terrorism

Violence to force political change within a country.

Irredentism

Reclaiming traditional homelands for ethnic groups.

Shatterbelt

Region under stress from conflicting external forces.

Maritime Chokepoints

Strategic locations restricting transportation routes.

Political Power

Influence exerted through control of resources.

Energy Market Dynamics

Prices fluctuate based on transport route reliability.

Piracy Vulnerability

Oil tankers at risk of theft and attacks.

Shipping Accidents

Incidents causing oil spills and environmental damage.

Supranationalism

Alliance of three or more countries for cooperation.

Cultural Alliance

Collaboration based on shared cultural interests.

Economic Alliance

Partnerships formed for mutual economic benefits.

Military Alliance

Cooperation among nations for defense purposes.

Rerouting Consequences

Detours can significantly increase transit times.

Fragmentation

Breakdown of cohesion due to rivalries.

Supranationalism

Cooperation among states for common goals.

Economic Involvement

Increased trade and economic collaboration among nations.

Military Alliances

Agreements for mutual defense against threats.

Transnational Environmental Challenges

Issues requiring cooperation beyond national borders.

United Nations (UN)

International organization promoting peace and cooperation.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Military alliance for collective defense among member states.

European Union (EU)

Political and economic union of European countries.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Regional organization promoting economic and political cooperation.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Group coordinating petroleum production and pricing.

African Union

Continental union promoting unity and cooperation in Africa.

Unitary Government

Centralized government with power concentrated at the top.

Federal Government

Power divided between central and regional authorities.

Centralized Power

Concentration of authority in a single governing body.

Political Sub-units

Provinces or regions with limited autonomy.

Advantages of Unitary States

Fewer agencies lead to less bureaucracy.

Disadvantages of Unitary States

Less responsive to local needs and concerns.

Current Unitary States

Countries like China and North Korea with centralized power.

Federal System Characteristics

Central government manages national interests; states retain autonomy.

Examples of Federal Responsibilities

Defense, foreign affairs, currency, and trade management.