Political Geography Vocabulary

Flashcards on Political Geography

Sovereignty

The power of a political unit to rule over its own affairs.

State

Has a defined boundary, contains a permanent population, maintains sovereignty, and is recognized by other states.

Nation

Share a common cultural heritage, have unifying beliefs and values, claim a homeland, and desire self-determination.

Nation-State

A nation with politically recognized boundaries; territory occupied by the group is the same as its political borders.

Stateless Nation

A nation without a state. Example: Kurds

Multistate Nation

A nation living in more than one country. Example: Koreans

Multinational State

A state with multiple nations within its borders. Example: Canada

Autonomous/Semi-Autonomous Region

A region with some authority to govern itself, but ultimately answerable to a national government. Example: American Indian Reservations