AP Human Geography Unit 4 Review Notes

  • State: A geographic area with a permanent population, defined borders, a sovereign government, and recognition by other states.

  • Nation: A group of people with shared culture, history, homeland, and desire for self-determination.

  • Self-determination: The right or desire of a nation to self-govern.

  • States reference government and land; nations reference people with shared culture and history.

Political Entities

  • Nation-State: A self-governing state with a uniform population sharing a common culture and history (e.g., Japan, Iceland).

  • Multinational State: A state with multiple nations within its borders (e.g., Canada).

  • Multistate Nation: A nation existing across multiple states (e.g., Kurdish population).

  • Stateless Nation: A nation without an officially recognized state (e.g., Kurds, Basques).

  • Autonomous Region: A region with a degree of independence and self-rule (e.g., Native American reservations).

  • Semi-Autonomous Region: A region with moderate self-governance controlled by another state (e.g., Hong Kong).

Colonialism and Imperialism

  • Colonialism: Acquiring territories for political, economic, and social control.

  • Imperialism: Growing a state by exerting force over other nations for power without settlement.

  • Colonialism and imperialism led to the diffusion of cultures, resources, and ideas.

  • Berlin Conference: European powers colonized Africa, creating boundaries benefiting Europeans and leading to conflict in new states.

  • Decolonization: Colonies gaining independence, often with continued dependence and conflicts over colonial-era boundaries.

Devolution

  • Devolution: The transfer of political power from a central to a regional government (e.g., UK).

Political Power and Territoriality

  • Territoriality: Establishing and defending a geographic area.

  • Neocolonialism: Indirect use of power to control another country (e.g., China's investments in Africa).

  • Shatter Belt: A region subject to pressures from conflicting external powers (e.g., Eastern Europe during the Cold War).

  • Choke Points: Geographic areas needed to reach a destination (e.g., Panama Canal).

Political Boundaries

  • Defining: Boundary line is agreed upon and set.

  • Delimiting: Boundary line is drawn on a map.

  • Demarcating: Boundary is marked with physical markers.

Types of Boundaries

  • Geometric Boundary: Straight lines (e.g., 49th parallel).

  • Antecedent Boundary: Existed before settlement (e.g., Argentina and Chile).

  • Relic Boundary: No longer recognized but still affects the landscape (e.g., Berlin Wall).

  • Superimposed Boundary: Created by an external power (e.g., Berlin Conference boundaries).

  • Subsequent Boundaries: Develop along with the landscape (e.g., Europe's boundaries).

  • Consequent Boundary: Separates ethnic groups (e.g., Pakistan and India).

  • Frontier: Area where no state has direct control.

Functions of Boundaries

  • International Boundaries: Separate sovereign states.

  • Internal Boundaries: Separate regions within a state.

Boundary Disputes

  • Definitional: Over interpretation of boundary documents.

  • Locational: Over the location of the boundary.

  • Operational: Over how to manage a boundary.

  • Allocational: Over resource use on the boundary.

UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)

  • Established in 1985 to resolve sea boundary disputes.

  • Territorial Waters: 12 nautical miles; states set laws.

  • Contiguous Zone: 12-24 nautical miles; states enforce laws.

  • Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 24-200 nautical miles; states control resources.

  • International waters beyond EEZ have no state control.

Internal Boundaries

  • Established by state governments (e.g., US Congressional Districts).

Redistricting and Gerrymandering

  • Gerrymandering: Redistricting to favor a party.

    • Cracking: Diluting votes across districts.

    • Packing: Stacking votes into a few districts.

  • Gerrymandering leads to unfair representation.

Forms of Government

  • Unitary State: Centralized power (smaller, homogenous states).

  • Federal State: Distributed power (larger, diverse states).

Devolution Factors

  • Physical Geography: Fragmented states lead to cultural differences.

  • Cultural Divisions: Ethnic groups wanting autonomy.

    • Ethnic Separatism: Identifying with an ethnic group, wanting separation (e.g., Basques, Kurds).

  • Political Instability: High crime rates increase demands for intervention.

  • Economic and Social Inequalities: Lack of opportunities frustrates citizens.

  • Government Corruption and Abuse: Ethnic cleansing leads to pressure for change (e.g., Rohingya in Myanmar).

  • Irredentism: Uniting a nation across state boundaries (e.g., Ukrainian-Russian war).

  • More devolutionary factors challenge sovereignty.

Challenges to State Sovereignty

  • States may disintegrate (e.g., Sudan and South Sudan).

  • Technology: Easy information sharing challenges control (e.g., Arab Spring).

  • Globalization challenges sovereignty.

  • Supernational Organizations: Alliances sacrificing some autonomy (e.g., UN, EU).

Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

  • Centrifugal Forces: Divide people (e.g., uneven development, cultural differences).

    • Failed State: A state that no longer has a functioning government and loses authority over the land as they cannot perform it's basic duty.

    • Ethnic Nationalist Movement: A specific cultural group wants to be separate or wants control