AP Human Geo 4.1 - 4.10

State: Political unit with permanent population, sovereign territory, recognition, effective government, and economy.
Nation: Group sharing culture, loyalty, homeland, and desire for self-determination.
Nation-State: Country with a culturally homogeneous population (e.g., Japan, Iceland).
Stateless Nation: Nation without sovereignty over its land (e.g., Palestinians, Kurds).
Multinational State: State containing multiple nations, potentially leading to separatism.
Multistate Nation: Nation living in multiple states (e.g., Koreans, Germans).
Autonomous Region: Area with high self-government degree (e.g., Greenland, Native American Reservations).
Semiautonomous Region: Area with some self-governance but not complete power (e.g., Hong Kong, Wales).

Sovereignty: Full governing power without external interference.
Self-Determination: Right to choose sovereignty without interference.
Colonialism: Nation assuming control over another.
Imperialism: Policy of extending power through force, driving colonialism.
Independence Movements: Efforts to gain political independence.
Devolution: Transfer of power from central to subnational government levels, driven by various factors.

Political Power: Control over people, land, resources.
Authoritarian: Strong central power, no accountability, few freedoms (e.g., dictatorships).
Republic: Power resides in voting citizens, exercised by elected representatives (e.g., US, Germany).
Colonialism: Historical expansion for religious, economic, and political influence.
Neocolonialism: Indirect control over developing countries via economic/political pressure.
Shatterbelts: Unstable regions between differing areas (e.g. Balkans, Caucasus).
Choke Points: Strategic, narrow passages, control is critical (e.g., Strait of Malacca, Strait of Hormuz).
Territoriality: Connection of people/culture/economy to land, desire for ownership and defense of space.

Boundaries reflect negotiated or imposed power balances.
Definition: Described in a legal document.
Delimitation: Line drawn on map.
Demarcation: Altering the landscape.
Administration: How the boundary is maintained.
Natural Boundaries: Follow natural landscape (e.g., rivers, mountains).
Geometric Boundaries: Straight lines without regard to physical/cultural features.
Relic Boundaries: No longer function but leave cultural imprint (e.g., former East/West Germany).
Superimposed Boundaries: Imposed by outside powers, ignoring cultural patterns (e.g., Partition of India).
Subsequent Boundaries: Accommodate existing cultural differences.
Antecedent Boundaries: Existed before cultural landscape emerged.
Consequent Boundaries: Drawn to accommodate cultural differences (cultural boundaries).
Militarized Boundaries: Heavily guarded.
Open Boundaries: Unimpeded crossing (e.g., Schengen Zone).

International boundaries define sovereignty limits, can cause disputes.
UNCLOS: Establishes states' rights/responsibilities concerning seas.
- Territorial Sea: 12 NM, sovereignty.
- Contiguous Zone: Additional 12 NM, enforce laws.
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 200 NM, control economic resources.
- High Seas: Beyond EEZ, open to all states.

Unitary States: Centralized power, uniform policies (e.g., China, France).
Federal States: Shared power between central and local governments (e.g., US, Germany, Canada).

Devolution: Transfer of power from central government.
Factors: Physical geography, ethnic separatism, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, economic/social problems, irredentism.

Devolution can challenge state sovereignty when:
- States grant autonomy.
- Subnational units are created.
- States disintegrate.
Supranational Organizations: Organizations of three or more states for mutual benefit, limiting state sovereignty (e.g., UN, NATO, EU).

Centripetal Forces: Promote state unity (e.g., education, legal system, infrastructure).
Centrifugal Forces: Pull states apart (e.g., uneven development, minority concentration, ineffective government), can lead to failed states or separatist movements.