APHUG UNIT 4 VOCABULARY

AP Human Geography Unit 4 Study Guide: Political Geography

This study guide summarizes the key concepts and vocabulary from AP Human Geography Unit 4: Political Geography. Make sure you review your notes and use the practice quizzes in the Ultimate Review Packet to solidify your understanding.

I. States vs. Nations

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

  • Sovereign government: Control over internal and external affairs.

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

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

II. Types of States

• Nation-state: A self-governing state with a relatively uniform population, often sharing a common language, culture, and history.

  • Examples: Japan, Iceland, South Korea

• Multinational state: A state containing multiple nations within its borders. Each nation retains its distinct identity.

  • Examples: Canada (English and French), Russia (many ethnic groups)

• Multi-state nation: A nation that exists across multiple states.

  • Examples: Kurds (Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria), Basques (Spain, France)

• Stateless nation: A nation with a history of self-determination but no officially recognized state.

  • Examples: Kurds, Palestinians

III. Other Political Entities

• Autonomous region: A region within a state that enjoys a high degree of self-rule and control over its internal affairs.

  • Examples: Native American reservations in the US

• Semi-autonomous region: A region controlled by another state but granted a moderate degree of self-governance.

  • Examples: Hong Kong (under the authority of China)

IV. Historical Influences on Political Boundaries

• Colonialism: Acquiring territories and settling them to exert control over the area.

• Imperialism: Growing a state or empire by exerting force over other nations to gain power.

• Berlin Conference (1884-1885): European powers divided Africa into colonies without regard for existing ethnic or cultural boundaries, leading to ongoing problems in post-colonial Africa.

• Decolonization: The process of colonies gaining independence from their colonizers.

• Devolution: The transfer of political power from a central government to regional governments.

V. Political Power and Territoriality

• Territoriality: The tendency to establish and defend a specific geographic area.

• Neocolonialism: The indirect use of political, cultural, or economic power to influence or control another country.

  • Examples: China's influence in Africa through infrastructure investments and loans

• Shatterbelt: A region caught between larger powers in conflict.

  • Examples: Eastern Europe during the Cold War, the Korean Peninsula

• Chokepoint: A geographically narrow area that must be passed to reach a destination. Countries that control chokepoints have significant political power.

  • Examples: Panama Canal, Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal

VI. Types of Political Boundaries

• Geometric boundary: Uses straight lines and follows lines of latitude and longitude.

  • Examples: The 49th parallel between Canada and the US

• Anacan boundary: Existed before human settlement or the development of the cultural landscape.

  • Examples: The boundary between Argentina and Chile (formed by a mountain range)

• Relic boundary: No longer officially recognized but still affects the cultural landscape.

  • Examples: The Berlin Wall

• Superimposed boundary: Created by an external power without consideration for local communities.

  • Examples: Boundaries created in Africa at the Berlin Conference

• Subsequent boundary: Develops along with the development of the cultural landscape.

  • Examples: Most boundaries in Europe

• Consequent boundary: A type of subsequent boundary that separates different ethnic, religious, or linguistic groups.

  • Examples: The boundary between Pakistan and India

VII. Functions of Political Boundaries

• International boundary: Separates one sovereign state from another.

• Internal boundary: Separates different regions within a single state.

• Boundary disputes:

  • Definitional disputes: Occur over the interpretation of the original boundary documents.

  • Locational disputes: Occur over the location of the boundary.

  • Operational disputes: Occur over how to manage the boundary.

  • Allocational disputes: Occur over the use of resources on or in the boundary.

• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): International law governing the use of the world's oceans. Defines territorial waters, contiguous zones, and exclusive economic zones (EEZs).

VIII. Internal Boundaries

• Voting districts: Geographic areas organized for the purpose of administering elections.

• Redistricting: The redrawing of voting districts to better reflect population changes.

• Gerrymandering: Redrawing districts to favor one political party over another.

  • Cracking: Spreading like-minded voters across many districts.

  • Packing: Stacking like-minded voters into a few districts.

IX. Forms of Governance

• Unitary state: Power is concentrated in the national government.

  • Examples: Nation-states

• Federal state: Power is shared between the national government and regional governments.

  • Examples: US, Canada, Brazil

X. Devolution and Challenges to State Sovereignty

• Devolution: The transfer of political power from a central government to regional governments.

  • Factors contributing to devolution:

    • Physical geography (isolated regions)

    • Cultural divisions (ethnic groups)

    • Political instability (crime, terrorism)

    • Economic and social inequalities

    • Government corruption and abuse

    • Irredentism (movement to unite parts of a nation that are located in other states)

• State disintegration: The breakup of a state into smaller parts.

  • Examples: Sudan/South Sudan, the former Soviet Union

• Technological advancements and globalization: Can challenge state sovereignty by empowering citizens and increasing global interconnectedness.

• Supernational organizations: Alliances of multiple countries that work together to achieve common goals.

  • Examples: United Nations, African Union, NATO, European Union

XI. Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

• Centrifugal forces: Divide people or states.

  • Examples: Uneven economic development, cultural differences, political corruption

• Centripetal forces: Unite people or states.

  • Examples: Patriotism, shared history, language, and religion, strong national government

Remember to consult your notes, review this study guide, and take the practice quizzes in the Ultimate Review Packet to prepare for your AP Human Geography exam!