AP Human Geography Chapter 8 Terms Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the balance of power?

Condition of roughly equal strength between opposing countries or alliances of countries (correct)

A type of territorial boundary

The ability of a state to govern itself

A policy of ensuring one state does not dominate others

What is a boundary?

Invisible line that marks the extent of a state's territory

Define city-state.

A sovereign state comprising a city and its immediate hinterland

What is colonialism?

Attempt by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political, economic, and cultural principles in another territory Signup and view all the answers

What is a colony?

A territory that is legally tied to a sovereign state rather than completely independent Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a compact state?

A state in which the distance from the center to any boundary does not vary significantly Signup and view all the answers

Describe an elongated state.

A state with a long, narrow shape Signup and view all the answers

What is a federal state?

An internal organization of a state that allocates most powers to units of local government Signup and view all the answers

What is a fragmented state?

A state that includes several discontinuous pieces of territory Signup and view all the answers

Define frontier.

A zone separating two states in which neither state exercises political control Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power Signup and view all the answers

Define imperialism.

Control of territory already occupied and organized by an indigenous group Signup and view all the answers

What is a landlocked state?

A state that does not have a direct outlet to the sea Signup and view all the answers

What is a microstate?

A state that encompasses a very small land area Signup and view all the answers

What is a perforated state?

A state that completely surrounds another one Signup and view all the answers

Define prorupted state.

An otherwise compact state with a large projecting extension Signup and view all the answers

What is sovereignty?

Ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its internal affairs by other states Signup and view all the answers

Define state.

An area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government with control over its foreign and internal affairs Signup and view all the answers

What is a unitary state?

An internal organization of a state that places most power in the hands of central government officials Signup and view all the answers

What is decolonization?

The movement of American/European/Asian colonies gaining independence mostly beginning after the post-WWII era: 1946 - on Signup and view all the answers

What does the Brandt line represent?

Economic division between the wealthy countries of Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia and the generally poorer countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America Signup and view all the answers

Define enclave.

A minority culture group concentrated inside a country that is dominated by a different larger group Signup and view all the answers

What is an exclave?

A fragmented piece of sovereign territory separated by land from the main part of the state's territory Signup and view all the answers

What is the European Union?

A supranational organization formed in 2007 that acts like a federal government for Europe Signup and view all the answers

What is a shatterbelt?

A region caught between stronger colliding external cultural-political forces, under persistent stress, and often fragmented by aggressive rivals Signup and view all the answers

Define shatterbelt theory.

Cohen's theory predicted that armed conflicts after 1950 would likely occur in areas within the Inner Crescent or Middle East Signup and view all the answers

What is the New World Order?

A vision for the post-Cold War era where world affairs would not be dominated by competition between superpowers Signup and view all the answers

Define the domino theory.

The idea that if one land in a region came under the influence of communism, then more would follow in this effect Signup and view all the answers

What is supranationalism?

The concept of two or more sovereign states aligned together for a common purpose Signup and view all the answers

What are supranational organizations?

Organizations formed for the purpose of trade alliances Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms in Human Geography

Balance of Power: Indicates a situation of equal strength among nations or alliances, potentially preventing dominance by any single entity.
Boundary: Defined as an invisible line marking the extent of a state's territory, crucial for political and territorial integrity.
City-State: A self-governing entity that consists of a city and its surrounding areas, exemplifying sovereignty on a small scale.
Colonialism: Refers to the efforts of one nation to establish settlements and impose its control and cultural values on another territory.
Colony: A territory legally tied to a sovereign state rather than operating independently, often a result of colonialism.
Compact State: Characterized by a central point with boundaries that are roughly equidistant, promoting efficient governance and communication.
Elongated State: Describes a state with a long, narrow geographical shape, which may impact administration and transportation.
Federal State: An organizational structure where power is distributed among various local governments rather than being centralized.
Fragmented State: Consists of several separated pieces of territory, often creating challenges for governance and unity.
Frontier: An area between two states where neither maintains political control, acting as a buffer zone.
Gerrymandering: The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party, impacting representation.
Imperialism: Involves extending control over territories already inhabited by indigenous groups, impacting cultural and political landscapes.
Landlocked State: A nation that does not have access to oceanic waterways, often affecting trade and economic growth.
Microstate: A very small sovereign state, often limited in resources but fully functional as a political unit.
Perforated State: A state that entirely surrounds another state, resulting in unique political and social dynamics.
Prorupted State: A predominantly compact state with a significant extension or protrusion that may serve specific strategic purposes.
Sovereignty: The capacity of a state to exercise independent control over its territory and internal affairs without external interference.
State: Defined as a political unit with an established government that has authority over its domestic and foreign matters.
Unitary State: A centralized model of governance where most actions and decisions are made by a core national government.
Decolonization: The process by which colonies gain independence, particularly notable in the period following World War II.
Brandt Line: A socio-economic division that separates wealthier regions from poorer countries, impacting global policy and development.
Enclave: A cultural minority group surrounded by a dominant culture, leading to unique social and political interactions.
Exclave: A portion of sovereign territory that is geographically separated from the main area of the state, posing administrative challenges.
European Union: A supranational entity formed in 2007 to facilitate cooperation in trade, borders, monetary policy, and more, resembling a federal structure.
Shatterbelt: Areas vulnerable to external pressures and conflicts, often marked by cultural and political fragmentation.
Shatterbelt Theory: Cohen's prediction that conflicts would emerge in geographically strategic regions during the Cold War era.
New World Order: Post-Cold War ideological framework envisioning a cooperative global environment without dominance by superpower competition.
Domino Theory: A Cold War doctrine suggesting that the fall of one nation to communism would lead to the spread of communism to neighboring states.
Supranationalism: The cooperative alignment of sovereign states working together for common objectives, often in trade or policy.
Supranational Organizations: Entities formed to promote cooperation through trade alliances, focusing on shared goals among member states.

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Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 8 of AP Human Geography. Each card provides a term and its definition, helping you master concepts such as balance of power, boundaries, and city-states. Perfect for revision and deeper understanding of geopolitical structures.