AP Human Geography: Political Geography 3

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Questions and Answers

Define boundary.

An invisible line that marks the extent of a state's territory.

What is the purpose of a boundary?

To give shape and limitations of a state; they can even have conflict due to conjoining states.

Define frontier.

A zone where no state exercises complete political control.

Explain the difference between boundary and frontier.

A frontier is tangible while a boundary is not. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cultural boundary?

Follows the distribution of cultural features. Signup and view all the answers

Define geometric boundary.

Political boundaries that are defined and delimited by straight lines. Signup and view all the answers

Define physical boundary.

Coincide with significant features of natural landscape. Signup and view all the answers

What is the religious boundary of Ireland?

The island of Erie became Northern Ireland in the north and Republic of Ireland in the south. Signup and view all the answers

What is an important fact about Ireland?

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. Signup and view all the answers

What states joined together due to language?

France, Portugal and Spain. Signup and view all the answers

What types of boundaries can deserts create?

Hard to cross and sparsely inhabited. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of physical elements that serve as boundaries between states?

Desert, mountains and water. Signup and view all the answers

Define democracy.

A country in which elect leaders and runs for office. Signup and view all the answers

Define autocracy.

Runs according to interest of ruler than people. Signup and view all the answers

Define anocracy.

A mix of autocracy and democracy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'failed' state? Give examples.

Government institutions have broken down because of Civil War, extreme poverty or natural disasters. Examples: Libya and South Sudan. Signup and view all the answers

What issues do landlocked states face?

Lacks a direct outlet to see because it is surrounded by other countries. Signup and view all the answers

What problems do refugees create?

It makes nation-States economically, politically and culturally hard. Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

Redrawing district lines to gain a political advantage for a particular party or group. Signup and view all the answers

What fraction of the US congressional seats are competitive?

One tenth Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Boundaries and Frontiers

A boundary is an invisible line demarcating a state's territory.
Boundaries serve to define state shape and limitations; they can lead to conflicts between adjacent states.
A frontier is a tangible area where no state has complete political control, differing from a boundary.

Types of Boundaries

Cultural Boundary: Aligns with cultural features and distributions.
Geometric Boundary: Defined by straight lines, often irrespective of physical features.
Physical Boundary: Follows significant natural landscape features like mountains or rivers.

Historical and Regional Boundaries

Various geographic regions have boundaries separating different linguistic, religious, and ethnic groups.
The island of Ireland split into Northern Ireland (41% Roman Catholic) and the Republic of Ireland (84% Roman Catholic) due to religious differences.
The division of India and Pakistan was based on religious lines; India is predominantly Hindu while Pakistan is primarily Muslim.

Conflict Zones and Control

Cyprus' demographics: 63% Greek and 24% Turkish. The island's control is fragmented, with a UN-controlled buffer zone.
Geometric boundaries are notable in North America and North Africa, established through treaties and negotiations.

Antarctica and Polar Regions

The Antarctic Treaty (1959) established conditions for peaceful research in Antarctica.
Lomonosov Ridge is central to territorial disputes among Arctic states including Canada, Denmark, and Russia.

Physical Elements as Boundaries

Deserts, mountains, and water are common natural boundaries, aiding in state separation.
The Sahara Desert acts as a barrier between northern African countries like Algeria and Chad.
Mountain boundaries, such as the Andes, limit communication and access between states.

Water as a Boundary

Water boundaries are utilized for territorial waters, contiguous zones, and exclusive economic zones, covering laws on resources and navigation.
The Rio Grande necessitated treaties due to shifting boundaries affecting US and Mexican territories.

State Shapes and Communication

A state's shape influences internal communication and social unity, categorized into five types: compact, prorupted, elongated, perforated, and fragmented.
Compact states allow easier communication; examples include Burundi and Rwanda.
Elongated states, like Malawi and Chile, face challenges in internal transport and communication.

Landlocked States Issues

Africa hosts the majority of the world’s landlocked states due to historical colonial decisions.
Landlocked countries encounter trade difficulties, relying heavily on neighboring states for access to ports and resources.

Government Types

Types of governments include democracy (citizens elect leaders), autocracy (power rests with a single ruler), and anocracy (combining elements of both).
The shift toward democracy is characterized by expanded rights, citizen participation, and diffusion from Western nations.

Gerrymandering and Electoral Districts

Gerrymandering involves redrawing electoral district lines for political advantage, manifesting as wasted, excess, and stacked votes.
Gerrymandering affects ethnic voting patterns, favoring one party over another, unlike the independent commission model used in Europe.
Nevada took a stand against gerrymandering practices.

Conflicts and Refugees

Conflicts in West Darfur involve competition over scarce resources, leading to accusations against the government for neglecting local needs.
Refugee situations complicate national unity, impacting economies, politics, and cultural cohesion.

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Description

Test your knowledge on political geography with this flashcard quiz. Covering key concepts like boundaries and frontiers, this quiz aims to deepen your understanding of state territories and their implications. Perfect for AP Human Geography students!