AP Human Geography Political Geography Vocab

Questions and Answers

What is a theocracy?

A democracy with elected officials

A form of government with a king

A state under the control of religious leaders (correct)

A military government

What does decolonization refer to?

The movement of American, European, or Asian colonies gaining independence after the post-WWI era.

What does the Brandt line illustrate?

The economic division between wealthy and poorer countries.

Define an enclave.

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

What is an exclave?

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

What are expatriate populations?

Citizens living outside their borders. 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 defines an immigrant state?

A state that is a target for many immigrants due to its economy and political freedom. Signup and view all the answers

Define a multicore state.

A state that has more than one dominant region in terms of economics or politics. Signup and view all the answers

What is a shatterbelt?

A region caught between stronger cultural-political forces, often under stress and fragmented. Signup and view all the answers

What does the shatterbelt theory predict?

Conflicts likely occurring in areas within the Inner Crescent or Middle East after 1950. Signup and view all the answers

What is a forward capital?

A capital city relocated for strategic or economic reasons. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'new world order' refer to?

The post-Cold War era vision of world affairs not dominated by superpower competition. Signup and view all the answers

Define the domino theory.

The idea that if one land falls to communism, neighboring lands will follow. Signup and view all the answers

What is supranationalism?

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

What are supranational organizations?

Organizations formed for trade alliances, military cooperation, and diplomacy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a territorial sea?

The area of sea from shore to a 12-nautical-mile limit. Signup and view all the answers

What are the high seas?

Areas of the ocean beyond the 12-mile limit. Signup and view all the answers

What is admirality law?

International law dictating legal procedures on the high seas. Signup and view all the answers

What does the international whaling commission do?

Enforce laws banning whale hunts since 1986. Signup and view all the answers

What is a constitutional monarchy?

A government where the monarch is head of state and the elected parliament is head of government. Signup and view all the answers

Define an absolute monarchy.

A monarchy where the supreme aristocrat holds all power, without sharing. Signup and view all the answers

What is devolution?

The breakdown of a state due to conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Heartland-Rimland Theory?

A theory that aimed to define global geopolitical landscape and areas of potential conflict. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Political Geography Vocabulary

Theocracy: Government believed to be divinely guided or controlled by religious leaders; intertwines governance with faith.
Decolonization: Process where colonies in the Americas, Europe, and Asia gained independence, largely beginning post-World War I.
Brandt Line: Economic divide distinguishing wealthy nations in Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia from poorer regions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Enclave: A minority cultural group residing within a dominant culture, often leading to unique social dynamics within a larger nation.
Exclave: A separate piece of a state's land that is geographically disconnected from the main territory, highlighting territorial fragmentation.
Expatriate Populations: Citizens living abroad, often requiring government services such as consular support for legal documentation.
European Union (EU): Supranational body formed in 2007, acting as a federal-like government for Europe, managing areas like trade and legislation without full administrative integration.
Immigrant State: A destination country attracting large numbers of immigrants due to its strong economy, political freedoms, and opportunities for advancement.
Multicore State: A nation with multiple dominant economic or political regions, leading to diverse decision-making centers within its territory.
Shatterbelt: A geopolitical zone caught between conflicting external cultural and political forces, frequently characterized by instability and rivalry.
Shatterbelt Theory: Cohen's prediction regarding post-1950 armed conflicts occurring in regions within the Inner Crescent, particularly the Middle East.
Forward Capital: A strategically or economically relocated capital city meant to promote integration of peripheral areas into a nation.
New World Order: Refers to the envisioned international landscape after the Cold War, where bilateral tensions between superpowers lessen, promoting cooperative global governance.
Domino Theory: The belief that the spread of communism in one region would lead to its expansion elsewhere, justifying U.S. interventions during the Cold War.
Supranationalism: Conceptual framework where sovereign states collaborate for mutual objectives, transcending individual national interests.
Supranational Organizations: Groups formed for collaborative purposes, including trade alliances, military cooperation, and diplomatic efforts.
Territorial Sea: A maritime zone extending 12 nautical miles from a coastline where a nation enforces its laws and regulations.
High Seas: Areas beyond the territorial sea limit where vessels have autonomy, allowing activities like gambling and law enforcement onboard.
Admiralty Law: Set of international regulations governing legal matters on the seas, particularly beyond 200 nautical miles, influencing fishing and maritime conduct.
International Whaling Commission: Established in 1986, this body enforces a ban on commercial whaling globally, protecting marine life.
Constitutional Monarchy: A political system where a monarch is the ceremonial head of state and a democratically elected parliament functions as the governing body.
Absolute Monarchy: A governance model where the monarch holds total power, serving as both head of state and government without legislative limitations.
Devolution: Process akin to centrifugal forces leading to the fragmentation of a state, often due to internal conflict and calls for regional autonomy.
Heartland-Rimland Theory: Proposed by Halford Mackinder in 1904; a framework assessing geopolitical control potential based on agricultural and geopolitical landscapes.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key vocabulary in Political Geography as covered in AP Human Geography. This quiz features terms such as theocracy, decolonization, and the Brandt line, encouraging a deeper understanding of global political structures and histories.