AP® Human Geography Unit 4: Political Geography Part 2: Borders, Geopolitics, and Internal Governance Copyright © All rights reserved - Daniel L. Eiland AP and Advanced Placement are registered trademarks of the College Entrance Examination Board which was not involved in the production of and does not endorse this presentation.

Overview Unit 4 An Introduction to Territory and Statehood Borders, Geopolitics, and Internal Governance

Part 2: Borders, Geopolitics, and Internal Governance

Sections Boundaries, Borders, and Frontiers The Shape of States Internal Political Organization Electoral Geograpy Geopolitics

Section A: Boundaries, Borders, and Borderlands

What is the difference between a boundary and a border?

Boundaries are invisible lines that mark the extent of a territory. A border is a political boundary that separates the territory and authority of states.

Discuss: What existed before there were borders?

Frontiers are geographic zones where no state exercises direct power or where borders are weak and not strongly inforced.

What are some examples of frontiers?

The American West was considered a frontier until it was completely annexed in 1912.

Antarctica is considered a modern frontier since no country has direct control of it.

Discuss: Why has space been called “the final frontier”?

What are different types of boundaries?

Physical political boundaries such as the Congo River which divides the countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo can provide a natural border.

Geometric boundaries such as the boundary between the United States and Canada are straight lined boundaries that do not conform to specific physical features.

Cultural boundaries such as the language boundary between French speaking Quebec and the rest of Canada can act as centrifugal forces within a country.

How do boundaries evolve over time?

Antecedent boundaries such as the Ohio River existed before the state developed into its current form. People naturally used it as a dividing line before any official status.

Subsequent boundaries such as the Pakistan/India border are developed after significant settlement has already occurred.

Discuss: What cultural problems could a subsequent boundary cause?

Superimposed boundaries, like the boundaries creating the modern state of Israel, are imposed by outsiders such as invaders or organizations like the United Nations.

Relict boundaries, like the Berlin Wall are boundaries that have ceased to function but still leave an impact on the cultural landscape.

How are boundaries formed?

Definition The negotiation phase.The negotiation phase.Delimitation The map creation phase.The map creation phase.Demarcation The visible marking phase.The visible marking phase.Administration The enforcement phase.The enforcement phase.

Predict: How are water boundaries formed in oceans and seas?

The United Nations developed The Convention on the Law of the Seas to establish maritime border law. It states:

Coastal states have claim on waters up to 12 nautical miles from their shore though all countries have right of passage.

States can claim up to 200 nautical miles as an exclusive economic zone for mining and exploration rights.

When the 200 miles are not enough space between two states, the area is divided evenly using the median line principle.

What are different types of boundary disputes?

Definitional Disputes over the language of a border agreement.Disputes over the language of a border agreement.Locational Disputes over where the boundary actually exists on the Earth or a map.Disputes over where the boundary actually exists on the Earth or a map.Operational Disputes over the way boundaries should operate or function.Disputes over the way boundaries should operate or function.Allocational Fights over resources that may not be divided by the border such as rivers or mines.Fights over resources that may not be divided by the border such as rivers or mines.

Research: What are examples of each of the boundary disputes?

Section B: The Shapes of States

What is territorial morphology?

Territorial morphology is how a state’s shape, size, and relative location affects its governance and political situation.

A fragmented state, like Indonesia, is broken into several pieces. This can often make communication and maintaining unity difficult.

An elongated state, like Chile, are long and thin in shape. This can cause transportation problems or increase centrifugal forces when the state’s power base loses influence over one end of the elongation. An elongated state, like Chile, are long and thin in shape. This can cause transportation problems or increase centrifugal forces when the state’s power base loses influence over one end of the elongation.

A compact state, like Hungary, has relatively equal distance between its center and any point on its boundary. These are often ideal because every part feels connected.

A prorupt state, like Thailand, has piece that protrudes from its core area. Problems in these states are similar to elongated states.

A microstate, such as the Vatican, San Marino, or Nauru are very small states.

A perforated state, like South Africa, has a hole punched in it by another state, Lesotho. Relationships between the two states can be difficult and cause much tension if the perforated state does not welcome the perforating.

Lesotho is also considered a landlocked state because it has no access to the coast. People must then rely on permission from South Africa to travel outside of the country’s borders.

A political enclave is a state, or part of a state, surrounded completely by another state. Before the fall of the Berlin Wall, West Berlin was an enclave.

A political exclave is a part of a state that is completely separate from its host state such as Alaska.

Debate: Is it possible for state to be more than one type? Can a state be both a microstate and an enclave?

Section C: Internal Political Organization

What are the responsibilities of a state?

The State Education Social Welfare Health Care Currency Business Regulation Infrastructure Diplomacy and Defense