Political Geography Notes Chapter 8 Objective: Identify the concept of a state and political challenges that can occur between states

Key Issue 1 – Where are states located? Problems Defining States Not the Fifty Nifty… Says who? Development of the state concept Relatively recent – last few hundred years Many new states, almost 200 now Not the Fifty Nifty – difference of US state and state as “country” “Says who?” refers to who defines a state and who gives statehood, the UN

State Area organized into a political unit Ruled by an established government Government has control over internal and foreign affairs (sovereignty) Occupies a territory Permanent population Commonly referred to as a “country”

Korea: One State or Two? Post WWII – north/south division along the 38th Parallel (38 degrees North)

US-Soviet involvement US supported the South USSR supported the North Korean War Part of Cold War 1950-1953 current cease fire

Other Examples China and Taiwan Western Sahara (Sahrawi Republic)

Development of “states” Prior to 1800: City-states Empires Tribes Unorganized territory

Ancient and Medieval States Ancient States 1st states in Mesopotamia were city- states. This led to empires. Early European States Roman Empire Feudalism Consolidation and nationalism

European expansion Colonialism Imperialism God, Gold, and Glory When did colonialism begin? 1492 Imperialism Control of land already occupied UK had largest colonial empire

Post-Colonialism Domino effect of independence movements Many new states are formed

Key Issue 2 – Why do boundaries cause problems? Shapes of States Types of Boundaries Boundaries inside states Boundaries are formed by cultural and/or natural physical features. Latitude/longitude are often used as well.

Shapes of States Compact – little variance in distance from center to any boundary Makes communication & interaction easier Examples: Burundi, Kenya, Switzerland, many others

Prorupted States An otherwise compact state with a large projecting extension Can provide access to a resource Can disrupt other states

Elongated States Long and narrow shape Can lead to isolation or hinder communication and interaction Example: Chile

Fragmented State Contains several discontinuous pieces of territory Can be caused by water or other states Ex: Indonesia, Philippines, Russia

Perforated States Completely surrounds another state Diplomacy is crucial Ex: South Africa (perforated) and Lesotho(compact)

Types of Boundaries Historically, frontiers separated states Only current regions separated by frontiers are in the Arabian Peninsula and Antarctica

Physical Boundaries Mountains Deserts Water

Cultural Boundaries Geometric Religious Language Lat./Long. lines Ex: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh Language Especially important in Europe, after WWI

The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everest as seen from the International Space Station looking south-south-east over the Tibetan Plateau. Four of the world's fourteen eight-thousanders, mountains higher than 8000 meters, can be seen. The South Col Route is Mount Everest's most often used climbing route.

Boundaries Inside States Unitary – most or all power is held by the central government Works best in a nation- state Can be used to enforce values of one nationality on minority groups Ex: UK, Kenya, China, and many more

Federal System Power is shared by the national and local governments More suitable for large and/or multinational states Ex: United States, Canada, Russia, Brazil

Gerrymandering Redrawing legislative boundaries to benefit a political party Wasted, Excess, Stacked

Look over… UN NATO Warsaw Pact EU