Political Geography Ch. 8 Key Issue 1 Where are states located?

Political geography: helps to explain the cultural and physical factors that underlie political unrest in the world. Political geographers study how people have organized Earth’s land surface into countries and alliances, reasons for the observed arrangements of space and the conflicts that result from the organization.

State: an area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government that has control over its internal and foreign affairs. A state occupies a defined territory on Earth’s surface and contains a permanent population. A state has sovereignty: independence from control of its internal affairs by other states. Country is a synonym for state. In political geography, state does not refer to the United States 50 regional governments, those are subdivisions within the single state- the U.S.A.

Problems defining a state Antarctica: only large landmass on Earth that isn’t part of a state. Several states claim portions of Antarctica, other states don’t recognize those claims. Treaty of Antarctica (1959) allows states to establish research stations for science but no military activities. Korea: North and South Korea were divided after the Korean War in 1953 at the 38th parallel. Recently both governments had been working to reunite the country into one sovereign state but military tensions are still high. China & Taiwan: China claims Taiwan as part of China. Taiwan regards itself as a sovereign state but China disagrees. Taiwan is currently not in the United Nations. Western Sahara (Sahrawi Republic): claims sovereignty and built a 3,000km wall around the territory. Claims lay between Western Sahara, Morocco and Mauritania.

Largest states: Varying Size of States Russia (6.6 million sq. miles) China Canada U.S.A. (3.5 million sq. miles) Brazil Australia Microstates: states with very small land areas. Monaco: 0.6 sq miles

Development of the state concept Ancient States: the ancient Fertile Crescent formed an arc between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. City-state: evolved in Mesopotamia, a sovereign state that comprises a town and the surrounding countryside. Walls delineated the boundaries of the city. European States: political unity was at its highest during the Roman Empire, controlled most of Europe, N. Africa and SW Asia. Used the same set of laws. Massive walls helped Romans defend their territory. Roman Empire collapsed in the 5th c. after people attacking on the borders and internal disputes of the leaders. Estates: fragmented the land among kings, dukes, barons and nobles.

Colonialism Colony: a territory that is legally tied to a sovereign state rather than being completely independent. Sometimes, a sovereign state runs only the colony’s military and foreign policies, other times, it also controls the internal affairs and government. Colonialism: European states came to control much of the world, by establishing settlements and to impose its political, economic and cultural principles on another territory. European powers established colonies for 3 reasons: Missionaries to promote Christianity Colonies provided resources that helped the European economy. Europeans considered the # of colonies to an indication of power. 3 motives: God, gold and glory.

Imperialism: control of a territory already occupied and organized by an indigenous society. As opposed to colonialism controlled a previously uninhabited or sparsely inhabited land. United Kingdom assembled the largest colonial empire, on every continent. “Sun never set” on the British empire. Africa and Asia were largely divided amongst the European powers.

Colonial practices France: tried to have colonies become like the French culture and educate the elite locals to provide local government leadership. Even after independence, many of these colonies maintain close ties to France. British: created different government structures and policies for various territories. Decentralized approach helped protect diverse cultures, local customs. Most colonies made peaceful transitions to independence. Few remaining colonies: most populous colony is Puerto Rico of the U.S.A. 4 million residents are U.S. citizens but don’t vote in elections or have a member in Congress.