1. Political Geography
Chapter 8

2. Geopolitical states and their Locations
In 1940 ~ 50 countries
Today ~ 195 or 196 (depending on whether Taiwan is recognized as its own country)
State – area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government
Sovereignty – independence from other states

3. States and Sovereignty
Western Sahara (Sahrawi Republic) – considered its own state, but Morocco claims it as its own

4. Taiwan – Republic of China
Taiwan is not part of the UN – since 1971, China’s communist government has been considered its legal government, even though Taiwan claims sovereignty.

5. Microstates
Ex: Monaco, many island nations

6. Colonial Status
Colony – territory that is legally tied to a sovereign state
Colonialism that was practiced in the modern era by Europeans was used to:
Spread Christianity
Expand territory and Power
Get resources

7. Colonies today
Most European colonies gained independence soon after WWII.
16 recognized colonies left worldwide today – many are islands in the Pacific and Caribbean (US and UK own most)
Puerto Rico – technically a “commonwealth” Have their own government separate from the US government
Hong Kong and Macao in China are only autonomous in economic matters

9. Boundary ISSUES
Boundary –invisible line that marks the extent of a state’s territory
5 basic state shapes
Compact state – beneficial because of good communication, less borders to defend
Ex: Belgium

10. State shapes continued
Elongated State – long and narrow; may have poor internal communication
Ex: Chile, Italy, Malawi, Gambia

11. State Shapes Cont.
Prorupted State – compact but for a large, projecting extension
Can provide access to a water source
Can also disrupt the border between other states
Ex: Congo, Namibia, Afghanistan

12. Cont… Perforated State – state that completely surrounds another state
Ex: South Africa

13. Cont… Fragmented State – discontinuous pieces of territory
Oftentimes separated by a body of Water
Can also be separated by an intervening state
Ex: Indonesia, Panama, Russia

14. Physical Boundaries
Desert – ex. Sub-Saharan African from Northern Africa
Mountains – ex. Andes between Chile and Argentina
Water –
ex. Lake Albert between Congo and Uganda
Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico

15. Cultural Boundaries Geometric or ethnic
Ethnic – could be based on religious, ethnicity or language differences
Ex: India and Pakistan= Hindu - Muslim
Ireland and Northern Ireland = Catholic - Protestant
Cyprus – Greek and Turkish sides
Geometric – established through treaties usually
Ex: 49 ° N between Canada and US

16. Types of Government Systems
Federal Government – Allocation of strong power to units of local government within the country
Ex: USA
Unitary Government –Most of the power is in the hands of the central government
Ex: Many European countries

17. Gerrymandering
Drawing of electoral boundaries to support the party in power
3 Major types
Wasted Vote – spread the opposition across the borders as a minority
Excess Vote – Concentrated excess in a few districts
Stacked Vote – links distant areas with like minded voters
(named after Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts)