1. Countries and Boundaries
Geography 9A

2. What makes a country a country?
Each country has four specific characteristics that define it as a country:
Clearly defined territory
Population
Sovereignty
Government

3. Two Types of Boundaries
Physical boundaries and cultural boundaries
Neither type of boundary is better or more “natural”
Many boundaries are a combination of both types.

4. Physical Boundaries
Important physical features on Earth’s surface can make good boundaries because they are easily seen, both on a map and on the ground.
Three types of physical elements serve as boundaries between states:
Mountains
Deserts
Water

5. Cultural Boundaries
The boundaries between some states coincide with differences in ethnicity.
Geometric boundaries
Straight lines drawn on a map.
Language boundaries
Language is an important cultural characteristic for drawing boundaries, especially in Europe

6. Sovereignty Sovereignty is a nation’s freedom from outside control
Independence from other countries
A country is sovereign if it can:
Establish its own policies
Determine its own course of action