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

2. 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

3. 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”

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

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

6. Other Examples
China and Taiwan
Western Sahara (Sahrawi Republic)

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

8. 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

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

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

11. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

18. Physical Boundaries
Mountains
Deserts
Water

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

20. 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.

22. 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

23. 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

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

27. Look over… UN
NATO
Warsaw Pact EU