AP Human Geography: Unit 4 Review Notes

Territoriality

The connection of people to their culture and economic systems to the land, expressing a desire for ownership and sovereignty over a defined space.

Sovereignty

The right of a government to control and defend its territory and to determine what happens within its borders without outside interference.

State

The formal term for a 'country,' which must have defined borders, a permanent population, a government, and sovereignty.

Nation

A culturally defined group of people with a shared past and common future who relate to a territory and government.

Nation-State

An ideal political unit where the geographic boundaries of the state correspond almost exactly to the geographic boundaries of a nation.

Multinational State

A state that contains more than one nation, which may coexist peacefully or face challenges.

Multistate Nation

A nation that stretches across the borders of two or more states.

Stateless Nation

A nation without a state, often seeking self-determination.

Autonomous Region

Defined areas within a state that have a high degree of self-government and freedom from the parent state.

Geometric Boundary

A boundary drawn as a straight line on a map, unrelated to physical features.

Physical-Political Boundary

A boundary based on physical features like mountains or rivers.

Antecedent Boundary

A boundary drawn before a large population was present.

Subsequent Boundary

A boundary drawn after settlement, accommodating cultural differences.

Superimposed Boundary

A boundary forced on an area by an outside power, ignoring existing cultural patterns.

Relic Boundary

A boundary that no longer functions but still leaves a visual imprint.

UNCLOS

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which standardizes territorial claims in the ocean.

Territorial Sea

The sea belt within 0–12 nautical miles from the coast, where the coastal state has total sovereignty.

Contiguous Zone

The area between 12–24 nautical miles from the coast where a state can enforce laws on customs and immigration.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

The area up to 200 nautical miles from the coast where a state has the right to explore and exploit natural resources.

High Seas

International waters beyond the EEZ that are open to all states.

Boundary Dispute

A disagreement over the location, legal language, function, or resources of a boundary.

Definitional Dispute

A conflict over the legal language of a boundary treaty.

Locational Dispute

A dispute regarding where a boundary is physically marked on the ground.

Operational Dispute

A disagreement over how a border is functionally administered.

Allocational Dispute

A conflict over resource distribution that crosses a boundary.

Nation vs. State Mistake

Confusing 'state' (sovereign country) with 'nation' (people).

United Kingdom as Multinational State

Recognizing that the UK contains multiple nations (English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish).

EEZ vs. Territorial Sea Mistake

Misunderstanding the extent of legal power over resources versus navigation in the EEZ.

Delimitation vs. Demarcation

Delimitation involves drawing boundaries on a map, while demarcation involves physical markers on the ground.