Political Geography (Nation/State)

State an independent

political unit occupying a defined, populated territory and having full sovereign control over its internal and foreign affairs.

Nation is a group of people

with a common culture occupying a particular territory, bound together by a strong sense of unity arising from shared beliefs and customs

Relationships between Nations and States

Nation-State State that has a

distinct nation, ex. Japan

Relationships between Nations and States

multinational state A state with many

nations within. Ex. Canada

Relationships between Nations and States

part-nation state A single nation that is dispersed and

predominant in two or more states.Ex. Arab Nation

Relationships between Nations and States

stateless nation A people without a

state and are not dominant in any state.

Ex. Kurds

Korea: One State or Two?

Korea

A colony of Japan for many yearsDivided into two occupation zones after

WW II (USSR-North, U.S.-South)Country divided along the 38th parallelN. Korea invaded S. Korea in 1950This started a 3 year war. Border stayed

the same as before the war.

Korea

Both countries want to reunite.Talks ceased with N. Korea development

of nuclear power.In 1992 both countries were admitted to

the UN as separate countries.

China and Taiwan: One state or two?

China and Taiwan

Is the Island of Taiwan a sovereign state?

Until 1999 both agreed that Taiwan was part of China

Civil War fought in late 1940’s between Communists and Nationalists.

Nationalists lost, fled to Taiwan.

China and Taiwan

Until 1971, the U.S. recognized the Nationalists as the official govt. of China

Taiwan is the most populous state not in the United Nations

Largest States

Russia (11% world’s land area)ChinaCanadaUnited StatesBrazil

Smallest States (Microstates)

Monaco (Smallest in the UN, .6 sq. mi)Most are islands and sovereign

What is the largest landmass not part of a sovereign state?

Antarctica

Antarctica: National Claims

Fig. 8-2: Antarctica is the only large landmass that is not part of a state, but several countries claim portions of it.

History of States

Modern movement to divide the world into states originated in Europe.

Can be traced to Middle East and Fertile Crescent

City-states were the first states to evolveWalls established the boundaries of the

city, the country side grew food for city.

History of States (Europe)

Ancient world political unity was at its height during the Roman Empire

Collapsed in 5th Century A.D.European portion divided into estatesConsolidation of estates by kings formed

the first states (England, France, and Spain)

Germany and Italy, 19th Century

Colonies

A colony is a territory that is legally tied to a sovereign state rather than being completely independent.

European Colonialism

European States controlled much of the world through colonialism

3 ReasonsPromote ChristianityColonies provide resourcesNumber of colonies = power

God, Gold, and Glory

History of Colonialism

Began in 1400s and discovered N. America

From 1776 – 1824 European Powers lost most of their colonies in W. Hemisphere

European powers then focused on Africa and Asia

Imperialism v. Colonialism

Colonization of Africa/Asia is referred to as Imperialism

Imperialism is control of territory already occupied and organized by an indigenous society, whereas colonialism is control of previously uninhabited or sparsely inhabited land

Largest Colonial Powers

United Kingdom had the largest colonial empire. “Sun never set” on their empire.

France had the second-largest overseas territory.

Colonial Practices (France)

France attempted to assimilate colonies into French culture.

France tried to educate an elite group to provide local leadership

After independence a lot of French colonies retained close ties with France.

Colonial Practices (The U.K.)

The British created different governments for different territories

This protected the diverse cultures and local customs.

Most British colonies made peaceful transition to independence

The Few Remaining colonies

Most Populous Colony—Puerto RicoOne half of population wants to be a state

and one half wants to remain a commonwealth of the U.S.

Pitcairn is the least (U.K.)This is the island settled by mutineers from

the ship Bounty54 people, 2 sq. mi.

Boundaries and DisputesBoundaries and Disputes

WORLD ISSUESWORLD ISSUES

Five Basic Shapes of States

CompactProruptedElongatedFragmentedPerforted

Compact

Efficient to govern Distance from center to

boundary does not vary Beneficial to small states;

easy to set up communication systems if capital is in center

Examples: Rwanda and Uganda

Prorupted

Compact state with a large projecting extension

Can provide access to a resource

Separate two states that would share a boundary

Example: Caprivi strip in Namibia

Elongated

Regions can be separated from capital

Country may have poor communications

Ex. include Chile and Norway

Fragmented

State that has several discontinuous pieces of territory.

2 types Separated by water

and separated by another state.

Tin Bigha corridor (Fragment)

Perforted

A state that completely surrounds another state.

Lesotho is surrounded by S. Africa

Landlocked states

Lacks a direct outlet to the sea.Most common in Africa, 14 states are

landlockedOcean access is critical, international

trade.Landlocked states must work with

neighboring states to transport goods to the ocean.

Types of boundaries

PhysicalGeometricCultural

Physical Boundaries

Use physical features to establish boundary. Mountains Deserts Bodies of water, rivers.

Geometric Boundaries

Lines drawn on maps that follow specific lines of latitude or longitude.

Cultural Boundaries

Religious boundaries Used in dividing Ireland and Pakistan/India

Language Boundaries European countries set main boundaries based

on language. Ex. France, Germany, and Italy.

May also classify boundary when boundary was made.

Antecedent boundary—drawn before an area becomes populated.

Subsequent boundary—drawn after the cultural landscape has been developed.

Consequent boundary is a type of subsequent boundary that is drawn to accommodate differences within a state.

Subsequent superimposed boundaries—boundaries forced on a country by a conquering or colonizing power.

What are the government responsibilities inside a state?

establishes the legal codewhat kind of currency will be usedmay have to join army speak a common languagekind of religion that is taught in school

Two types of states.

1. Unitary: Highly centralized governments, few internal cultural contrasts, strong sense of national identity, borders are cultural as well as political.

2. Federal: Associations with provinces or states and the states have strong regional govt. responsibilities. Capital city was created to serve as an administration center.

The trend is for countries to have a federal government.

Boundary Disputes

1. Positional disputes: When states disagree about the interpretations of documents that define a boundary. Usually arise when the boundary is antecedent.

2. Territorial dispute: These arise when a boundary has been superimposed and divides a ethnic population.

Boundary Disputes (Cont.)

3. Resource disputes: Disagree to the resources and their use in boundary areas.

4. Functional disputes: arise when neighboring states disagree over policies applied to boundaries. Usually over the issue of land use or immigration.