AP Human Geography - Unit 4 Review

Introduction

• Review major concepts of Unit 4 for AP Human Geography.
• Study guide and Ultimate Review Packet available with practice quizzes, vocab lists, and more.

Key Concepts

State vs. Nation

• State: Geographic area with a permanent population, defined borders, sovereign government, and recognized by other states.
  • Control over domestic and international affairs.
• Nation: Group with shared culture, history, homeland, and desire to govern themselves.
  • Concept of self-determination.

Political Entities

• Nation State: Self-governing state with uniform population (e.g., Japan, Iceland).
• Multinational State: Multiple nations within borders (e.g., Canada).
• Multi-State Nation: Nation across multiple states (e.g., Kurds, Basque).
• Stateless Nation: Nation without a recognized state.
• Autonomous Region: Region with high degree of self-rule (e.g., Native American reservations).
• Semi-Autonomous Region: Region with moderate self-governance (e.g., Hong Kong).

Historical Influences

Colonialism and Imperialism

• Colonialism: Acquiring territories to exert control.
• Imperialism: Exerting power over nations without settlements.
• European powers created boundaries favoring colonizers, leading to conflicts post-independence.

Decolonization

• Process of colonies gaining independence post-WWII.

Devolution

• Transfer of political power from central to regional governments.
• Examples include the UK’s Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly.

Political Power and Territoriality

• Territoriality: Establishing and defending geographic areas.
• Neocolonialism: Indirect use of power by dominant countries.
• Shatter Belts: Regions caught between conflicting larger powers.
• Choke Points: Geographic areas crucial for trade and military strategy.

Political Boundaries

• Types of Boundaries:
  • Geometric, Antecedent, Relic, Superimposed, Subsequent, Consequent.
• Boundary Disputes:
  • Definitional, Locational, Operational, Allocational.

Law of the Sea

• Territorial waters, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Internal Boundaries

• Voting districts, redistricting, and gerrymandering.
• Gerrymandering Methods:
  • Cracking: Spreading voters across districts.
  • Packing: Concentrating voters in a few districts.

Governance

• Unitary State: Power concentrated at national level.
• Federal State: Power distributed between national and regional governments.

Devolutionary Factors

• Physical Geography: Isolation leading to cultural differences.
• Cultural Division: Ethnic and linguistic differences.
• Economic and Social Inequality: Leads to frustration and division.
• Government Corruption and Abuse.
• Irredentism: Movement to unite across borders.

Technological and Global Challenges

• Impact of Technology: Social media and internet influence.
• Globalization: Dependence on global commodities and influence.

Supernational Organizations

• Political: UN, African Union, NATO.
• Economic: EU, ASEAN.
• Environmental: Arctic Council.

Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

• Centrifugal Forces: Divide people and states.
• Centripetal Forces: Unite people and states.

Conclusion

• Ultimate Review Packet includes additional resources for study and practice quizzes.
• Addressing questions and preparing for exams.