AP Human Geography Unit 4 Overview

Introduction

• Review of major concepts in Unit 4.
• Resources include study guides, quizzes, practice exams, vocab lists.

States and Nations

• State: Geographic area with a permanent population, defined borders, a sovereign government, and recognition by other states.
• Nation: Group of people with shared culture, history, homeland, and desire for self-governance.

Types of Political Entities

• Nation-State: A state with a relatively uniform population, e.g., Japan, Iceland.
• Multinational State: Multiple nations within borders, e.g., Canada.
• Multi-State Nation: A nation existing across multiple states, e.g., Kurds.
• Stateless Nation: Nations without a state, e.g., Kurds, Basques.

Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Regions

• Autonomous Region: High degree of self-rule, e.g., Native American reservations.
• Semi-Autonomous Region: Moderate self-governance, e.g., Hong Kong.

Colonialism and Imperialism

• Colonialism: Acquiring territories and settling them.
• Imperialism: Exerting control over other nations for power without settling.
• Impact on political boundaries and cultural diffusion.

Devolution and Its Factors

• Devolution: Transfer of power from central to regional governments.
• Factors: Physical geography, cultural divisions, political instability, economic/social inequality.

Political Boundaries and Territoriality

• Territoriality: Establishing ownership of an area.
• Boundary Types:
  • Geometric, antecedent, relic, superimposed, subsequent, consequent.
• Boundary Disputes: Definitional, locational, operational, allocational.

Law of the Sea and Importance

• UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: Territorial waters, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Internal Boundaries and Gerrymandering

• Redistricting: Redrawing districts based on population.
• Gerrymandering: Manipulating district boundaries to favor a party.

Forms of Governance

• Unitary State: Centralized power at the national level.
• Federal State: Power shared between national and regional governments.

Challenges to Sovereignty

• Technological Impacts: Internet and social media influence.
• Globalization: Economic dependencies.
• Supernational Organizations: Political, economic, and environmental alliances.

Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

• Centrifugal Forces: Divide a state or people.
• Centripetal Forces: Unite a state or people.
• Impact on state stability and unity.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding these concepts for the AP exam.
• Encouragement to use additional resources for study and practice.