AP Human Geography Unit 4 Review

Introduction

• Focus on political geography concepts
• Importance of study guide and ultimate review packet
  • Includes review videos, quizzes, study guides, practice exams

State vs Nation

• State: Geographic area with permanent population, defined borders, sovereign government, recognized by other states
  • Sovereign government controls domestic and international affairs
• Nation: Group of people with shared culture, history, and desire for self-governance
  • Important concept: Self-determination

Political Entities

• Nation-state: Self-governing state with uniform population sharing language, culture, history (e.g., Japan, Iceland)
• Multinational state: Contains multiple nations within borders (e.g., Canada with English and French groups)
• Multi-state nation: Nation across multiple states (e.g., Kurds)
• Stateless nation: Nation without a recognized state (e.g., Kurds, Basques)
• Autonomous region: Region with self-governance within a state (e.g., Native American reservations)
• Semi-autonomous region: Region with limited self-governance (e.g., Hong Kong)

Historical Political Processes

• Colonialism: Acquiring territories to exert control
• Imperialism: Expanding influence without settlements
• Impacts of colonialism and imperialism on culture and political boundaries
• Decolonization: Process by which colonies gain independence
• Devolution: Transfer of power from central to regional governments

Territoriality and Political Power

• Territoriality: Tendency to establish and defend an area
• Neocolonialism: Indirect control over less developed countries
  • Example: China's influence in Africa
• Shatterbelts: Regions caught between conflicting powers (e.g., Eastern Europe during Cold War)
• Choke points: Strategic areas controlling passage (e.g., Panama Canal)

Boundaries

• International boundaries: Separate sovereign states
• Internal boundaries: Separate regions within a state
• Types of boundaries
  • Geometric: Straight lines (e.g., US-Canada border)
  • Antecedent: Pre-existing before human settlement
  • Relic: No longer recognized but impacts landscape
  • Superimposed: Imposed by external powers
  • Subsequent: Develop with cultural landscape
  • Consequent: Separate ethnic, religious, linguistic groups

Boundary Disputes

• Definitional: Disputes over interpretation of legal documents
• Locational: Disputes over boundary location
• Operational: Disputes over boundary management
• Allocational: Disputes over resource allocation

Law of the Sea

• Territorial Waters: 12 nautical miles, full sovereignty
• Contiguous Zone: 12-24 miles, control over customs, immigration
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 24-200 miles, rights to resources

Internal Boundaries and Gerrymandering

• Redistricting: Redrawing voting districts post-census
• Gerrymandering: Manipulating boundaries for political gain
  • Cracking: Spreading like-minded voters
  • Packing: Concentrating like-minded voters

Forms of Governance

• Unitary State: Centralized national government
• Federal State: Distributed power between national and regional governments

Devolutionary Factors

• Physical geography, cultural divisions, political instability
• Examples: Ethnic separatism in Basque, Catalans, Kurds
• Economic inequalities, government corruption, and irredentism

Technological and Globalization Challenges

• Impact of internet and social media on sovereignty
• Supernational organizations: Alliances for common goals
  • Political: United Nations, African Union
  • Economic: European Union, ASEAN
  • Environmental: Arctic Council

Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

• Centrifugal: Forces that divide (e.g., cultural differences)
• Centripetal: Forces that unite (e.g., shared history)
• Impact on state stability and unity

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding political geography concepts
• Encouragement to utilize study guides and resources for exam preparation