AP Human Geography: Unit 4 Review

Introduction

• Unit 4 focuses on major concepts relevant to AP Human Geography.
• Includes distinctions between states, nations, and various political entities.

Key Concepts

State vs. Nation

• State: Geographic area with a permanent population, defined borders, a sovereign government, and recognition by other states.
  • Sovereign government controls domestic and international affairs.
• Nation: Group of people with a shared culture, history, homeland, and desire for self-governance.
  • Self-determination: Right or desire to self-govern.
  • Cultural groups often seek territorial control to safeguard heritage.

Types of Political Entities

• Nation-State: Self-governing state with a uniform population sharing language, culture, and history (e.g., Japan, Iceland, South Korea).
• Multinational State: Multiple nations within borders, often with a dominant culture (e.g., Canada with English and French groups).
• Multi-State Nation: Nation existing across multiple states (e.g., Kurds, Basques).
• Stateless Nation: Nation without an officially recognized state.
• Autonomous Region: Part of a state with high self-rule (e.g., Native American reservations).
• Semi-Autonomous Region: Partly self-governing region under state control (e.g., Hong Kong).

Colonialism and Imperialism

• Colonialism: Acquiring territories and settling to exert control.
• Imperialism: Exerting force over other nations for economic/political power without settlements.
• Colonialism led to diffusion of cultures but often imposed colonizers’ cultures on colonized.
• Historical events like the Berlin Conference shaped current political boundaries.

Devolution and Territoriality

• Devolution: Transfer of power from central to regional governments.
• Territoriality: Tendency to establish and defend a geographic area.
• Neocolonialism: Indirect use of power to influence/control another country (e.g., China's influence in Africa).
• Shatterbelt Regions: Areas caught between conflicting powers (e.g., Eastern Europe during Cold War).
• Choke Points: Strategically important geographic areas controlled for political power (e.g., Panama Canal).

Political Boundaries

• Defined: Agreed upon boundary lines.
• Delimited: Boundary lines drawn on a map.
• Demarcated: Physically marked boundaries.
• Types:
  • Geometric: Straight lines (e.g., US-Canada border).
  • Antecedent: Before human settlement.
  • Relic: No longer recognized but impacts culture (e.g., Berlin Wall).
  • Superimposed: Created by external powers without local input.
  • Subsequent: Developed with cultural landscape.
  • Consequent: Separate ethnic/religious groups.

Boundary Disputes

• Definitional: Interpretation issues of boundary documents.
• Locational: Issues over boundary location and land ownership.
• Operational: Different management ideas of boundaries.
• Allocational: Disputes over resources on/in the boundary.

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

• Zones: Territorial Waters (12 nautical miles), Contiguous Zone (24 nautical miles), Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nautical miles).

Internal Boundaries and Gerrymandering

• Internal Boundaries: Separate regions within a state (e.g., voting districts).
• Gerrymandering: Redistricting to favor political parties.
  • Cracking: Spread out like-minded voters.
  • Packing: Concentrate like-minded voters.

Forms of Governance

• Unitary States: Centralized power at national level.
• Federal States: Power distributed between national and regional governments.

Devolutionary Factors

• Physical geography, cultural divisions, political instability, economic/social inequalities, government corruption, and irredentism can lead to devolution.

Technological and Globalization Challenges

• Technological Advancements: Spread information globally, challenge state control.
• Supernational Organizations: Alliance of countries for common goals (e.g., UN, NATO, EU).

Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

• Centrifugal Forces: Divide people, states, or groups (e.g., economic inequality, cultural differences).
• Centripetal Forces: Unite people, states, or groups (e.g., shared identity, lack of corruption).

Conclusion

• Understanding of these concepts is crucial for success in AP Human Geography.
• Additional resources available in the ultimate review packet for further study.