AP Human Geography Unit 4 Review

Overview

• Review of major concepts in Unit 4
• Use study guides, practice quizzes, and additional resources for thorough understanding

Key Concepts

Difference Between State and Nation

• State:
  • Geographic area with a permanent population
  • Defined borders, sovereign government
  • Recognized by other states
  • Sovereignty over domestic and international affairs
• Nation:
  • Group of people with shared culture, history, and homeland
  • Desire for self-governance (self-determination)

Political Entities

• Nation State:
  • Self-governing, uniform population
  • Strong national identity (e.g., Japan, Iceland)
• Multinational State:
  • Contains multiple nations
  • Dominant cultural group controls systems (e.g., Canada)
• Multi-state Nation:
  • Nation existing across multiple states (e.g., Kurds)
• Stateless Nation:
  • Nation without recognized state (e.g., Kurds, Basques)

Autonomous and Semi-autonomous Regions

• Autonomous Region:
  • High degree of self-rule within a state (e.g., Native American reservations)
• Semi-autonomous Region:
  • Limited self-governance (e.g., Hong Kong)

Historical Political Processes

Colonialism and Imperialism

• Colonialism:
  • Acquiring territories for control
  • Imposition of colonizer’s culture
• Imperialism:
  • Exertion of force for power without settlement
• Impact on boundaries and global diffusion

Decolonization

• Process of gaining independence from colonizers
• Challenges from colonial-imposed boundaries

Devolution

• Transfer of power from central to regional government
• Examples: United Kingdom (Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly)

Political Power and Territoriality

Territoriality

• Establishment and defense of geographic area
• Methods: military, boundary control, non-verbal communication

Neocolonialism

• Indirect control or influence (e.g., China in Africa)
• Exploitation of resources and labor

Shatter Belts and Choke Points

• Shatter Belts: Regions under external pressures (e.g., Eastern Europe during Cold War)
• Choke Points: Strategically important areas (e.g., Panama Canal)

Political Boundaries

Types of Boundaries

• Geometric: Straight lines (e.g., US-Canada border)
• Antecedent: Pre-existing boundaries
• Relic: No longer recognized but impact persists (e.g., Berlin Wall)
• Superimposed: Imposed by external powers
• Subsequent: Develop alongside cultural landscape
• Consequent: Separating different groups (e.g., India-Pakistan)

Functions and Disputes

• International vs. Internal Boundaries
• Dispute Types:
  • Definitional, locational, operational, allocational

UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)

• Defines maritime rights and zones

Governance and Political Systems

Forms of Governance

• Unitary States: Centralized power
• Federal States: Power shared with regional governments

Devolutionary Factors

• Physical geography, cultural divisions, political instability
• Ethnic separatism in multinational states

Technological and Global Challenges to Sovereignty

Impact of Technology and Globalization

• Easier information sharing impacts sovereignty
• Autocratic governments challenged by social media

Supernational Organizations

• Alliances for common goals (e.g., UN, EU, ASEAN)
• Influence over member states’ sovereignty

Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces

Centrifugal Forces

• Divide people/state
• Uneven development, cultural differences, corruption

Centripetal Forces

• Unify people/state
• Patriotism, economic opportunities, strong national government

Conclusion

• Check study guide answers
• Use practice quizzes and resources for exam preparation
• Thank you for participating in the review!