Chapter 4 Section 3

Political Geography

• For your notes today, please fold your paper in half and then half again

• You should have four boxes on the front, and four on the back

State

• Definition: Independent unit that occupies a certain territory, has full control of its internal and external affairs.

• Examples (often the term “country” is used to mean state)

• Not examples:

Japan

South Korea

Kansas- technically a “state?”

Nation

• Definition: Group of people with common culture living in a territory and having unity, don’t have to have territory!!

• Examples of landless nations: Palestinians, Kurds

Examples?

Palestinians- Stateless nation

Natural Boundaries

•Definition: Country boundaries based on physical features of land (rivers, lakes, chains of mountains.

• Examples?

Artificial Boundaries

• Definition: a fixed line generally following latitude or longitude lines

• Examples

Practice

• Turn to page A20 in your textbook

• Find one natural boundary that we have not spoken about

• Find one artificial boundary that we have not spoken about

• Be prepared to be called on!

Types of Governments

• Democracy: Citizens hold political power, either directly or through elected representatives

Examples?

Switzerland

Types of Governments

• Monarchy: A ruling family headed by a king or queen holds political power. (They don’t always share power with citizens!)

Examples?

Saudi Arabia

Vatican City

Types of Government

•Dictatorship: individual or group hold complete political power

• Examples?North Korea

Types of Government

• Communism: nearly all political power and means of production are held by the government in the name of all the people.

Examples?

Cuba

China

Important things to remember

• 1) The physical size of a country has nothing to do with its wealth and power

Important things to remember…

2) Location of a country matters

• Landlocked nations have a disadvantage. Why?

• Hostile neighbors are also never good…