Vocab
A country, which is a political unit (formal region)
State
The ability to stand alone politically and economically and be recognized as independent.
Sovereignty
A border drawn over existing accepted borders by an outside/conquering force
Superimposed boundary
A nation where the people are spread across the borders of multiple countries
Multi-state nation
When a powerful state gains influence over a weaker territory through force
Imperialism
Ethnic group (people only).
Nation
A state (country) made up almost entirely of one ethnic group or nation.
Nation state
A boundary established after the settlement of a region
Subsequent boundary
A state that has many nations that are legally separated in their borders
Multinational state
The movement of power from the central government to regional governments or breakup of a large state into several independent ones
Devolution
A narrow, strategic passageway to another place through which it is difficult to pass.
Choke point
A territory within a country that has control over its own local affairs (has a complete sense of self-governance)
Autonomous region
Boundaries drawn using longitude and latitude lines
Geometric boundary
The policy of reclaiming territory from another state based off of shared culture, ethnicity, etc.
Irredentism
Determines the boundaries of an area through a treaty
Delimit
The practice of claiming and dominating overseas territories
Colonialism
A region where states join and break up because of conflicts and because they are caught between the interests of more powerful outside states
Shatterbelt
A former boundary that no longer has an official function
Relic boundary
A nation (ethnic group) without its own official territory. Often refugees
Stateless nation
A boundary marked on the ground with objects
Demarcated
To influence or control people and events by taking control over a geographical area
Territoriality
The right of all people to choose their own political status
Self-determination
A boundary between two states that is created before the area is humanly populated
Antecedent boundary
Stronger countries control the economies, politics, and culture of weaker countries
Neocolonialism
An area between opposing forces where military activity and weapons are banned
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)