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Political Geography

World Geography and CulturesChapter 4

Political geography looks at…How the world has been divided into many political regionsWhy people form political units like countries and states

Ease of managementNatural or artificial boundariesCommon culture and/or interests

How the different political units interact with each other

Geopolitics

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State vs. NationState/Country

An independent political unit that occupies a specific territory and controls its internal and external affairs

• Territory and government

Nation A group of people with a common culture living in a territory and having a strong sense of unity

• People

It’s good to be da king…Monarchy

A form of government in which a ruling family holds political control

Constitutional monarchyA government in which a parliament makes and enforces most laws, a prime minister is the chief lawmakerThe monarchy exists as a cultural icon and global representative of the country

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Communism Originally introduced by Karl Marx and Max EnglesPresents the idea that all means and profits from production should be shared equally among the people

From each according to ability –To each according to needNo economically based social classes

Strong centralized government needed to maintain communist economy

Generally flawed system especially in large countries

Geographic Characteristics of CountriesSizeShape

ElongatedCompactFragmentedProruptedPerforated

Location LandlockedTransportation routes

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Why are Boundaries Important?Within their (sovereign) boundaries a state can

Collect taxesSet up a legal codeRegulate tradeDeclare official languagesClaim resourcesControl population

Natural boundaryBased on physical features of the land

Artificial boundaryGenerally follows latitude and longitude and are created by humans

Regional political systemsCountries form smaller political units (country, state, county, city) to make governing more effectiveUsually the smaller units will have more direct contact with the people

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Informal or Perceptual RegionThese are regions which are defined by people’s perceptions

Relative location

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