Political GeographyPolitical Geography

Ch. 4, Sec. 3Ch. 4, Sec. 3

State – independent unit in a specific area State – independent unit in a specific area that governs their own affairs that governs their own affairs

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

When the 2 are together = nation-stateWhen the 2 are together = nation-state

Types of GovernmentTypes of Government

Democracy – citizens hold power (direct/ Democracy – citizens hold power (direct/ representative)representative)

Monarchy – ruling family holds the powerMonarchy – ruling family holds the powerDictatorship – an individual or group holds Dictatorship – an individual or group holds

all the powerall the powerCommunism – nearly all political power Communism – nearly all political power

and means of production (economy) are and means of production (economy) are held by the gov’t in the name of the held by the gov’t in the name of the peoplepeople

Geographic Characteristics of NationsGeographic Characteristics of NationsSize – size Size – size == power powerShapeShape

Affects governing, trade and travelAffects governing, trade and travel

Geographic CharacteristicsGeographic CharacteristicsLocationLocation

Landlocked – no direct route to seaLandlocked – no direct route to seaCan help increase trade or cause a need for Can help increase trade or cause a need for

protectionprotection

National BoundariesNational BoundariesEstablishes limits of controlEstablishes limits of controlNatural bnd. – based on physical features of Natural bnd. – based on physical features of

the landthe landArtificial bnd. – fixed line generally following Artificial bnd. – fixed line generally following

latitude or longitude lineslatitude or longitude lines

Urban GeographyUrban Geography

Ch. 4, Sec. 4Ch. 4, Sec. 4

Urban areas develop around a central cityUrban areas develop around a central citySuburbs = built up area around central citySuburbs = built up area around central cityExurbs = cities or towns with space btw. Exurbs = cities or towns with space btw.

them and the central citythem and the central cityAll 3 = Metropolitan areaAll 3 = Metropolitan areaMegalopolis = more than one metropolitan Megalopolis = more than one metropolitan

area that has grown togetherarea that has grown together

ExurbExurb ExurbExurb

SuburbsSuburbs

CentralCentral

City City ExurbExurb

ExurbExurb

ExurbExurb

City locationsCity locations

Cities grew for easy transportation accessCities grew for easy transportation accessRivers, coast line, railroadsRivers, coast line, railroads

Specialize in what is available around Specialize in what is available around themthemEx: Pittsburgh – close to iron ore and coal Ex: Pittsburgh – close to iron ore and coal

sources = produce steelsources = produce steel

Land UseLand Use

ResidentialResidential Industrial – manufacturing goodsIndustrial – manufacturing goodsCommercial – buying and selling of goodsCommercial – buying and selling of goods

Central business district – core of the city that Central business district – core of the city that focuses on commercial activitiesfocuses on commercial activities

Functions of a cityFunctions of a city

BusinessBusinessEntertainmentEntertainmentEducationEducationCultural activitiesCultural activitiesReligious and social servicesReligious and social services