Key Issue #2 –

Where are boundaries drawn between states?

How does shape effect a state?

A state is separated from its neighbors by a boundary, an invisible line marking the extent of a state’s territory. Boundaries result from a

combination of natural physical features (rivers, deserts, or mountains) and cultural features (language or religion).

Boundaries completely surround an individual state to mark the outer limits of its territorial control and to give it a distinctive shape.

SHAPES OF STATES

The shape of a state controls the length of its boundaries with other states. It is part of its unique identity (think Italy). Beyond its value as a centripetal force, the shape of a

state can influence the ease or difficulty of internal administration and can affect unity.

Each shape displays distinctive characteristics and problems…

Compact States

Group #1: Benefits? Group #2: Downfalls? Group #3: Examples?

Compact States

BENEFITSIn a compact state, the distance from the center to any boundary does not vary significantly.

Ease of communicationEasy to defend

EXAMPLES

Burundi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Uruguay

DOWNFALLSTo be identified as a compact state means to be fairly small in size

May be scarce in natural resources (not a catch all!)

May lack population needed for labor, protection

Compact StatesKenyaBurundi

Prorupted States

Group #1: Examples? Group #2: Benefits? Group #3: Downfalls?

Prorupted States

BENEFITS(1)a proruption can provide

access to a resource, such as water.

(2)proruptions can separate two states that would otherwise border each

other.

EXAMPLES

Thailand, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo,

Afghanistan, Myanmar

DOWNFALLS(1) May be difficult to govern regions of proruptions

(2) May be difficult to protect prorupted region

Elongated States

Group #1: Downfalls? Group #2: Examples? Group #3: Benefits?

Elongated States

BENEFITS

(1)Less land to protect?(2)May have access to more

resources from different regions

EXAMPLES

Chile, Norway, Italy, Gambia, Vietnam, Laos

DOWNFALLS(1)poor internal

communication?(2)Difficult to protect(3)A region located at an

extreme end of the elongation might be isolated from the capital, which is usually situated at the center.

Elongated States…

Gambia

Chile

Fragmented States

Group #1: Benefits? Group #2: Downfalls? Group #3: Examples?

Fragmented States

BENEFITS

(1)Local ethnicities/nationalities can maintain a large degree of

independence

EXAMPLES

Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, the Bahamas,

India, Panama

DOWNFALLS(1)Difficult to protect(2)Difficult to mandate national

level laws/ordinances(3)Political conflict if separated

by another state(4)Communication hindered(5)Transportation of goods

difficult

Perforated States

Group #1: Examples? Group #2: Benefits? Group #3: Downfalls?

Perforated States

BENEFITS

(1)??????

EXAMPLES

South Africa, Vatican City

DOWNFALLS(1)Unrest in the state creating

the perforation can carry into the perforated state

(2)Negative for the state inside because they must depend on the surrounding state for imports/exports

Landlocked States

A landlocked state lacks a direct outlet to the sea because it is completely surrounded by several other countries. Landlocked states are most common in Africa (14). Direct access to the ocean is critical because it

facilitates international trade. To send and receive goods by the sea, a landlocked state must arrange to use another country’s seaport.

Depending on the relationship with other countries, this may not always be possible.

TYPES OF BOUNDARIESHistorically, frontiers rather than boundaries

separated states. A frontier is a zone where no state exercises complete political control. A frontier is tangible, whereas a border is invisible. A frontier provides a buffer between states, whereas a border

brings neighbors into direct contact, increasing the potential for violence.

Almost universally, frontiers have been replaced by borders.

The only places remaining with frontiers are Antarctica and the Arabian Peninsula.

Physical Boundaries

Physical features make suitable boundaries because they can be seen. There are 3 types of physical boundaries: Mountain Boundaries – Are only effective if

they’re difficult to cross. They sometimes isolate nationalities on either side of the mountains.

Desert Boundaries – A boundary drawn in a desert can also effectively divide two states. Like mountains, deserts are hard to cross and are sparsely inhabited.

Water boundaries – Rivers, lakes, and oceans are the physical features most commonly used as physical boundaries. Water boundaries are visible on a map and are relatively unchanging. They also offer good protection.

Cultural Boundaries

The boundaries between some states coincide with differences in ethnicity or can they be straight lines. Geometric Boundaries – These boundaries are

usually fixed according to a line of latitude. The US and Canada share a 1,300 mile border along 49º North latitude. This treaty was established in 1846 between the US and Britain.

49th Parallel

141 W Longitude

Religious Boundaries – Religious differences often coincide with boundaries between states, but in only a few cases has the religion been used to set the actual border. The best example is when Britain partitioned India due to the predominantly Muslim areas in the west (present day Pakistan).

Language Boundaries – Language has been an important characteristic for drawing boundaries, especially in Europe. France, England, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Italy all came together because of language.

Language Barriers continued…

• After WWI, the victors sat down to redraw the map of Europe. One of the most important criterions used to create new states in Europe was language.• The conference was particularly troubled by Eastern and

Southern Europe, areas that were plagued by political instability.

• Most of the areas created stood for several decades. Later, despite speaking similar languages, Czechs and Slovaks found they couldn’t live together, as did the Croats, Macedonians, Serbs, and Slovenes. The breakup of these countries created a huge change in Eastern Europe.

The Geography of Representation

Electoral geographyCensus,

Reapportionment, Redistricting Gerrymandering (practice

of drawing boundaries of legislative districts so as to unfairly favor one political party over another). GOAL: To earn the most

seats in the U.S. House of Representatives from your state

Fig.9.p332

Forms of Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering in Pennsylvania?

Wasted Vote- Spread opposition supporters across many districts but in the minority (also called “cracking” districts)

Excess Vote- Concentrate opposition supporters into a few districts (also called “packing” districts)Stacked Vote- Links distant areas of like

minded voters through oddly shaped boundaries

All key powers to the central or national government (it is not the only level of government) That government

creates other local, state, or provincial governments and gives them limited sovereignty

Examples? Chile, China, Cuba,

SyriaOligarchies Absolute Monarchies

Unitary systems work best in these forms of government…

Theocracies

Authoritarian Dictatorships

Central Government

(Power exists here)

Local/State Government

(LimitedPower)

Local/State Government

(LimitedPower)

Local/State Government

(Limited Power)

Divides the powers of government between the national government and the state or provincial governments

Each level of government has sovereignty in some areas

Examples? United States, Brazil, India, South Africa

Federal (CentralGovernment)

Specified Powers

State/Local Government

Specified Powers

State/Local Government

Specified Powers

State/Local Government

Specified Powers

Federal Systems work best in these forms of government…

Indirect DemocraciesConstitutional Monarchies