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Political Geography . Where are states located? Where are boundaries drawn between states? Why do boundaries between states cause problems? Why do sates cooperate with each other? . POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. Interaction of politics and place.
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Political Geography Where are states located? Where are boundaries drawn between states? Why do boundaries between states cause problems? Why do sates cooperate with each other?
POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY Interaction of politics and place • The study of the interaction of geographical area and political process • It is the formal study of territoriality. • Covers forms of government, borders, treaties, trading blocs, conflicts and war.
Where are states located? • During the Cold War there was two regions • Those with the Soviets and those with the U.S. • This changed in the late 80’s • With the fall of the Soviets and loosening power of the U.S. • States are not divided up just by geographical features • Often conflicts. politics and nationalities divide areas
STATE • A politically organized territory • Administered by a sovereign government • Recognized by a significant portion of the international community. A state must also contain: • a permanent resident population • an organized economy
State- An area organized into a political unit by a sovereign government. • Occupies a defined area on the earths surface with a permanent population • Sovereignty- A states independence of internal affairs from other states • Antarctica is the only land mass that does not belong to any state. • Treaties of 1959 and 1991 define this • Some countries claim portions but the UN refuses to acknowledge claim • Australia, Norway, France, Chile, U.K., New Zealand
Antarctica National Claims An Antarctica is the only large mass that is not part of a state, but several countries claim portions of it.
Territoriality • We divide these states by boundaries and these vary- Territoriality (Country) and Personal Space (Like a pit bull) • Robert Sack- Humans territory is far more complex then an animals- (paper work could allow a visitor) • Nations- Unified people with a common culture • They don’t have to have a state- Navajo Indians, Kurds in Iraq, Roma (gypsies), Palestine • Nations-State- a state in which 90% is made up of one nationality • Japan tries to keep this, Iceland, Armenia, Bangladesh, Lesotho
NATION - STATE • A country whose population possesses a substantial degree of cultural homogeneity and unity. Classic Example of a Nation-State: Japan
Problems defining States • Korea- occupied by Japan until after WWII then divided into two sovereign countries North Korea (Communist) and South Korea (Dictatorship/ Democracy) • North Korea ( Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) • South Korea ( Republic of Korea) • In 1950 the North will invade the South and start a three year war- Korean War • The US backed the South (37,000 casualties) • The Soviets backed the North
Truce was drawn in 1953 at the 38th Parallel • Armistice still stands today- actively at war • DMZ- The most militarized zone in Korea • Both governments are actively pursuing reunification of the country • Experts expect it in the next five years (!) • Relations between North and South are fragile • Sinking of the Corvette Cheonan • Propaganda across the line • Aid to North Korea • Nuclear Weapons and military demonstrations • DMZ activity
China and Taiwan- after the communist take over of China the Nationalist fled • The nationalist claim to be the rulers of China but will take Taiwan for now • Since then China has claimed Taiwan but the people of Taiwan still claim sovereignty • Africa- Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic claims the territory of the western Sahara • Morocco claims their own sovereignty and built a wall around its city • Cease fire was administered by the UN in 1991; Spain now controls two cities in Morocco
United Nations Member States (192) The United Nations System is based on five active principal organs UN General Assembly UN Security Council UN Economic and Social Council UN Secretariat International Court of Justice Non-member States Taiwan (China) Vatican City Western Sahara (territory of Morocco) Palestinian Territories Tibet (China)
United Nations Members The UN has increased from 51 members in 1945 to 192 in 2009.
Enlargement of Soviet bloc after World War II Berlin Wall, 1961-89
There are smaller states referred to as Micro-states- States with very small land areas. • Monaco- .6 square miles • City-State- a sovereign state that compromises the city and its surrounding farmland • The original states in ancient times • Grew to its most powerful during the Roman Empire • After the fall of the Roman Empire Nobles and kings sucked up all surrounding cities and this started large nations like England, France and Spain
The Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent was the site of early city-states and a succession of ancient empires.
NATION - STATE • A country whose population possesses a substantial degree of cultural homogeneity and unity. Classic Example of a Nation-State: Japan
Ruling other Nations • Colonialism- effort of one country to implement settlements to impose political, economic, an a cultural agenda on another territory • 3 reasons- • Missionaries trying to impose Christianity • Raw materials and other resources • Increase the prestige of their country ( more territories) • Colony- territory that is legally tied to a sovereign state rather then being completely independent
Colonial Possessions, 1914 By the outbreak of World War I, European states held colonies throughout the world, especially throughout Africa and in much of Asia.
Colonial Possessions, 2009 Most of the remaining colonies are small islands in the Pacific or Caribbean.
Ethnicities in Africa The boundaries of African states do not (and cannot) coincide with the thousands of ethnic groups on the continent.
Imperialism- taking control of a territory that is already occupied by the indigenous people • After colonization ended these countries established independence • There are a few left in the S. Pacific and the Caribbean • Pitcairn Island- smallest colony only 54 residents, only 2 square miles – founded by a British vessel Bounty, they sell stamps and fish in order to make a living
Koreans Imperialism: Kim So Wol • When seeing me sickens you and you walk out I'll send you off without a word, no fuss. • Yongbyon's mount Yaksan's azaleas by the armful I'll scatter in your path. • With parting steps on those strewn flowers treading lightly, go on, leave. • When seeing me sickens you and you walk out why, I'd rather die than weep one tear.
East versus West: View of Communist “Red Bloc” during Cold War Lumping failed to recognize differences among Communists, or local causes of conflict
Heartlands and Core Areas-Core of a country • Capitals are often located there • They are relocated for various reasons- • Brazil, Rio de Janeiro- to Brasilia- Why? • Pakistan, Karachi to Islamabad- next Kashmir- Why? • Brasilia became the Growth Pole- draws people and jobs • Islamabad is a Forward Capital- Bold statement • Boundary Creation of States • Definition- Legal boundary is drawn • Delimitation- Drawn on a map • Demarcation- A physical barrier- Great Wall, USA- Mexico • Administration – Protect the borders
Key Issue 2 - Where are boundaries drawn? • Boundary- invisible marking the extent of a states territory • 2 types- • Physical- Mountains, Deserts, water • All strategically important • Oceans are problem because the extent that country owns; 1983- established ruling 12 nautical miles out from land and fishing rights 200 miles • Cultural Boundaries- Geometric- mathematical lines drawn on a map • Religious, Language (often found in Europe) • Implemented lines- UN nations- Green Line in Cyprus • Relic Boundaries- Hadrian's wall and the Great Wall
U.S.- Canada boundary Alberta- Montana
U.S.- Mexico boundary Calexico, California- Mexicali, Mexico
Boundary Types • Antecedent Boundary- Developed early- before the Cultural landscape • Subsequent- After the cultural landscape- • Consequent- Accommodate existing social boundaries- Language, religion, etc.. • Superimposed- Colonial or Imperialized boundaries • Leads to problems- Africa • Irredentism-group in a country seeks to reunite within another country • Somalia and Ethiopia- Albania and the Serbs (kosovo)
Territorial Morphology- Relationship of a territories shape and its internal and external issues • This leads to five shapes of states- • Compact States- distance from the center to the boundary is short • Prorupted State- Compact state with large projecting extensions, ex Congo • Elongated- Long and narrow- ex. Chili • Fragmented- Several discontinued pieces- Ex U.S. • Perforated State- Completely surrounds another state- ex South Africa