1) Formal, 2) Functional, 3) Perceptual

Represent great clusters of
common human activity or
common physical characteristics
 Physical / Natural Characteristics
▪ Landforms, Climate, Vegetation
 Human / Cultural Characteristics
▪ Language, Religion, Ethnicity, Population,
Disease

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May change over time
Do not have definite borders
May differ based on point of view
Separated from other regions by
transition zones
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Edges of regions
An area of spatial change where two adjacent
regions join
Marked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp break)
in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring
regions
Area of mixed characteristics; possible tension
between culture groups

All regions can be divided into sub-regions
 Example: United States’ sub-regions may include:
▪ Northeast, Midwest, South, North, West Coast
▪ Metropolitan and Suburban areas
▪ Physical Regions (Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes)
▪ Texas Example: Hill Country, Piney Woods, West Texas, The Valley, Coast, East
Texas, Panhandle

Region and sub-region boundaries are based on
criteria we establish
The study of governmental
systems from around the world

An organization that
people set up to
protect their
community and to
enforce its rules

Roles of the
government:
 To protect lives
 To protect liberties
 To protect property of
members of the
community
 To provide services that
the people cannot
provide on their own
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Political Borders –
determined by govt. and are
artificial (imaginary lines)
Example: North and South
Korea
Natural Borders –created by
physical features that divide
one place from another
Example: Rio Grande River
(Mexico and US)

State – an independent unit that
occupies a specific territory and has full
control of its internal and external affairs
 Sometimes called “country”

Nation – people w/ a common culture
living in a common territory and having
a strong sense of unity

Nation State – when a nation and a
state occupy the same territory

Stateless Nation - some groups have a
common nationality but no territory
 Palestinians, Kurds

Ruled by a family headed by a King or
Queen
 The ruler inherits their power - when the
ruler dies, power is passed to one of the
monarch’s children or close relative

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These monarchs (kings, sultans,
emperors) surround themselves with
followers and advisors who help them
govern
Pros – Stability
Cons – Limits on Power

Monarchs share power with
an elected legislature
 Parliament


Usually the monarch serves
as the symbolic head of state
while elected members of
Parliament govern the
country
Example: United Kingdom,
Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Qaboos Bin Said Al
Said – Sultan of Oman
Queen Elizabeth - United Kingdomconstitutional monarchy
Imperial household of
Japan (ko shitsu) oldest
continuous hereditary
monarchy in the world.
Akihito.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Kuwait is
a constitutional monarchy
Mswati III of Swaziland,
Africa’s last absolute
monarch in the world.
Cambodia-Sihamoni
Cambodia is a constitutional
monarchy
A republic is a government without a king or a queen.
• Usually when a country overturns its monarchy it
will become a republic.
• Republics can be democratic, theocratic, or
parliamentary.
• An example would be the United States, which is a
Democratic Republic
Branches of United States Government
Government authority is based on the will of the people.
• People either vote on issues directly, or they elect
representatives who make government decisions for
them.
• People have certain rights – whereas they can criticize
the government freely.
 Direct Democracy
 Representative Democracy
 Modern Democracies
The very first known democracy
was in ancient Greece in the
5th c BCE.
• Democracy is Greek for
“people-power.”
• Citizens assembled to
make decisions for their
city-states.
• They voted on these issues
directly. This is where the
term direct-democracy
evolved from.
It is a democracy where different
social groups elected their own
representatives, who then met
in assemblies.
• Nobles were represented in
the Senate
• Government power was
divided between two
branches and voting was on
various issues.
• Romans were the first to
develop the representative
democracy.
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One individual holds
complete political power
The leader either seizes
control by force or is placed
into a position of authority by
others
the citizens have no influence
over governmental policy and
do not have the right to
choose their own leaders
If a small group holds the
power, called an “oligarchy”
Pros – easy, quick to makes
big changes
Cons – corruption, dissent is
not allowed

A form of dictatorship that seeks to control all
aspects of social life within a country
• This control extends to the police, military,
communications, economy and education
system.
• Government also controls television, radio, and
newspapers.
• Censorship of books and articles that criticize the
government

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No separate political parties, labor unions, or other
organizations are allowed.
Government either controls or prohibits all
churches and religious groups.
Countries marked in dark colors are authoritarian, and most often
dictatorships. Most of current dictatorships are in Africa and
Asia.
•
the state plans and controls the
economy and a single - often
authoritarian - party holds power
•
the elimination of private ownership of
property or capital
Example: Cuba, People’s Republic of China,
North Korea
• Pros – Classless Society
• Cons – lack of Freedom
•
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Government run by religious
leaders. It is an old form of
government, like a monarchy.
Government claims to be
directed by God or divinely
blessed.
No legal separation between
church and state
Citizens of other faiths are often
excluded or expelled.
Ancient times rulers were often
priests.
Examples of Theocracy throughout history.
In the Middle Ages, the head
The Byzantine Empire was ruled by
of the Catholic Church, the
an emperor who was also head of
Pope, ruled extensive
Pharaohs of ancient
the church.
territories in Italy.
Egypt were believed to be
Iran, has both a
gods.
theocratic and
democratic
government. The
President and
In early colonial times,
representatives
Puritan ministers helped
are elected but
govern Massachusetts.
are controlled by
The Supreme Leader is
the Supreme
an Islamic cleric
Leader.
appointed for life.
•Nobody in charge, only gangs and warlords.
•Fueled by drugs or desire to control resources.
•Happens when a country collapses.
•Example: Somalia, parts of West Africa
The United States Bill of Rights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8JClfNVhug
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Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
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3
4
5
6
7
8
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Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.
No quartering of soldiers.
Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double
jeopardy.
Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial.
Right of trial by jury in civil cases.
Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.
Other rights of the people.
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Powers reserved to the states.