•
•
C an the shape of a state
influence how a state
governs?
Can there be benefits &
drawbacks to the shape of a
state?
Boundaries
Boundary
 invisible line marking the extent of a state’s territory
 Result from


combination of natural physical features & cultural features
Only location where physical contact must take place between
neighboring states
Potential to become focal point of conflict
Country Shapes
 Affects transportation, economy,
communication, defense, & political cohesion
 Economic  resources & water port
 Could lead conflict with neighboring states
 Others: Unique identity & Influence social unity
 Shape not as important as location
Perforated
Compact
Prorupt
Fragmented
Elongated
Compact State
 Circular shape
 Similar distance from the
center to any boundary
 Typically capital in center
• BENEFITS
• DRAWBACKS
Rwanda
Prorupted State

Compact state with a large extension

Created for two reasons
1.
Provide state with access to a
resource
2.
Separate two states that would
otherwise share a boundary
• BENEFITS
• DRAWBACKS
Prorupted State
Zaire – proruption located on
western portion to provide access to
Atlantic Ocean
Afghanistan – proruption located on
eastern portion to prevent Russia
from accessing Pakistan
Elongated State
SHAPE:
• Long & narrow
• Length greater
than width
•Gives access to a
resource
• BENEFITS
• DRAWBACKS
Malawi – more than
530 miles long, but
only 90 miles wide
Chile – more than
2,500 miles long, but
rarely more than 90 miles
wide
Fragmented State
 Several separated parts
1. Water
2. Another state

• BENEFITS
• DRAWBACKS
Fragmented State
Indonesia
Fragmented State
Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad (along the Baltic Sea) is fragmented from the rest of Russia by
Belarus and Lithuania.
India: The Tin Bigha Corridor
Fig. 8-7: The Tin Bigha corridor fragmented two sections of the country of Bangladesh.
When it was leased to Bangladesh, a section of India was fragmented.
Perforated States
SHAPE:
 A state that completely surrounds
another state
 Only 2 in the world:


South Africa
Italy
• BENEFITS
• DRAWBACKS
South Africa completely
surrounds the state of Lesotho
NOTE: The wall surrounding
Vatican City also serves as
an International Boundary
Landlocked States
 Lacks accessibility to the sea
 No direct outlet to the sea
 Most common in Africa
(14 of 54 are landlocked)
• BENEFITS
• DRAWBACKS
 Direct access to an ocean is
critical for trade
 Bulky goods are usually transported long distances by ship
 Must arrange to use another country’s seaport
Review Questions?
1.
invisible line marking the extent of a state’s territory.
2.
Compact, prorupted, elongated, fragmented, and perforated are examples of
what?
3.
What kind of state is shaped like a circle with capital in center?
4.
What kind of state provides a state with access to a resource, or separates two
other states?
5.
What kind of state is separated by another state?
6.
A state that completely surrounds another state?
7.
What is a long narrow state?
8.
What lacks a direct outlet to a ocean/sea?
Answers!
1. BOUNDARY invisible line marking the extent of a state’s territory.
2. Compact, prorupted, elongated, fragmented, and perforated are
examples of what?
5 basic shapes for states
3. What kind of state is shaped like a circle with capital in center?
Compact State
4. What kind of state provides a state with access to a resource, or separates
two other states? ProRupted State
5. What kind of state is separated by another state? Fragmented State
6. A state that completely surrounds another state? Perforated State
7. What is a long narrow state? Elongated State
8. What lacks a direct outlet to a ocean/sea? Landlocked States