Advanced Placement Human Geography
Chapter 8 Political Geography
Name______________________________
Block__________
1. Name 2 reasons why borders have changed in Europe over the past 200 years.
2. What is the definition of a “State”?
3. What is the difference between a “State” and a “Nation” and give 2 examples of
each?
4. What does “sovereignty” mean?
5. Who owns “Antarctica”?
6. Why is there a North Korea and a South Korea?
7. Why are there two Chinas?
8. Is Western Sahara (Sahrawi Republic) a country? Why or Why Not?
9. List the top 5 countries in land area in the world.
10. What are “Microstates” and give 2 examples in Europe and 2 examples in
Asia?
11. What is a “City-state” where did the first ones develop?
12. What is a colony? and why were they established by European nations (2
reasons)?
13. What is “Imperialism”?
14. Name 10 European countries that established colonies.
15. How did England differ from France in their colonial structure?
16. How many colonies exist today and where?
17. What is the U.S.’s biggest colony today?
18. What is the definition of a “boundary”?
19. What 2 countries had the largest colonial empires in Africa?
20. Give 2 examples of the following “shapes of states or countries”
a. Compact Statesb. Prorupted Statesc. Elongated Statesd. Fragmented Statese. Perforated States21.Where is the “Caprivi Strip” and why was it created by the Germans?
22.Name 3 reasons why states’ shapes evolved into the above 5 shapes.
23. What is a “Landlocked State” and give 3 examples in Europe; 3 examples in
Asia; 4 examples in Africa; and 2 in South America?
24. Using Africa as an example, give 2 problems of landlocked countries.
25. What is a “Frontier” and give 2 examples?
26. How would a country change a frontier to a boundary?
27. Give an example of a “Mountain Boundary”.
28. Give an example of a “Desert Boundary”.
29. Give 3 examples of “River Boundaries” not mentioned in the textbook.
30. Give an example of “Lake Boundaries”.
31. How are “Cultural Boundaries”determined?
32. Give 2 examples of “Geometric Boundaries”.
33. What are 2 problems with “Geometric Boundaries”?
34. Give 2 examples of “Religious Boundaries”.
35. Under what conditions were “Language Boundaries” created?
36. What is the problem with “Language Boundaries”?
37. Where is Cyprus and why was the “Green Line” established?
38. What is a “Buffer Zone” and what is its purpose?
39. What is the difference between a “Unitary State(country) ; a Federal State;
and a “Confederate State”?
40. Give one example of a country of each of these States.
41. Why is there a trend toward “Federal States”?
42. Why was it difficult for Eastern European countries change to federal states?
43. What is “Electoral Geography”?
44. What is “Gerrymandering” and why is it done?
45. Why is Florida gerrymandered?
46. What is meant by a “Stacked Vote”?
47. What is the main purpose of the United Nations?
48. Why did the “League of Nations” fail?
49. What was meant by the “Cold War”?
50. Are “Military Alliances” good or bad – Why or Why Not?
51. Name 10 countries that belong to NATO.
52. Name 7 countries that made up the Warsaw Pact and why did it disband?
53. What 3 countries belong to the following supranational organizations and give
the purpose of organization:
a. OPEC
b. OASc. European Uniond. ANZUS54.Why is geography so important to our military?
55. Why were there 2 Germanys following WWII?
56. Why is the “Geography of Terrorism” important?
57. What exactly is “Terrorism”?
58. How does “Terrorism” differ from “Assassination”?
59. What is the difference between “Terrorists” and “Freedom Fighters”?
60. How was the (9/11) terrorist attack different from the Oklahoma City
Bombing?
61. What is “Al-Qaeda” and who founded the organization?
62. What is a “Jihad”?
63. How does Al-Qaeda finance its terror?
64. Why are we the main target of Al-Qaeda?
65. What other countries have been the target of Al-Qaeda?
66. What is meant by “State Supported Terrorism”?
67. What country finally turned over suspects of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing?
68. Who were the “Mujahedeen” and where did they fight against the Soviet
Union?
69. Why was over throwing the Taliban in Afghanistan important for the U.S.?
70. What was the main purpose of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003?
71. Why was the “Gulf War” fought in 1991?
72. What happened in Iran in 1979 that changed the direction of that country?
73. What war was fought by Iran during (1980-1988) and what was the purpose of
it?
74. Name 5 countries that the U.S. considers to be “State Supporters of
Terrorism”.