AP Human Geography: Types of States/Nations

A unified group of people that have a a shared past and a common future. They relate to a territory and tend to share common cultural characteristics like religions, languages, and ethnicities. The people of nations tend to be loyal to their nation; many conflicts have arisen from two nations clashing in a state. (E.g. Flemish, Walloons, and Zulus.)

Interchangeable with "country". For a territory to be a state, it must have a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and recognition by other states. 196 of these in the world today.

An area in which a nation and a state both coincide in the same space. Examples: Japan, Iceland, Denmark, and France.

When a nation does not have a state. (Conflicts often ensue.)

States that are allowed to exist by neighboring states (to help relieve tension between the neighboring states). Example: Mongolia between China and Russia

A sovereign state comprising of a city and its immediate hinterland (e.g. Singapore)

A state in which the distance from the center to any boundary does not vary significantly (e.g. Poland). Considered the ideal state shape. Benefits: Easy communications for all areas, easy defense for all areas, central capital, is a centripetal force for a country-- promotes unity Disadvantages: Usually results in a smaller size, meaning less natural resources.

A state with a long and narrow shape. Example: Chile. Benefits: Increased access to resources and waterways. Disadvantages: Difficult communications, some areas are isolated from the capital, difficult to defend and govern, some areas can be neglected.

A piece of a territory or a state completely surrounded by another territory or state. Example: Lesotho. Can be created by an ethnic group that breaks off from a country. Needs to have diplomatic with the surrounding state because the surrounding state is more powerful.

A part of a country that is separated from the rest of the country and surrounded by a foreign territory. Example: Alaska. Problems: Different ethnic groups settling in the area can cause the area to break off from the state or side with a neighboring country. Reasons: More resources available to the state and access to waterways.

An internal organization of a state that allocates most powers to units of local government (e.g. United States).

A state that has two or more territories separated by a body of water or another state. Example: Philippines. Benefits: Increased access to resources and waterways. Disadvantages: Difficult to govern and defend, difficult communications, citizens less united.

A state without access to the sea (e.g. Bolivia).

A state that encompasses a very small area (e.g. Vatican City).

A state that contains two or more ethnic groups with traditions of self-determination that agree to coexist peacefully by recognizing each other as distinct nationalities (e.g. United Kingdom).

A state that completely surrounds another state. Example: South Africa. Benefits: Availability of guest workers, chances of better relationships with the surrounded country, easy to overtake Disadvantages: Possible conflict in areas due to issues on sharing resources or other issues, areas can become loyal to the surrounded state due to ethnonationalism

A compact state with a large protrusion coming out from one side of it (panhandle). Example: Thailand Benefits: Increased access to water, more access to natural resources, and can limit other countries' access to resources or waterways. Disadvantages: Difficult communications with protruded area, less unified areas due to differences in climate, land, resources, and different cultures forming.

A state which if formally independent, but under hefty influence of another state. Example: North Korea with the Soviet Union.

An internal organization of a state that places most power in the hands of central government officials.

The ability of a state to govern its territory from control of its internal affairs by other states.