Political Geography Features of Government There are nearly 200 independent countries on Earth that vary in size, military might, natural resources, and world influence. The government of each country has unique characteristics that relate to that country's historical development. Types of governments can be classified into three major groups: (1) autocracy, or rule by one person; (2) oligarchy, or rule by a few people; or (3) democracy, or rule by many people.

Political Geography Geography and Government Geography influences governments as they develop policy to provide people with goods and services and build infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and power plants. The political boundaries of countries can follow natural boundaries such as mountains and rivers, cultural boundaries of religion or language, or geometric boundaries made by humans.

Political Geography Conflict and Cooperation Conflict between countries often includes border disputes, tensions over larger territories, multiple ethnic groups within one area, competition for resources, and control of strategic sites. Nationalism and terrorism, both types of political conflicts, can breed fear, violence, and may lead to war. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose aims are to facilitate cooperation between countries and achieve world peace.

Levels of Government Most large countries usually include a national or central government. Also have smaller internal governments- states, provinces, counties, cities, towns, and villages.

Types of Government Autocracy Monarchy Oligarchy Theocracy

Geography and Government Geography influences governments as they develop policy to provide people with goods and services. Must know where their citizens are moving, why they are moving there, how that affects environment. Infrastructures, roads, bridges, power plants. . . Built based on geographic distribution of people using current demographic data and future projections.

Conflict and Cooperation Global cooperation is frustrated by: Border disputes Tensions over land territories Multiple ethnic groups within one state Competition for fewer resources Control of strategic sites