Countries and Boundaries Geography 9A

What makes a country a country? Each country has four specific characteristics that define it as a country: Clearly defined territory Population Sovereignty Government

Two Types of Boundaries Physical boundaries and cultural boundaries Neither type of boundary is better or more “natural” Many boundaries are a combination of both types.

Physical Boundaries Important physical features on Earth’s surface can make good boundaries because they are easily seen, both on a map and on the ground. Three types of physical elements serve as boundaries between states: Mountains Deserts Water

Cultural Boundaries The boundaries between some states coincide with differences in ethnicity. Geometric boundaries Straight lines drawn on a map. Language boundaries Language is an important cultural characteristic for drawing boundaries, especially in Europe

Sovereignty Sovereignty is a nation’s freedom from outside control Independence from other countries A country is sovereign if it can: Establish its own policies Determine its own course of action