1. Unit 4 AP Human Geography Copeland
Boundaries Part I
Unit 4
AP Human Geography
Copeland

2. IV. Boundaries and the Problems they Cause
Vertical lines that establish the limit of each state’s jurisdiction and authority
Claims and boundaries are 3 dimensional
Subsoil Resource disputes (1990-Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, led to Gulf War)
Airspace extends into air traffic (no fly zones)
(satellites next?)

5. The Evolution of Boundaries
Definition: the official establishment or documentation of a boundary
Treaty
Legal document
Example: 2000 Macedonia-Serbia and Montenegro delimitation agreement

6. The Evolution of Boundaries
Delimitation: placing of the boundary on a map

7. The Evolution of Boundaries
Demarcation: marking of the boundary by some method on the ground

8. Boundary Types *Boundaries can be a combination of types
I. Natural (physical): based on recognizable physiographic features
Mountains, deserts, rivers, and lakes
Can cause disputes or provide buffer
Mountains-Argentina vs. Chile-divided by crest of Andes Mtns (couldn’t decide on actual crest)
Water-good protection against attack, readily visible on maps
Ex. 1) East Africa-A) DRC/Uganda-Lake Albert, B) Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda-Lake Victoria
2) Rio Grande-U.S./Mexico
3) Georgia/Alabama

9. Boundary Types Law of the Sea-165 countries A. Territorial Zone
12 Nautical miles (14 land mi), allow for innocent passage
(expeditious and continuous in manner)
B. Contiguous Zone
12 Nautical miles, regulate customs, taxation, immigration
C. Exclusive Economic Zone
200 Nautical Miles, rights to resources
Median Line Principle-dividing lines b/t two states with less than
400 nautical miles apart, the EEZ must be drawn between two states.
Also applies to states that are closer (within 24 nautical miles).
Boundaries then split the difference between the two.
Ex. Great Lakes between Canada and the United States
China/Japan/South Korea
Beyond EEZ=International Waters
Disputes can be taken to a tribunal for the Law of the Sea or to
the International Court of Justice or….settled by war!!!

10. Boundary Types
II. Geometric (Artificial): follows parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude
Ex. 1) 49th parallel United States & Canada
2) Quebec’s boundary with NY and VT
3) Alaska’s boundary with Yukon Territory
4) North Africa-Algeria/Libya/Egypt

12. Boundary Types
III. Cultural (Religious, Linguistic, Ethnic): separate groups by a common cultural trait
Religious:
India (Hindu) and Pakistan (Muslim)
Ireland (84% Catholic) and Northern Ireland (41% Catholic)
Linguistic:
Boundaries of France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Italy
Ethnic:
Cyprus-Turkish vs. Greek areas

13. Boundary Origins Antecedent: border drawn before it was well populated
United States & Canada

14. Boundary Origins
Subsequent: border drawn after the development of the cultural landscape
2 types:
Consequent
Superimposed

15. Boundary Origins N. Ireland and Ireland
Subsequent Consequent (ethnographic): border drawn to accommodate existing religious, linguistic, or ethnic differences
N. Ireland and Ireland

16. Boundary Origins
Subsequent Superimposed Boundaries: forced on an existing cultural landscape, country, or people by a conquering colonial power
Unconcerned about preexisting cultural patterns
Great Britain = India/Pakistan

17. Boundary Origins
Relict/relic Boundary: former boundary that no longer functions
Differences on each side of the border are still evident
Ex. Berlin Wall

19. Boundary Disputes

20. Definitional/Positional Boundary Disputes
Focus on the legal language of the boundary agreement
Ex. Argentina and Chile-third longest international boundary (3,300 miles)
Dispute over border in Patagonia
Dispute over Beagle Channel

21. Locational Boundary Disputes
The delimitation and possible demarcation of the border is in dispute. How should the border be interpreted?

22. Operational/Functional Disputes
Neighboring states disagree over policies to be applied along a boundary
Ex. Immigration into the U.S. from Mexico

23. Allocation/Resource Disputes
Neighboring states can argue about the distribution of resources
Ex.
Iraq v. Kuwait (oil)
Georgia vs. AL & FL
(Chattahoochee River)
Georgia vs. Tennessee

24. Territorial Disputes
A subsequent boundary divides an ethnically homogenous group
Irredentism- irredentism tries to justify its territorial claims on the basis of (real or imagined) historic or ethnic affiliations. It is often advocated by nationalist movements and has been a feature of political geography.vocating annexation of territories administered by another
Examples of Irrendentism
o 1) Kashmir (India vs. Pakistan and China)
2) Senkaku Islands/ Diaoyu Islands (uninhabited islands controlled by Japan in East China Sea; underwater oil reserves discovered, ownership of islands now disputed by China; Chinese claim of islands supposedly dates back to the 14th century.

26. Capitals Typically are centrally located to allow for equal access
Many capitals have become distant to many areas due to growth: Washington D.C.
Some capitals have been relocated to make them more accessible

27. Capitals
Usually located in the core area and frequently the focus of it
Capital cities are also frequently the largest or the Primate City (usually associated with lesser- developed countries)
Primate City: dominates the economic structure of the entire country

28. Forward-Thrust Capital City
Deliberately sited in a state’s interior
Brazil relocated its capital from Rio de Janeiro to a new city called Brasilia
Nigeria – Abuja
Kazakhstan – Astana

29. Brasilia

30. Brasilia

31. Brasilia

32. Nigeria - Abuja

33. Nigeria - Abuja

34. Kazakhstan – Astana

35. Kazakhstan – Astana (new) Almaty (old)