1. State Shapes Homework
Debra Troxell, NBCT

2. State Shapes
Use one side of the large map – be sure your colors do not affect the back of the map
A note about state shapes –
Many states could fall into more than category.
However, when choosing examples – pick countries that exemplify the state shape and/or the state shape would affect the viability of the country.
For example, the USA is fragmented but the state shape does not impact our country as much as it would Indonesia.

3. Shapes of States Compact States Efficient Theoretically round
Capital in center
Shortest possible boundaries to defend
Improved communications
On the map – color red and label 4 examples. At least one example should have a centrally located capital.
Zimbabwe

4. Shapes of States Elongated States States that are long and narrow
Suffer from poor internal communication
Capital may be isolated
On the map – color blue and label 4 examples.
Are most elongated states oriented north/south or east/west?
What effect would this have on the diffusion of agriculture?
Vietnam

5. Shapes of States Fragmented States
Several discontinuous pieces of territory
Technically, all states w/off shore islands
Two kinds of fragmented states: separated by water & separated by an intervening state
Exclave – is the part of a country separated by an intervening state (Alaska is an exclave of the United States)
On the map – color yellow and label 4 examples
3. Pick one fragmented country – use the CIA Factbook – How many ethnicities, languages and religions does the country have?
4. Discuss why or why not the country has seccesionist movements.
Indonesia

6. Shapes of States Prorupted States w./large projecting extension
Namibia
Shapes of States
Prorupted States
w./large projecting extension
Sometimes natural
Sometimes to gain a resource or advantage, such as to reach water, create a buffer zone
On the map – color green and label 4 examples
5. For each of the examples, explain the cause of the proruption?

7. Shapes of States Perforated States
A country that completely surrounds another state
Enclave – the surrounded territory
On the map – Find 2 sovereign enclaves - color the enclave orange and label; Find 2 preforated states – color brown and label
South Africa

8. Enclaves and exclaves
An enclave is an area surrounded by a country but not ruled by it.
It can be self-governing or an exclave of another country.
Can be problematic for the surrounding country.
Pene-enclave—an intrusive piece of territory with a tiny outlet such as Gambia.
Find Gambia – color purple and label

9. Fragmented, Exclaves and Enclaves
Armenia is the ivory color.
6. How many exclaves does Armenia have?
7. How many exclaves does Azerbaijan have?
8. In the event of a war, which area in Armenia or Azerbaijan do you think would be most threatened to be annexed by the other country? Why do you think this territory is most vulnerable?

10. Exclave
An exclave is part national territory separated from the main body of the country to which it belongs.
Very undesirable if a hostile power holds the intervening territory.
Defense and supplies are problematic.
Inhabitants may develop separatist ideas.
On the map – color pink and label 4 examples.
9. For 2 of the examples, explain the reasons for the exclave

11. Distribution of territory— geographic characteristics of states
The more compact the territory, the easier it is to govern.
Ideal shape is round or hexagonal.
Types of shapes: compact, prorupt, elongated, fragmented and perforated (which contains an enclave).
The most damaging territorial distributions affect a country’s cohesiveness and stability: enclaves and exclaves.

12. Landlocked States No access to major sea or ocean
Must negotiate rights to move resources through other countries – problems exist when countries do not agree on fundamental policies
On the back side boundaries map, label all landlocked states

13. 10. What is the correlation between landlocked and classification in Wallersteins World Systems Theory?
11. Pick one country as the “poster child” or “rule of thumb” example of landlocked and Wallerstein’s classification – explain the affect of being a landlocked country.
12. Pick one country as the “exception” to explain

14. Boundaries Make good choices for examples
Use the back side of the large map
When labeling countries – label all countries along the border

15. Vocabulary
Boundary definition – determining the boundary by a treaty-like agreement through actual points, latitude/longitude, or landscape
Boundary delimitation – the boundary is drawn on the map
Boundary demarcation – the boundary is established by steel posts, concrete pillars, fences, etc. to mark the boundary on the ground

16. Boundaries Natural or Physical Boundaries Mountains Deserts
Water – rivers, seas, lakes, oceans
Label the affected countries and outline the boundary in red 1 example of each

17. Boundaries Physical / Natural Boundaries Geometric Boundaries
Political boundary defined and delimited as a straight line or arc (line of latitude or longitude)
Label and outline in orange 4 examples

18. Boundaries
Physical / Natural Boundaries
Geometric Boundaries
Cultural Boundaries – boundaries drawn based on cultural features
Antecedent Boundaries
13. Definition of antecedent boundary
Label and outline in yellow 2 examples; explain the history which resulted in an antecedent boundary
Consequent & Subsequent Boundaries
14. Definition of consequent or subsequent boundary
Religious Boundaries
Label and outline in green 1 example
Language Boundaries
Label and outline in blue 1 example

19. Boundaries Superimposed Boundaries 15. Define Superimposed Boundaries
Label and outline in purple 4 examples
16. Choose 2 of the examples – explain why this boundary was established

20. Boundaries Relict Boundaries – 17. Define relict (relic) boundary
Physical / Natural Boundaries
Geometric Boundaries
Cultural Boundaries
Relict Boundaries –
17. Define relict (relic) boundary
Label and outline one relict boundary in brown
18. Explain the history behind the relict boundary

21. Fortified Boundaries 19. Explain fortified boundary
Label and outline 2 examples in gray