CH. 8—POLITICAL

GEOGRAPHYKI 1: Where are states

located?

PROBLEMS OF DEFINING STATES As recently as 1940s, world contained

about 50 countries—in 2009 United Nations had 192 members

State- an area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government that has control over its internal and foreign affairs

Occupies a defined territory on Earth and contains a permanent population

Synonym for “country” http://www.worldatlas.com/nations.htm

PROBLEMS OF DEFINING STATES States have sovereignty—full control

of its own internal affairs

States are good examples of uniform or formal regions—1 govt controls whole area

50 Stats of U.S. are really just subdivisions within 1 state, the U.S.A

Independence Day for Every Countryhttp://geography.about.com/cs/countries/a

/newcountries.htm

KOREA: ONE STATE OR TWO? Korea was Japanese colony until it was

divided by Soviet Union and U.S. after WWII

Split it into North and South along 38˚N Lat.

Division became permanent in late 1940s after two different govt’s were established

North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, starting a 3 year war that ended with a cease-fire line near the 38th parallel

KOREA: ONE STATE OR TWO? Have made efforts to reunite

In 2000, countries agreed to allow exchange visits of families and increase economic cooperation

Progress has been halted by North Korea’s decision to build nuclear weapons, despite not being able to feed its people

http://content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1903919_1895454,00.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMfbohNGT1w

CHINA AND TAIWAN Most countries consider

them separate states China believes that Taiwan

is not sovereign and is part of China

Problems started during Civil War between Nationalists and Communists in 1940s

Nationalists fled to Taiwan and have been in control since

Taiwan is most populous state not in the United Nations

- Only large land mass on Earth that is not part of a state

- States signed the Antarctic Treat of 1959—no military activity, can be used for research only

On your paper, write down what you think are the 5 largest states in the world by land area.

VARYING SIZE OF STATES Land area varies significantly: Largest States:

Russia, Canada, United States, China, Brazil Smallest States:

Vatican City, Monaco, Nauru, Tuvalu, San Marino

Identify these on the map on page 244-245 Roughly 24 states classified as

microstates—states with vary small land areas

Most are islands, explains small size and sovereignty

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand

http://www.sealandgov.org/

HOMEWORK!!! Outline pages 243-246 in the textbook

Everything from “Development of the State Concept” to the end of KI 1