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