4.4 Key Notes Defining Political Boundaries

What are some of the political or functional purposes of clearly demarcated boundaries on a map?

• Administrative Division and Governance

• Cultural and Ethnic Preservation

• National Security and Defense

• All of the Above

Which of the following best characterizes cultural boundaries?

• Strict and precise lines dividing regions

• Gradual changes over space

• Geographical features such as mountains or rivers

• Economic differences between regions

What characterizes an antecedent boundary?

• It develops after the cultural landscape has already formed.

• It features significant physical obstacles like oceans or mountains.

• It is established in densely populated regions to facilitate connections.

• It changes dynamically as the population increases in adjacent areas.

Which of the following correctly identifies the two categories of contemporary political boundaries mentioned in the passage?

• Economic and Social

• Historical and Religious

• Physical and Cultural

• Linguistic and Technological

Which of the following statements best characterizes the relationship between antecedent boundaries and their effectiveness as political boundaries?

• Antecedent boundaries are always effective, regardless of the physical features involved.

• Antecedent boundaries based on unpopulated oceans are consistently more effective than those formed by rivers.

• Antecedent boundaries with significant physical obstacles, such as mountains, are universally effective political boundaries.

• Antecedent boundaries lacking significant physical obstacles, like small hills or rivers, tend to be less effective as political boundaries.

What is the characteristic nature of subsequent boundaries?

• They are permanent and unchangeable.

• They are primarily based on geographical features.

• They evolve over time and are subject to change.

• They are strictly drawn based on economic differences.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is:

c. They evolve over time and are subject to change.

The passage describes subsequent boundaries as being typically created while the cultural landscape is evolving, and they are subject to change over time. Subsequent boundaries are often ethnographic in nature, meaning they are related to cultural phenomena such as ethnic, religious, linguistic, or economic differences among groups. These boundaries may be altered due to non-cultural developments like governmental negotiations or war. Therefore, the nature of subsequent boundaries is dynamic and evolving, making option c the correct choice.

What was the consequence of the Berlin Conference on Africa in terms of territorial boundaries?

• It led to the establishment of natural boundaries based on geographical features.

• The conference resulted in the recognition of existing cultural patterns in Africa.

• Superimposed boundaries were created without consideration for natural features or cultural borders.

• The Europeans focused on colonizing the entire continent without dividing it into distinct regions.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is:

C) Superimposed boundaries were created without consideration for natural features or cultural borders.

Explanation: The passage mentions that the Berlin Conference paved the way for the colonization of Africa, and as a result, superimposed boundaries were established without conformity to natural features or consideration for existing cultural patterns. The conference initiated the drawing of boundaries across the African continent without thorough knowledge of the terrain or cultural borders, leading to the imposition of artificial divisions.

What is one of the legacies of the "Scramble for Africa" mentioned in the passage?

• The creation of 50 well-defined and economically stable countries in Africa.

• The establishment of political unity among the indigenous cultures of Africa.

• The formation of irregularly shaped countries, impacting over 1,000 indigenous cultures.

• The eradication of landlocked states in favor of coastal territories.

Answer explanation

C) The formation of irregularly shaped countries, impacting over 1,000 indigenous cultures.

Explanation: The passage states that one of the legacies of the "Scramble for Africa" was the creation of around 50 irregularly shaped countries out of the more than 1,000 indigenous cultures that inhabited the continent. This reflects the impact of colonial powers drawing arbitrary borders that did not necessarily align with the cultural or geographic realities of the African people.

Which of the following is cited as an example of a relic boundary

• The Great Wall of China

• The Berlin Wall

• The Cold War

• The political reunification of East and West Germany

Answer explanation

Answer: A) The Great Wall of China

Explanation: The passage mentions the Great Wall of China as an example of a relic boundary, stating that it serves no political separation between states but is still visible on the landscape. While the Berlin Wall is also discussed as a relic boundary, the specific example mentioned in the passage is the Great Wall of China.

Which of the following best describes a geometric boundary?

• A boundary that follows existing cultural or physical landscapes

• A straight line or arc drawn by people, not closely following any physical feature

• A division based on language, ethnicity, or religion

• A boundary created by natural features like rivers, deserts, or mountains

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B) A straight line or arc drawn by people, not closely following any physical feature.

In the passage, a geometric boundary is defined as a straight line or arc drawn by people that does not closely follow any physical feature on the landscape. Geometric boundaries are often based on lines of latitude or longitude, and they are created by humans without considering existing cultural or physical landscapes. Examples provided include the boundary between the United States and Canada along the 49th parallel and the division of North and South Korea along the 38th parallel. Therefore, the description in option B accurately captures the nature of a geometric boundary as outlined in the passage.