Political Geography Concepts

Front

State

Back

A politically organized territory with a permanent population, a defined boundary, a government, and sovereignty (control over internal and external affairs).

Front

Nation-states

Back

A state whose territory corresponds to a single, culturally homogeneous nation—a group of people with shared cultural characteristics, such as language or ethnicity.

Front

Multinational states

Back

A state that contains two or more nations or ethnic groups with traditions of self-determination.

Front

Stateless nations

Back

A nation of people without a state of their own, though they may reside in multiple states.

Front

Semi Autonomous

Back

A region within a state that has some degree of self-governance, but not full independence.

Front

Autonomous

Back

A region within a state that has a high degree of self-rule and independence from the central government.

Front

Sovereignty

Back

The full independence and control over internal and external affairs by a state.

Front

Self determination

Back

The right of a nation or ethnic group to govern itself and determine its own political future.

Front

Colonialism

Back

The practice of one country establishing settlements and controlling another territory for economic, political, or military gain.

Front

Imperialism

Back

The broader policy of extending a country’s power through military force or diplomacy, often leading to colonialism.