Mr Gilbert Ap Human Geo

• What is a state defined as in the study material?

  A state is an area with a defined territory that exercises sovereign control over areas inside and outside its borders.
• How many countries are there approximately on Earth?

  About 200 countries.
• How has the number of states changed in the past 100 years?

  The number of states has increased by over 100 in the past 100 years.
• What is Territorial Organization in the context of states?

  • States organized into a geographically based hierarchy of local government agencies.
  • Functions include:
  • Efficiently delegating administrative functions.
  • Allocating resources through local agencies.
  • Providing local territories with some degree of autonomy.
• What is a Commonwealth?

  A Commonwealth is a territory that has established a mutual agreement with another state for mutual benefit.
• What is a Colony?

  A Colony is a territory legally tied to a sovereign state rather than being completely independent.
• What is Colonialism?

  Colonialism is the effort by one country to establish settlements and impose its political, economic, and cultural principles on a territory.
• What were the three reasons European states established colonies?

  1. To promote Christianity.
  2. To provide resources for the economy.
  3. To indicate relative power through the number of colonies.
• What is summarized as "God, gold, and glory"?

  It summarizes the reasons European states established colonies.
• What is Imperialism?

  Imperialism is the control of territory already occupied and organized by an indigenous society.
• Which country had the largest empire?

  The United Kingdom had the largest empire.
• What does "the sun never set on the British Empire" mean?

  It means that the British Empire was so vast that at least one part of it was always in daylight.
• How did colonial practices of European states vary?

  • France attempted to assimilate colonies into French culture.
  • Britain created different government structures and policies depending on the territory.
  • Decentralized approach helped protect diverse cultures and local customs.
• What was the outcome for most colonies after colonial rule?

  Most colonies made a peaceful transition to independence.
• Where is the most populous remaining colony located?

  Puerto Rico is the most populous remaining colony.
• What is the population of Puerto Rico?

  Puerto Rico has 4 million residents.
• What are some colonies with populations between 100,000 and 300,000?

  • French Polynesia
  • Mayotte
  • New Caledonia
  • Netherlands Antilles
  • Guam
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
• What is the least populated colony and its population?

  Pitcairn Island is the least populated colony with 47 people.
• What is the definition of Colonialism in the context of political dominance?

  Colonialism is the practice of establishing political dominance over a people for economic, political, and territorial gain.
• What is the Organic Theory proposed by Friedrich Ratzel?


  The Organic Theory suggests that a state is like a living entity that constantly needs to grow to thrive.
• What are the two types of Colonialism mentioned?

  Religious Colonialism and Economic Colonialism.
• What is Self-Determinism?

  Self-Determinism is the power of a people to establish their own government as they see fit.
• What are the types of empires mentioned in the study material?

  1. Land Empire - conquest by force.
  2. Sea Empire - control through naval power.
  3. Settlement Empire - intended for long-term settlement.
• What is a Unitary State?

  A Unitary State places most power in the hands of central government officials.
• In what type of states does a Unitary government system work best?


  Unitary government systems work best in nation-states with few internal cultural differences.
• How have some African countries used unitary systems?

  Some African countries have used unitary systems to allow one ethnic group to dominate another.
• What is a Federal State?

  A Federal State allocates strong power to units of local government within the country.
• What are the implications of delegating authority in a federalist country?

  • Crucial for tax collection.
  • Affects the use of natural resources.
  • Empowers different nationalities.
• What is Reapportionment?

  Reapportionment is the process of redrawing boundaries separating legislative districts periodically.
• How often are the boundaries of the U.S. House of Representatives redrawn?

  The boundaries are redrawn every 10 years following the census.
• How do most European countries handle redistricting?

  Most European countries use independent commissions to redraw district boundaries.
• What is Gerrymandering?

  Gerrymandering is the process of redrawing legislative boundaries to benefit the party in power.
• What are the three types of gerrymandering?

  1. Wasted Vote - spreads opposition supporters across many districts.
  2. Excess Vote - concentrates opposition supporters into a few districts.
  3. Stacked Vote - links distant areas of like-minded voters.
• What is a Nation?

  A Nation refers to a tightly knit group of people possessing bonds of language, ethnicity, religion, and other shared cultural attributes.
• How are people becoming more loyal in terms of Nation and State?

  Many people are becoming more loyal to their nation rather than their state.
• Can nations exist within the borders of a state?

  Yes, nations are usually located within the borders of a state.
• What is a Nation-State?

  A Nation-State is a recognized political unit where the territorial state coincides with the area settled by a certain group of people.
• What is Sovereignty?

  Sovereignty is the ability of a state to regulate its own internal and external affairs.
• Which nationality is one of the largest in the world without a state?

  The Kurds are one of the largest nationalities in the world without a state.
• Where are the Kurds primarily located?

  The Kurds are located in Turkey, northern Iran, and northern Iraq.