For example, they can help to protect people and property on one side of the boundary from aggression or theft on the other side. These factors of shape and size can influence the ways in which human activity is structured; for example, land use, transportation, and settlement patterns. It involves dividing people into distinct administrative units. Regroup as a class and discuss the questions on the board. Have a whole-class discussion about political borders. What is the purpose of political boundaries? When a political border is imposed on the physical landscape, it defines the area, shape, and size of the country, as well as the physical features and natural resources available. Have students brainstorm examples of different types of borders and what defines them. Many of our world's extant . It is the opposite of an antecedent boundary, which was established prior to settlement. Now, it is one of the most heavily patrolled borders between allies in the world, the result of both governments' desire to stem the flow of illegal substances back and forth, as well as the movement of people from Mexico to the US who avoid border controls. People may want to be in one country or the other, not be separated from their relatives, or have little regard for the boundary regardless of where it goes. Political Boundaries: lines on land and/or water separating the territories of countries or sub-national entities such as states, provinces, departments, counties, and so forth. The boundary between two neighborhoods within a city could be considered a geometric boundary. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. Borders are a specific type of boundary that separates two or more countries,. In geography, these groups are often called nations, which is not always necessarily synonymous with the more legalistic terms of country and state. Set individual study goals and earn points reaching them. In other words, these political boundaries, created through economic, nationalistic, or cultural forces, will help determine almost every superficial civic aspect of your life. Have students build on their ideas from Step 1 to explore the question of how land and resources are divided among countries. Occasionally, two countries may contest where a particular border is drawn. In this sense, it is similar to a demarcated boundary, but is always defined by a natural rather than man-made structure. [1], A total of 42 states require state legislative districts to take political boundaries into account; 19 states take political boundaries into account when drawing congressional districts. Country Purple is trying to expand its political boundaries to incorporate as many oil fields as possible. In other words, they indicate which governments are in charge of which areas. A border the location of which cannot be agreed upon. In Western culture, our modern concepts of sovereignty, statehood, and well-defined political boundaries can be at least partially attributed to the two peace treaties that ended the European Thirty Years' War in 1648. The result, in Africa, was 50+ countries stuck with colonial boundaries often drawn right through the middle of ethnic nations that had never been divided. These boundaries, are drawn on the maps by the political officials to separate areas of political administration and control. Specifically, maps can help demonstrate how borders intersect physical and human geographical features, and how those intersections can lead to cooperation and/or conflict. The border is a conceptual line that separates the U.S. from Mexico, but there are also physical barriers, like the US-Mexico fence (Trumps wall! North Korea and South Korea-38th parallel (DMZ) What is a physical political boundary? Let's explore the purpose, function, and importance of political boundaries. The division of Germany into East and West after World War II. In this explanation, we'll be focusing on the latter, but it's helpful to keep in mind what you already know about how people behave in and around their own boundaries, whatever the scale. In many cases, ancient boundaries are recycled or still in use. Which of the following BEST describes the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea? A defined political boundary is one that is specifically outlined by law or treaty. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. All rights reserved. There are both internal and international political boundaries. These disputes might arise due to a natural resource both groups want, like in the case of Sudan and South Sudan, or in an attempt to gain more political power, as in the case of Pakistan and India in the Kashmir region. Rivers, mountain ranges, oceans, and deserts are examples. 2 - India and China have several contested areas along their border. Philosophy, B.A. A physical boundary is a natural barrier between two areas. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Immigration is the process of moving to a new country or region with the intention of staying and living there. Congress leader Rahul . But perhaps most importantly, a political boundary allows governments and corporations to maintain exclusive access to the economic resources within the boundary. Introduce the activity and its purpose. Two countries have overlapping EEZs. The Great Wall of China is a famous example of a relict boundary because it is no longer a border between two distinct regions. Then ask: Why do people define regions or countries in any given area? The modern international political boundaries of Africa. Williams, P. (2011). Ideally, de facto and de jure political boundaries line up, but that is not always the case. Two brief examples, both involving the US, demonstrate the pitfalls and possibilities of boundaries. Political boundaries have evolved out of the need to define territory. Code of Ethics| POLITICAL BOUNDARIES are frequently defined as borders constructed and imposed on or around a geographic territory in order to distinguish between areas of governance or types (strategies) of political control. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. How do political boundaries impact you as an individual? True or False: DMZs MUST be political boundaries. Fig. Your email address will not be published. Which country was NOT present at the Berlin Conference? What are examples of political boundaries? The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which is a trade agreement between several countries in the Pacific region, including the United States, Japan, and Australia. Many, if not most, of the international boundaries we see in Europe and Asia reflect the historic "homeland" of distinct ethnic groups. Similarly, an ethnic, political, or religious group may feel that its needs are not being met by a country's government, or that policy-created borders are unjust, and may resort to armed rebellion or terrorism in an attempt to get political boundaries redrawn. The United States and Mexico are two very different cultures, and the border between them is a physical boundary that separates two very different societies (Pavlakovich-Kochi, & Morehouse, 2017). They will determine which political entities you are accountable to, and which polities entities are, in turn, accountable to you. No one nation has sovereignty over the high seas, but certain activities may be regulated by the UN. An example of a cultural boundary is the border between the United States and Mexico. Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan. This was especially common during the Cold War, when several Eastern European borders were redrawn in deference to a common commitment (or, in many cases, subjugation) to Marxist-Leninist socialism. Another example is Hadrians wall, which was a wall that marked the edge of the Roman Empire on the British Isles. Will you pass the quiz? An example of an antecedent boundary would be the border between the United States and Canada. Challenged borderlands: transcending political and cultural boundaries. True or False: The political boundaries you are living within play a big role in determining almost every civic aspect of your life. Boundaries that were drawn prior to, during, and after the disintegration of Yugoslavia, in places like Bosnia, reflect the idea that political borders should follow cultural borders. Encyclopedic entry. Students draw borders based on how they think the land should be divided. A geometric boundary is a boundary that is defined by a specific geometric shape. The political boundary between the United States and Mexico is an international political boundary between two countries. Retrieved 15 March 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/west-virginia-the-state-that-said-no/2011/03/30/AFLxJrQD_story.html. It is a straight line that separates two countries. A de jure political boundary is a boundary that is legally recognized by foreign political entities. Seekprofessional input on your specific circumstances. Which factor is most at play? For example, the Comanche exercised control over a large portion of North America during the 19th century, but their borders were never formally defined or legally demarcated. Political boundaries are lines or areas that are used to demarcate the territory of a political entity, such as a country or state. What agreement created the Korean Demilitarized Zone? International boundaries. What famous novella portrays the Congo Free State? https://helpfulprofessor.com/types-of-political-boundaries/. These disputes might arise due to a natural resource both groups want, like in the case of Sudan and South Sudan, or in an attempt to gain more political power, as in the case of Pakistan and India in the Kashmir region. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. Do you have one of those neighbours who looks at you funny when your frisbee lands in his yard? These treaties are together known as "the Peace of Westphalia." Fig. Select the BEST answer. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is colloquially referred to as _______. Indeed, the devastation caused by this war was enough to lead Europeans in the direction of better decision-making on what constituted the territorial rights of states. For example, the boundary between France and Spain follows the peaks of the . False! The definition of a political boundary is a fixed line, officially drawn to divide and outline political territorial units such as states, counties, cities, or other jurisdictions. )is a plea for immigration reform. By contrast, a subsequent boundary could be established due to either diplomatic negotiation or conflict. How are borders defined? Political boundaries may form around economic, national, or cultural causes. The term '' geopolitics '' refers to the different geographic (either physical or human) influences on political and international relations. For example, the geometric boundaries drawn after the Second World War may have been convenient on a map, but failed to carve out space for the ethnic Kurds to have their own nation. Many Asian and European countries have a close match between cultural boundaries and political boundaries, though these have often come at a great cost. The third Convention on the Law of the Sea began in what year? And then there are considerations such as strategic importance and potential resource access. Privacy Notice| Explain the function of a demilitarized zone. The US-Mexican border into the twenty-first century. Political boundaries help us figure out who's in charge of what. explanation of symbols and abbreviations used on a map, also known as a key. Excepting Antarctica and a few remaining terra nullius (no one's lands) in Africa and Europe, this only applies to the high seas and the seabed under them. Some political boundaries are more obvious. Hutus are the vast majority in each country, and Tutsis the minority. Borders of regions or of countries define an area, which has a particular shape and size. Contact Us. Negotiated boundaries are agreed upon by parties. Everything you need for your studies in one place. Have small groups present and compare borders. Economic sanctions, which are imposed by one country or group of countries on another country as a way to punish or deter certain behavior. They are a type of subsequent boundary often drawn collaboratively with affected parties. Indeed, in most cases, "antecedent boundaries" refer to no prior settlements of colonizers and land takers. 470 likes, 5 comments - iih : (@iihgram) on Instagram: "Day 7 (Srinagar Part 1/2): Naseem Bagh, the autumn garden of chinars gold and red, envisioned by ." Demarcated boundaries can be important for many reasons. Have students compare their individual maps to spark discussion and debate as to whose borders are most valid and why. As you might imagine, all of the above factors can be a source of conflict. Divide students into small groups of approximately four students each. An example of a demarcated boundary is the US-Mexico border. It was occupied on and off between AD122 and about AD410, after which Roman rule of Britain was relinquished. geographic territory with a distinct name, flag, population, boundaries, and government. How might the overlap be resolved? Display each groups map in the classroom and provide sticky notes and pencils. The border between the United States and Mexico, which has been heavily militarized in recent years due to concerns about illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The only cases where international political boundaries are not either settled or in dispute are where they do not exist (yet). An example of a defined political boundary is the U.S. border with Mexico. 4. Tourists can access this portion of the Korean DMZ. Occasionally, two countries may contest where a particular border is drawn. They will determine which political entities you are accountable to, and which polities entities are, in turn, accountable to you. This notion of sovereign authority has historically been fundamental to the organization of human civilization. Political maps use colors to differentiate countries or states, and they often include major cities and capitals. Encourage students to use the information in the Religions, Mountains and Rivers, and Languages maps in their explanations. A Line of Blood and Dirt: Creating the Canada-United States Border across Indigenous Lands. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. Create and find the best flashcards for Political Boundaries Kathleen Schwille, National Geographic Society Note that one boundary can be of multiple different types simultaneously. Create the most beautiful study materials using our templates. Have students separate into the same small groups from Lesson 1, Activity 1 of this unit and select a spokesperson. National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. These factors can shape the way that people live and trade with one another. Test your knowledge with gamified quizzes. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. The political boundaries that define the United States as a countryand your existence in itdetermine similar factors, but on a larger scale. This boundary was established in the Treaty of Paris in 1814 after the American War of Independence (Carroll, 2021, pp. DMZs can be entire islands, continents, or even individual historic sites. Political boundaries can be internal or international. IRA/NCTE Standards for the English Language Arts, National Geographic Education: EuropeResources, National Geographic Education: EuropePhysical Geography, National Geographic Education: EuropeHuman Geography, National Geographic Education: Europe MapMaker Kit, National Geographic Education: National Teacher Leadership Academy (NTLA).