Nations & States

Learning Targets

●I can define nation and identify the different types of states.

●I can compare different shapes of states and analyze the effects that shape has on states.

What is a state?A state is a body of people living in a defined space, with an organization that has the power to make and enforce laws.

State = country

Essential Features of a StateThe States of today’s political world share four essential features:1. Population- people

2. Territory- boundaries

3. Sovereignty - self-rule

4. Government- organization to make & enforce laws

Sovereignty Def: The ability of a state to control it’s internal and external affairs.

- Complete independence - Power to make laws, shape foreign

policy & own course of action.

reign= to rule

What is a Nation?A nation is a term for a group of people with common cultural characteristics.

Nations do not need official states- ex: Hmong, Kurds

Nation-StateA nation-state is a state whose citizens or subjects who share common characteristics, such as language or decent.

- Ex: Japan

Prior to WWIIHitler claimed he wanted

to create a Nation-State, of all German

speaking peoples (red line).

But then he invaded Poland, so...not so much

Multinational StateA state that contains two or more ethnic groups with traditions of self-determination.

- Relationships among nationalities vary in different multinational states.

Elongated StatesDefinition:A state that has a long and narrow shape

Challenges:- May have poor internal communication- Large distance within a state

Fragmented StatesDefinition:A state that includes several discontinuous pieces of territories. May be separated by an intervening state or separated by water.

Prorupted StatesDefinition: A compact state with a large projecting extension.

Created for two reasons:- access to resources- separate two states that would otherwise share

a border.

Landlocked StatesDefinition: A state that lacks a direct outlet to the sea because it is completely surrounded by other states.

Challenges:- Less access to transportation- More difficult to import/export resources

Perforated StatesDefinition: A state that is completely surrounds another state.

Challenges:- Must depend on surrounding state for imports and exports- No direct access to water transportation for inner state

Compact StatesDefinition: A state that is usually circular and the distance from the center is about equal in all directions.

Benefits: Most efficient & promotes good communication to all regions.

Lets Review!

Review:Q: What is the difference between a state and a nation?

A: Nation= A group that shares common cultural characteristics. State= People living in a defined space that has the ability to make and control laws.

Name that State!

CA

B

DE

A: Name that State!

CA

B

DE

Compact/ landlocked

Prorupted

Perforated

Fragmented

Elongated