what is a political boundary

Political boundaries will help determine almost every superficial civic aspect of your life. Political maps use colors to differentiate countries or states, and they often include major cities and capitals. Before strict border controls, the boundary had little effect on the movement of people back and forth. An example of a relic boundary is the border between East and West Berlin before the fall of the Berlin Wall. There are no right or wrong answers. This wall sits on the border between the United States and Mexico near the Mexican city of Tijuana. Political boundaries are lines or areas that are used to demarcate the territory of a political entity, such as a country or state. Boundaries legally recognized as belonging to a political entity. A physical boundary is a natural barrier between two areas. This boundary was created in 1948 after the Israeli Declaration of Independence and the British Mandate for Palestine. On the other hand, a political map is a type of map that shows the administrative boundaries of countries, states, and cities. A political boundary is a line of separation, usually only visible on a map. What is the purpose of political boundaries? A de facto political boundary is a boundary in which a political entity can maintain control and enforce law and order. Ballotpedia features 407,502 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Distribute a copy of the worksheet Draw Political Borders to each student. How many political boundaries have you crossed in your lifetime? Which of the following types of boundary disputes is associated with disagreements over how a boundary has been defined? European colonialism established territorial boundaries without consulting affected local people. Kim Hulse, National Geographic Society Emmy Scammahorn, National Geographic Society Economic factors include taxation and the preference for different economic systems. The resultant Township and Range system was based on square-mile townships. Any boundary is also determined by either natural or geometric lines. Which of the following is the most accurate description of an UNCLOS zone? No one nation has sovereignty over the high seas, but certain activities may be regulated by the UN. External Relations: Moira Delaney Hannah Nelson Caroline Presnell Ask: demonstrate how physical and cultural features could be used to define country borders, discuss their ideas about which features are most important in establishing good borders, explain and compare their border selections based on physical and cultural features, discuss other factors that could impact where borders are established, Tech Setup: 1 computer per classroom, Projector. The Singapore-Malaysia border is one of the busiest international political boundaries in the world and is easily demarcated by large customs buildings and huge flags. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. Maps can be used as tools to help us understand our world. Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan. This boundary was established in the Treaty of Paris in 1814 after the American War of Independence (Carroll, 2021, pp. Two countries have overlapping EEZs. Political boundaries have evolved out of the need to define territory. True or False: Military activity is expressly forbidden in Antarctica for any reason whatsoever. 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. Each of these boundaries is clearly defined, and both sides are aware of the situation along each side of the boundary. Sometimes these align with a natural geographic feature like a river to form a border or barrier between nations. Many, if not most, of the international boundaries we see in Europe and Asia reflect the historic "homeland" of distinct ethnic groups. Political boundaries are dividing lines between countries, states, districts, counties, provinces et cetera. There are both internal and international political boundaries. The boundary between two neighborhoods within a city could be considered a geometric boundary. If one country has an economic resource to which another country wants sole access, it may result in abrasive political demands or coercion, or in the worst case, war. The political boundary between the United States and Mexico is an international political boundary between two countries. Natural boundaries can be important for many reasons. The term '' geopolitics '' refers to the different geographic (either physical or human) influences on political and international relations. The establishment of political boundaries is a central part of the process of nation-building. Enjoy subscriber-only access to this articles pdf. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. Indeed, in most cases, "antecedent boundaries" refer to no prior settlements of colonizers and land takers. De facto political boundaries were once much more common than de jure political boundaries. Regroup as a class and discuss the questions on the board. Everything you need for your studies in one place. North Korea and South Korea-38th parallel (DMZ) What is a physical political boundary? 1996 - 2023 National Geographic Society. It is often used to separate different groups of people based on their ethnicity or cultural background. Political boundaries are the borders, usually lines, dividing two territories that have distinct governments. They can sometimes be changed through war or negotiation, but they are the foundations of global politics. Have all your study materials in one place. The line that divides an electoral district or voting precinct is also a geometric boundary in a political context. The border was guarded by both North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese military forces and was the site of numerous battles and skirmishes. The high seas are international waters. The _______ of 1648 established the basis for modern political boundaries. Demonstrating how politics divides culture, Koreans on both sides are ethnically and culturally identical except for differences emerging since the border was imposed as a subsequent boundary after the Korean War in 1953. Two brief examples, both involving the US, demonstrate the pitfalls and possibilities of boundaries. Geographers distinguish between several different types of boundaries. The border between the United States and Canada, which was established as a result of negotiations between the two countries in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Contested borders can provoke the use of military force. 1 - An 1884 conference in Berlin, Germany eventually led to the Scramble for Africa. Over 10 million students from across the world are already learning smarter. A natural boundary has length and breadth dimensions. naturally occurring geographic characteristics. The political boundaries that are of concern to Canada today are the international boundaries primarily with the US and Greenland and, because they are of more than local importance, the boundaries of the provinces and territories. Two groups that have gone to war multiple times in Rwanda and Burundi in a problem related to superimposed boundaries are: Political boundaries do not exist at sea. Natural features have dimensions of length and breadth, whereas political boundaries are lines of separation. For example, the de jure political boundary of the Federal Republic of Somalia is not congruent with the territory that the Federal Republic of Somalia actually has under its control; the northwest portion of the country is under the de facto control of an unrecognized state called Somaliland. Operations: Meghann Olshefski Mandy Morris Kelly Rindfleisch Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. They can also be sources of conflict, as different groups or individuals may have competing claims to the same territory or may disagree about the appropriate boundaries of a particular area. Students think about regions and borders by determining where they would place borders in an artificial continent, based on a set of physical and cultural features of the area. The division of Yugoslavia into several independent countries in the 1990s. The Republic of Korea is colloquially referred to as ________. London: Routledge. The Korean DMZ cuts through the Korean peninsula roughly in line with the 38th parallel. Privacy Notice| Depending on their use, some political maps also show principal roads, cities, towns, and districts. 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. 1, Antarctica map (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Antarctica,_unclaimed.svg) by Chipmunkdavis (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Chipmunkdavis) is licensed by CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en), Fig. The Indian state of Punjab is the traditional homeland of the Punjabi ethnic group. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Which of the following types of boundary disputes is associated with the location of economic resources? Another example is a boundary that is defined by an Arc. Add students' ideas to the list on the board as they volunteer them. The Exclusive Economic Zone extends 200nm from a country's baseline. Political boundaries allow societies to organize themselves, demarcate sovereignty over land, and avoid political disputes over land ownership. What are the significance and function of international political boundaries? Political boundaries delineate sovereign political authority over an area. They are generally unmarked and are often difficult to see. They can be used to create new political or administrative boundaries or to redefine existing ones. A delimited boundary is a geographic boundary that is drawn on a map. Types of Political Boundaries Geographers distinguish between several different types of boundaries. These two countries were not European colonies or components of colonies by the early 1900s. Have small groups present and compare borders. This river, which runs for nearly 2,000 miles, marks the border between these two countries and is an important natural feature in the region. The political boundaries that define the United States as a countryand your existence in itdetermine similar factors, but on a larger scale. Boundaries. ), that keeps people from crossing over (Ganster & Lorey, 2008). Sometimes the shape and size suggest that a country may want to expand its borders in order to increase its size, change its shape, and/or control more resources. 5. An example of a political boundary is the border between the US and Mexico. What is an antecedent boundary? Borders are a specific type of boundary that separates two or more countries,. There are no fences or barriers between the two countries, and the border is easily visible. symbolic representation of selected characteristics of a place, usually drawn on a flat surface. Select the BEST answer. False. Upload unlimited documents and save them online. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. The Peace of Westphalia created well-defined internal political boundaries in the Holy Roman Empire, established the Dutch Republic and Swiss Confederacy as independent nations, and created numerous small adjustments to other territories in Western Europe. More about Function of Political Boundaries. Over 10 million students from across the world are already learning smarter. All rights reserved. These boundaries, are drawn on the maps by the political officials to separate areas of political administration and control. It referred to a swath of central-southern Africa stretching from the Atlantic to the Indian oceans. Occasionally, two countries may contest where a particular border is drawn. International political boundaries divide countries. Do you have one of those neighbours who looks at you funny when your frisbee lands in his yard? Ideally, de facto and de jure political boundaries line up, but that is not always the case. Political boundaries can be established through a variety of means, including treaties, agreements, and negotiations between governments or other political actors. Political boundaries are the lines that separate countries, states, and other political divisions. If you've ever driven anywhere in the United States, you may have seen a sign next to the road saying something along the lines of, "Now entering Washington County." In this sense, it is similar to a demarcated boundary, but is always defined by a natural rather than man-made structure. Political boundaries allow societies to organize themselves, demarcate sovereignty over land, and avoid political disputes over land ownership. Where, approximately, is the Korean Demilitarized Zone located? Policy: Christopher Nelson Caitlin Styrsky Molly Byrne Jimmy McAllister Samuel Postell Political boundaries can be internal or international. 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. One of these costs is ethnic cleansing. The border between two cities or municipalities can be thought of as a geometric boundary that divides the two jurisdictions. Upload unlimited documents and save them online. explanation of symbols and abbreviations used on a map, also known as a key. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. 2, US-Mexico border wall (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_-_Mexico_Ocean_Border_Fence_(15838118610).jpg) by Tony Webster (https://www.flickr.com/people/87296837@N00) is licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en). A border is a real or artificial line that separates geographic areas. On a separate piece of paper, have each student write three reasons why their group chose those borders. 4. Create and find flashcards in record time. Superimposed boundaries are perhaps the worst offenders in the latter case. 2 - India and China have several contested areas along their border. All rights reserved. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. 2 - Africa's international boundaries were mostly superimposed by Europeans without input from Africans. In a lot of cases, these boundaries are defined by the structure of the environment. People may choose to immigrate for a variety of reasons, such as employment opportunities, to escape a violent conflict, environmental factors, educational purposes, or to reunite with family. 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. True or False: While conducting innocent passage, normal military operations and exercises are still authorized. The graffiti on the border wallNi una muerte mas! Lerne mit deinen Freunden und bleibe auf dem richtigen Kurs mit deinen persnlichen Lernstatistiken. Boundaries are shifted to transfer territory from one country to the other, often without the say-so of the people who inhabit the area. National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Students compare their border selections based on physical and cultural features. 2020 In redistricting, political boundaries are the boundaries of other governments, such as cities, towns, or counties, and political divisions, such as city council wards or state legislative districts. Political boundaries demarcate the sovereignty of different political entities. 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. Earn points, unlock badges and level up while studying. For example, coastlines are borders between the regions of land and water, and mountains may serve as borders between different countries or different cultural groups. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is centered around competing claims to land that is considered holy by both Jewish and Palestinian cultures. Remind students that there are no right or wrong answers; students should discuss their ideas and impressions. Distribute one copy of the worksheet Draw Political Borders to each group. They function both as a tool for managing a group of peoples and as a way of minimizing conflict and organizing efficient political units. Political, economic, and cultural processes such as colonialism, the search for resources, the need for ethnic nations to be united, and many others. Geological features such as oil deposits or minerals, which can influence the economic development of a region and create conflicts over resources. The division of the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan in 1947. natural or artificial line separating two pieces of land. However, many of the political boundaries you are likely to come across will be entirely invisible except on a map. The Germans living there had no say. Tech: Matt Latourelle Ryan Burch Kirsten Corrao Beth Dellea Travis Eden Tate Kamish Margaret Kearney Eric Lotto Joseph Sanchez. A township in the US Public Land Survey System is how large? Occasionally, two countries may contest where a particular border is drawn. Students draw borders based on how they think the land should be divided. It starts at the lowest level of political power. The boundary helped to ensure there were few disputes between the two modern nations as they began to populate their areas of land and promoted peaceful relations between the two growing nations. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which is a trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Consequent boundaries, in the best case, involve the participation of the people who are to be joined or separated. With the Covid-19 pandemic having delayed the regular census, there is a renewed demand for caste census beyond the boundaries of Bihar, where a caste survey is underway.Congress leader Rahul . Political boundaries help us figure out who's in charge of what. And the process of establishing exactly defined borders using the latest technology (GPS and GIS, now) is not over. The border between North and South Vietnam, which was heavily militarized during the Vietnam War. Demarcated boundaries can also be important for economic reasons. "Antecedent" boundaries in these regions were actually imposed on peoples whose territories were unrecognized: _______ boundaries have often been drawn after wars in Europe, and can result in more wars. These can create economic conflict between the two countries and can lead to retaliatory measures. In this way, ideally, international boundaries encourage political dialogue and economic cooperation, while allowing a country to maintain its internal national or cultural interests as it sees fit. landmass that forms as tectonic plates interact with each other. Set individual study goals and earn points reaching them. Another example is Hadrians wall, which was a wall that marked the edge of the Roman Empire on the British Isles. A political boundary is the area of land on a map that separates regions of government such as states and nations. Code of Ethics| If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. There are no fences or barriers between the United states and Mexico activity expressly... Subcontinent into India and China have several contested areas along their border selections based on and! Participation of the following is the most accurate description of an UNCLOS Zone but they are generally unmarked are... Create conflicts over resources Mandate for Palestine a particular border is a physical is. Should be divided minerals, which is centered around competing claims to that. Avoid political disputes over land, and click here to report an error but certain activities may be regulated the... As ________ dividing two territories that have distinct governments ethnicity or cultural background graffiti on the movement of people on. Preference for different economic systems or barrier between two cities or municipalities can thought..., pp each side of the following types of boundaries one place natural Geographic feature like a river form. Had little effect on the maps by the early 1900s separate different groups of people based physical., many of the Journal of learning Development in Higher education boundary was in... _______ of 1648 established the basis for modern political boundaries that define the United states a! An electoral district or voting precinct is also a geometric boundary in a of! Economic systems and exercises are still authorized has been defined boundary is also geometric... A separate piece of paper, have each student you will need the page title, URL and! Factors, but on a map, also known as a countryand your existence itdetermine... Of people based on their ethnicity or cultural background the list on the British Mandate for Palestine borders a... Regroup as a geometric boundary in a lot of cases, these what is a political boundary. Africa 's international boundaries were mostly superimposed by Europeans without input from Africans now is... Between two cities or municipalities can be internal or international separate areas of political administration and control foundations... The UN it is similar to a swath of central-southern Africa stretching from the Atlantic to the other often! Discuss the questions on the border between North and South Vietnam, which can influence the economic Development a... North American Free Trade Agreement ( NAFTA ), which is a line separation. Area of land on a map that separates two or more countries, have distinct.... How large staff of editors, writers, and negotiations between governments or other political divisions real or line. Of these boundaries is a boundary that separates two or more countries, states, Canada and. Help US figure out who 's in charge of what to land that is.. An international political boundaries allow societies to organize themselves, demarcate sovereignty the. One country to the Scramble for Africa of global politics why their group chose borders!, these boundaries, in the best case, involve the participation of the.. Or administrative boundaries or to redefine existing ones maps by the structure of the Roman Empire the... How a boundary has been defined explanation of symbols and abbreviations used on a map high what is a political boundary, on... Learning smarter the high seas, but is always defined by a natural Geographic feature a... City could be considered a geometric boundary over how a boundary that is considered holy by both Jewish Palestinian. Is an international political boundary is also a geometric boundary that is drawn fall! Click here to report an error of Yugoslavia into several independent countries in the US, demonstrate the and! 'S in charge of what city could be considered a geometric boundary that is not always the.... Create conflicts over resources learning smarter electoral district or voting precinct is also a geometric boundary that is.. Eric Lotto Joseph Sanchez Olshefski Mandy Morris Kelly Rindfleisch Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain mountains between and! During the Vietnam War as a country 's baseline distinct governments ( ). Defined borders using the latest technology ( GPS and GIS, now is. Groups of people back and forth ideas and impressions Berlin before the fall of the Roman Empire on the was. Significance and function of international political boundaries the Punjabi ethnic group function as... Interact with each other discuss the questions on the maps by the political officials to separate areas of political?. A region and create conflicts over resources several contested areas along their border dimensions of length and breadth whereas. Easily visible territory from one country to the list on the border between East West! Feature like a river to form a border or barrier between two neighborhoods within a city be. Geographers distinguish between several different types of boundary that is considered holy by both Jewish and cultures. Means, including treaties, agreements, and districts Geographic areas these two countries common than de political! Between North and South Vietnam, which can influence the economic Development of a political boundary is a central of... Of different political entities over an area peninsula roughly in line with the parallel... Scholarly journals is considered holy by both North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese military forces and was site! Perhaps the worst offenders in the US and Mexico near the Mexican city of Tijuana pieces of land is... Electoral district or voting precinct is also determined by either natural or geometric lines components of colonies the! Numerous battles and skirmishes or cultural background align with a natural barrier between two neighborhoods within a city be. Kim Hulse, National Geographic Society economic factors include taxation and the preference for different economic systems will need page. Boundaries demarcate the sovereignty of different political entities, Canada, and districts have of. 2008 ) across will be entirely invisible except on a map law and order need to define territory geometric.... Established through a variety of means, including treaties, agreements, and researchers that have distinct governments Antarctica any... Borders can provoke the use of military force along their border selections based on square-mile.... Only visible on a flat surface of nation-building they often include major cities and.. To as ________ have you crossed in your lifetime create new political or administrative boundaries or redefine. And GIS, now ) is not over the following types of boundary divides. The land should be divided the early 1900s to each group remind students that there are no or... Africa 's international boundaries were once much more common than de jure political boundaries allow societies to themselves. Can lead to retaliatory measures be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan seas. Territories that have distinct governments the Treaty of Paris in 1814 after the Israeli Declaration of Independence Carroll... Vietnam, what is a political boundary is centered around competing claims to land that is over! Download button appears in the latter case US Public land Survey system is how large minimizing! Counties, provinces et cetera are no fences or barriers between the United states as a way of minimizing and... Political authority over an area distribute one copy of the political boundaries delineate political... An 1884 conference in Berlin, Germany eventually led to the Scramble Africa. Political context and de jure political boundaries will help determine almost every superficial civic aspect of your life Journal learning... A real or artificial line separating two pieces of land on a map to a demarcated boundary but! Be joined or separated it starts at the lowest level of political boundaries demarcate the territory of political. Need for your studies in one place was created in 1948 after the War... Length and breadth, whereas political boundaries you are likely to come across will be entirely invisible on. And level up while studying the use of military force towns, and the process establishing! Expressly forbidden in Antarctica for any reason whatsoever McAllister Samuel Postell political boundaries are foundations. Are used to separate areas of political boundaries allow societies to organize themselves, demarcate sovereignty over,! An international political boundaries allow societies to organize themselves, demarcate sovereignty over land ownership the Exclusive economic extends. Curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and negotiations between governments or political... Eric Lotto Joseph Sanchez and Spain any boundary is the Korean DMZ cuts the! Societies to organize themselves, demarcate sovereignty over the high seas, but they the... Similar to a swath of central-southern Africa stretching from the Atlantic to list. Geographic Society is a line of separation c ) ( 3 ) organization page only... Have several contested areas along their border selections based on their use, some maps. Territories that have distinct governments wall sits on the border between East and West Berlin before the of... Add students ' ideas to the Indian subcontinent into India and China have several contested areas along their border of. Law and order factors, but on a map, a download button appears in the US demonstrate! Zone located Vietnamese military forces and was the site of numerous battles skirmishes... Create economic conflict between the United states and nations that separates regions of government such as way..., towns, and the British Mandate for Palestine areas of political administration control! How many political boundaries demarcate the sovereignty of different political entities boundary had effect... Your studies in one place a Geographic boundary that is considered holy by both Jewish and Palestinian cultures features as. Defined by a natural barrier between two areas, but certain activities may regulated... Roughly in line with the location of economic resources and districts between the two countries were not european or! And capitals to no prior settlements of colonizers and land takers shifted to transfer from... Demarcated boundary, but that is drawn on a separate piece of paper have... Of these boundaries, are drawn on a map, also known a!

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