Physical Boundaries Important physical features on Earth’s

surface can make good boundaries because they are easily seen, both on a map and on the ground.

Cultural Boundaries

The boundaries between some states coincide with differences in ethnicity.

Other cultural boundaries are drawn according to geometry; they simply are straight lines drawn on a map.

Geometric Boundaries Part of the northern U.S.

boundary with Canada is a 2,100-kilometer (1,300- mile) straight line (more precisely, an arc) along 49° north latitude, . . . established in 1846 by a treaty between the United States and Great Britain, which still controlled Canada.

The United States and Canada share an additional 1,100-kilometer (700-mile) geometric boundary between Alaska and the Yukon Territory along the north-south arc of 14° west longitude.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIPDJ1Cc_uw

The oldest form of government in which the ruler inherits power automatically from their parents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAaWvVFERVA

Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith

His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. Emperor Akihito

King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saudسعود آل العزيز عبد بن الله عبد

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

Reigning Prince of Liechtenstein, Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, Count of Rietberg, Sovereign of the House of Liechtenstein

MonarchyMonarchyA B

Never have constitutions

Power is inherited

Government authority based on the will of the people who Government authority based on the will of the people who enjoy certain basic rightsenjoy certain basic rights

Democracy Democracy

Any form of government in which political Any form of government in which political

power is exercised by power is exercised by all citizensall citizens, either , either directly or through their elected directly or through their elected

representatives. representatives.

There are two kinds of There are two kinds of DemocraciesDemocracies… … Direct!

Representative!

DirectDirect RepresentativeRepresentativeAll citizens vote on all All citizens vote on all issues directlyissues directly

Citizens elect representatives Citizens elect representatives who represent their interests who represent their interests in assembliesin assemblies

There are no branches of There are no branches of governmentgovernment

Power is usually divided into Power is usually divided into 2 branches (branches usually 2 branches (branches usually determined by social groups)determined by social groups)

Example: Ancient AthensExample: Ancient Athens Example: United StatesExample: United States

Electoral Geography

• The boundaries separating legislative districts are redrawn to ensure that each district has approximately the same population.

• The process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power is called gerrymandering.

Government run by religious leadersGovernment run by religious leaders

In Ancient Egypt, the Pharaohs In Ancient Egypt, the Pharaohs were the rulers. They were also were the rulers. They were also gods to the people. They were gods to the people. They were worshipped as deities on earth.worshipped as deities on earth.

The Vatican City was declared a The Vatican City was declared a separate state in 1929. The Pope separate state in 1929. The Pope rules the Vatican. All laws of the rules the Vatican. All laws of the Vatican come from cannon law. Vatican come from cannon law. The Pope is elected by the The Pope is elected by the College of Cardinals and rules for College of Cardinals and rules for life.life.

Puritan ministers ran Puritan ministers ran society and the society and the government during early government during early colonial life in the Thirteen colonial life in the Thirteen Colonies. Later mayors Colonies. Later mayors and governors were and governors were elected by the people.elected by the people.

•Religious leaders in Iran seized power in 1979Religious leaders in Iran seized power in 1979

•Voters elect a president and representatives to the Voters elect a president and representatives to the legislature, but they are subject to the authority of the legislature, but they are subject to the authority of the AyatollahsAyatollahs

•The leader of the Ayatollahs is called the Supreme Leader. He The leader of the Ayatollahs is called the Supreme Leader. He is elected for lifeis elected for life

•He interprets religious law and can dismiss the president and He interprets religious law and can dismiss the president and declare wardeclare war

A single person or small group A single person or small group exercises complete power over exercises complete power over

others (NOT inherited)others (NOT inherited)

•A dictator often seizes control by A dictator often seizes control by force. force.

•In Latin American and African In Latin American and African countries, dictators gain power countries, dictators gain power through the military.through the military.

•Ordinary citizens have no influence over the governmentOrdinary citizens have no influence over the government

•When a country is attacked it’s essential for strategies When a country is attacked it’s essential for strategies and plans to be made and implemented quicklyand plans to be made and implemented quickly

•Organization of all the sovereign nation Organization of all the sovereign nation states in the worldstates in the world•Goal- promote peace, prevent war, and Goal- promote peace, prevent war, and encourage development of all nationsencourage development of all nations•Everyone belongs to the General Everyone belongs to the General AssemblyAssembly•US, China, Russia, Britain, and France US, China, Russia, Britain, and France belong to the UN Security Council (send belong to the UN Security Council (send peace keeping forces to areas of conflictpeace keeping forces to areas of conflict

What is the European Union?

Collection of countries which are economically and politically dependent on each other

Formed officially in 1951 as the ECSC

Europe Day is May 9 Almost 500 million citizens (more

people than U.S. with a lot less land)

Benefits of NAFTABenefits of NAFTAAg. exports under NAFTA = 258,000

U.S. jobs Average annual growth = $847 millionDismantling trade barriers = market

integration Canada is # 1 U.S. export market Mexico is # 2 U.S. export market U.S. is #1 export market for both Canada

and Mexico