State/Country- an independent unit that occupies a specific territory and has full control of its internal and external affairs

Nation- group of people with a common culture living in a territory and having a strong sense of unity

ex. the Cherokee Nation, the Kurds, Inuit of Canada

Nation-State- when a nation and a state occupy the same territory

ex. Poland, Bangladesh

1) Population

2) Sovereignty

*freedom & power to decide on politics & actions

3) clearly defined territory

Size

*historically size was a measure of a country’s pride,

*Microstate- a country so small you can walk across it in a day

Shape

*compact nation- land areas not separated by large bodies of water or by territory of other countries

ex. Nigeria, Poland

*fragmented nation- nations that have land areas that are geographically separated from other parts of the country

ex. United States, New Zealand

Location- relative location is important

*landlocked- surrounded by land with no sea/ocean coastline

*coastline- brings trade

*hostile neighboring countries can limit economic potential

Boundaries- sets the limit of the territory

*Natural Boundaries- border based on a physical features such as rivers, lakes, or mountain chains

*Artificial Boundaries- a fixed line generally following a line of latitude or longitude

-border can be the result of a war or treaty agreement

4) a government

*Democracy- rule by the people

-constitutional monarchy- very limited power and role is symbolic

*Monarchy-monarch has the power, position is usually inherited

*Dictatorship- one person or group has control

*Communism- government and economic system in which the government owns and controls everything in the name of the people

5) economy- where the $ comes from, the production and exchange of goods and services

Market Economy (capitalism, free-enterprise system)- individuals and private corporations own most of the businesses, government has some regulations

Command Economy (communism, planned economy)- government owns almost all the businesses and controls the entire economy

Mixed economy (socialism)- government owns some or parts of businesses for the benefit of the people and individuals maintain basic right as consumers

Traditional economy (barter)- customs, habits, laws, & religion form the basis of economic activity goods and services still produced the same way for centuries agriculture is the main activity; trade is primary means of getting goods and services

6) recognition

A country must be officially recognized to be considered a country. Usually it is the United Nations.

4 levels of Economic Activity

1. Primary- gathering the raw materials for the making of finished products

2. Secondary- using the raw materials to make finished materials

3. Tertiary- service industries

4. Quaternary- providing information, management, and research services by highly trained persons

A large developed country will have all 4 levels of activities. A smaller developed country will not have much (if any) Primary Activities

Renewable- replaceable resources in a reasonable amount of time such as trees, soil, water, or seafood

Non-renewable- resources that cannot be replaced such as gold, iron, gemstones, oil, or natural gas

Inexhaustible energy sources- unlimited quantity such as wind, sunlight, or geothermal heat.

Per capita income- average amount of money earned by each person, the higher the income the better off the country is.

highest- Luxembourg $44,000

2nd place- US $ 37, 600

lowest- East Timor $500

GNP (gross national product)- total value of all goods and services produced by a country over a year

GDP (gross domestic product)- total value of all goods and services produced WITHIN a country in a year

highest- US $ 10,400,000,000,000

lowest- Tokelau $1,500,000

Film Questions

• What are subsistent needs?• What are factors determining economic

activity?• What does technology consist of?