Why do boundaries cause problems

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Why do boundaries cause problems?

• Chapter 8, key issue 2

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Overview

• Boundaries invisible line marking the extent of
  a states territory
  
• Shapes of states
• Types of boundaries
• Boundaries inside states
• Shapes and boundaries can cause conflict and
  difficulty in governance

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Shapes of states

• Five Basic Shapes
• Compact
• Prorupted
• Elongated
• Fragmented
• Perforated

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Compact

• Little (and roughly similar) distances from
  center to boundary
  
• Easy to defend and govern
• Communication and transportation distances from
  capital manageable
  
• Many examples

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Compact state Hungary
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Prorupted States

• States with extended territory designed to create
  access to a resource or divide a territory
  
• Examples include Zaire, Namibia, or Afghanistan
• Difficult to manage due to exaggerated distances

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Prorupted state Afghanistan
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Elongated States

• Elongated states are long and narrow
• Chile is the best example
• Difficult to govern, communicate, and defend

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Elongated State Norway
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Fragmented

• States divided by water or another state
• US became fragmented in 1959 with the addition of
  Alaska and Hawaii
  
• Indonesia, Philippines are also examples
• Communication, defense, etc. difficult due to
  separation and potential conflict

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Fragmented state the Philippines
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Perforated States

• Nation completely surrounded by another
• South Africa, San Marino are examples
• Good relations with surrounding state are vital

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Perforated State San Marino
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Landlocked states

• States with no access to oceans
• Dependent on other forms of transportation such
  as rivers, rail, air
  
• Other nations control access
• Transportation of bulk goods and resources depend
  on others

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Landlocked state Mongolia
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Types of boundaries

• Multiple types of boundaries
• Frontier no official line
• Physical based on landforms such as rivers,
  mountains, etc.
  
• Cultural geometric, religious, language
  boundaries based on cultural differences
  

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Physical and Cultural Boundary Mexico
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Cultural Boundary Ireland
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Boundaries Inside States

• Unitary and Federal Governments
• Unitary centralized government with few local
  governments
  
• Federal government with multiple
  local/state/provincial government
  
• Progression toward localized government