Have an account?
Skip to Content
Build your own quiz
Suggestions for you
60 questions
Show Answers
See Preview
- 1. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following groups represents a nation without a state?KurdsIsraelisTurksGermansAlbanians
- 2. Multiple Choice
Based on the map, which of the following can be identified as a true statement about Northern Ireland?
It is united with the rest of the island to form a sovereign nation-state.
It forms its own sovereign nation-state predominately made up of the Irish ethnic group.
It is a frontier that is not formally part of a state, but the United Kingdom claims the area.
It is physically separate from the rest of the United Kingdom, a multinational state.
It is a stateless nation, as the entire island of Ireland is under the control of the United Kingdom.
- 3. Multiple Choice
Which of the following best explains why the region of Catalonia in Spain could be a viable country?
Catalonia is linguistically distinct compared to other regions in Spain.
Catalonia is well developed economically compared to other regions in Spain.
Catalonia's population is ethnically distinct compared to other regions in Spain.
Catalonia has a large population compared to other regions in Spain.
Catalonia has a major city, Barcelona, which has a notoriety comparable to that of the Spanish capital, Madrid.
- 4. Multiple ChoiceThe Berlin Conference established the borders of North African countries including Egypt, Libya, and Sudan. The landscape of these countries influenced the types of boundaries imposed by the European colonial powers. Which of the following boundary types best explains the influence of landscape on the political borders of the North African region?Antecedent, based on tribal cultural boundaries that existed before European colonizationSubsequent, with smaller buffer states placed between larger states to prevent political conflictsConsequent, accounting for local differences in language and religion during European colonizationNatural, with irregular lines, accounting for regional physical features such as mountains or water bodiesGeometric, with straight lines, disregarding physical features or tribal cultural differences of the areas
- 5. Multiple ChoiceBoundaries based on the median-line principle are generally associated withmajor highwaysconverging ethnic territoriesunsettled frontier zonesbodies of watermountain ridges
- 6. Multiple ChoiceSome territories within the Russian Federation are characterized by concentrated populations of ethnic groups and these areas function as autonomous republics. Which of the following best explains the political relationship between the autonomous republics and the central government of Russia?The central government of Russia exerts complete control over the autonomous republics to counteract devolutionary pressures.The autonomous republics are able to function independently from the central government because of an abundance of natural resources.Russia is a multistate nation characterized by contested regional boundaries.The autonomous republics provide ethnic groups with some political control over their homelands while preserving Russia’s territorial integrity.Russia is a unitary state characterized by many ethnic groups united within a single country.
- 7. Multiple ChoiceThe former international border between East Germany and West Germany is best described asan open bordera demilitarized zonea relict boundaryan antecedent boundarya geometric boundary
- 8. Multiple ChoiceThe Canadian government created the new territory of Nunavut in order tore-create the pre-1912 boundary of Quebecrecognize the territorial rights of indigenous people in the areafacilitate the exploration of mineral resources in the Northwest Territoriesgrant autonomy to the Cree and Mohawk people living in eastern Canadaguarantee Canadian fishing rights in the Atlantic Ocean
- 9. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following correctly compares the impact of centripetal forces at the local scale with the impact of centripetal forces at the national scale?Centripetal forces may cause uneven development at the local scale but not at the national scale.Centripetal forces at both the local scale and the national scale may lead to increased cultural cohesion.Centripetal forces may lead to stateless nations at the national scale but not the local scale.Centripetal forces may result in nationalism at the local scale but not at the national scale.Centripetal forces at both the local scale and the national scale may lead to failed states.
- 10. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following describes typical characteristics of federal states?A centralized government and strong centripetal forcesA fragmented land area and a single ethnic groupA small land area and high population densityA compact shape and a primate cityA large land area and multiple ethnic groups
- 11. Multiple Choice
The Philippines and Malaysia lay claim to resources under and around the Spratly Islands. Which of the following best explains how the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) influences claims to the islands by both countries?
The claims to the Spratly Islands by both the Philippines and Malaysia overlap due to exclusive economic zones up to 200 nautical miles from their coasts.
The Philippines and Malaysia both claim the islands lie within their territorial seas up to 12 nautical miles from their coasts.
The claims to the islands by the Philippines and Malaysia overlap due to the median line principle.
The Philippines and Malaysia both claim ownership to the resources based on a historic possession of the islands.
The Philippines and Malaysia both claim the islands lie within their contiguous zones between 12 and 24 nautical miles from their coasts.
- 12. Multiple ChoiceThe boundaries of congressional districts of the United States areset according to a process developed by the writers of the United States Constitutionredrawn every ten yearsredrawn whenever a member of Congress feels his or her constituency has changedredrawn after every presidential electiondrawn to cross over state boundaries
- 13. Multiple ChoiceCulturally defined political boundaries, such as those determined by the spatial patterns of religion or language, are calledconsequentgeometricrelictnaturalantecedent
- 14. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following describes a federal form of governance?A centralized government creates a barrier to local participation in the political process.Autonomous regions act outside the authority of a central government.Federal states encourage devolutionary movements and break apart quickly.Laws are enacted in a single language to promote cultural unity.Multiple substates have local control and are unified to pursue common goals at the national level.
- 15. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following describes a unitary form of governance?Stronger states and transnational corporations indirectly control weaker states.A state has a strong central government with no power given to regions.A collection of independent communities shares government services.A state’s more powerful central government shares power with its regions.A sense of unity, often derived from ethnic or cultural traits, binds a country together.
- 16. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following is an accurate comparison of devolutionary movements in Spain and Canada?There is an economic aspect to the Quebecois independence movement, while the Catalans focus mainly on culture.Both independence movements utilize cultural distinctiveness as their only reason for seeking independence.Both independence movements focus on religious differences with the nations they currently belong to.There is an economic aspect to the Catalan independence movement, while the Quebecois focus mainly on cultural differences.Both independence movements utilize economic power as their main reason for seeking independence.
- 17. Multiple Choice
Based on the data in the table, which of the following is a possible impact of ethnic and religious diversity in Iraq?
Ethnicity and religion act as centripetal forces in the country by creating a common Iraqi identity among the population.
Ethnicity and religion facilitate democratization in the country by motivating participation in elections.
Ethnicity and religion promote economic development in the country by generating national pride in the country’s accomplishments.
Ethnicity and religion lead to devolutionary pressures in the country by politically dividing regions.
Ethnicity and religion increase cultural cohesion in the country by promoting shared political ideology.
- 18. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct organizational scale for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)?
Global
Supranational
National
State
Local
- 19. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following can be an example of a centrifugal political force?Homogeneous ethnic populationStrong central governmentVariation of language within the countryShift to tertiary economyConcentrated ownership of media
- 20. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following describes an example of a consequent boundary?The Berlin Wall between East and West Germany no longer exists, but the location is still evident.European powers divided Africa at the Berlin Conference and drew boundaries across the continent.The United States–Canadian boundary was set at the 49th parallel by a treaty before the area was settled.Canada created the province of Nunavut to provide greater autonomy for the First Nations.The Andes Mountains are used as a political boundary to divide Chile and Argentina.
- 21. Multiple Choice
Which of the following best explains the governance of the shaded areas shown on the map?
These areas are established as nation-states for indigenous peoples at the local scale.
These areas show territory occupied by indigenous peoples as stateless nations at a local scale.
These areas show territory controlled by indigenous peoples as a single multistate nation.
These areas show where indigenous peoples have a limited amount of self-government at a national scale.
These areas are lands of indigenous peoples that are sovereign independent states at an international scale.
- 22. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following best describes the role of the federal state in a country’s political organization?To act as a system of defense that protects subnational states from threats emerging outside of the country’s international bordersTo act as a single centralized economy for a collection of subnational states allied for a common purposeTo act as an overarching government for a collection of subnational states allied for a common purposeTo act as a strong centralized administration that eliminates the need for self-governing subnational or local governmentsTo act as a virtual public-service provider that eliminates the need for self-governing subnational or local governments
- 23. Multiple ChoiceCrossing which of the following borders requires few, if any, formalities and thus encourages the free flow of people and products?Netherlands-BelgiumIndia-PakistanUnited States-CanadaRomania-UkraineNorth Korea-South Korea
- 24. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following best explains the effect of French language and culture on the federal state of Canada’s political power?French language and culture act as a centripetal force throughout Canada as the majority of Canadians have English as a first language and the government uses both languages in official communications.As an expression of political power, the Canadian federal government restricts French language and culture from media and government proceedings.French language and culture act as centripetal forces and unify all of Canada’s people and government into a single nation.French language and culture act as a centrifugal force in Canada because independence movements in Quebec have attempted to secede the province from Canada.Because French Canadians are spread across the country’s provinces, the Canadian government implemented federal laws to create a common culture and language for all Canadians.
- 25. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following is a likely outcome of gerrymandering?Splitting areas of majority group voters across a number of legislative representatives' districtsPacking areas of minority group voters into a single legislative representative’s districtDisrupting electronic polling machines or the data networks run by elections officialsPlacing a legislative representative’s districts in a row pattern while drawing a new electoral mapSupporting political party candidates with campaign funds intended to be used in particular geographic areas
- 26. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following compares the impact of increased global communications technology to the impact of state-controlled media?Both global communication technology and state-controlled media act as centripetal forces that present a common message, which is utilized by the government to bind citizens together.Neither global communications technology nor state-controlled media have any impact on the viability of a state when it comes to centripetal or centrifugal forces.Global communications technology is utilized as a centripetal force to present a common message, whereas state-controlled media may bring in new ideas that act as centrifugal forces.Both global communications technology and state-controlled media act as centrifugal forces because they give citizens access to concepts or ideas that may inspire dissent.Global communications technology may bring in new ideas that act as centrifugal forces, whereas state-controlled media is utilized as a centripetal force to present a common message.
- 27. Multiple ChoiceA good example of a centripetal force in political geography isthe existence of different language regionsrugged topographyreligious diversity and conflicta primate citya poorly developed road network
- 28. Multiple Choice
In 1982 the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) established freedom-of-navigation rights and defined territorial waters as a 12-nautical-mile limit from the coast where individual states have political and economic sovereignty. However, Greece and Turkey still only claim a 6-nautical-mile territorial sea. What do the maps indicate regarding the political geography of the Aegean Sea?
Turkey controls most of the islands in the Aegean Sea.
Greece controls most of the islands in the Aegean Sea.
Turkey and Greece share control of most of the islands in the Aegean Sea.
Turkey controls all access from the Dardanelles to the Mediterranean Sea.
Greece controls all access from the Aegean Sea to the Black Sea.
- 29. Multiple ChoiceHistorically, Iceland had only one period of human migration. The country has never been invaded and possesses a common culture and language. As a result, Iceland is regarded as a good example of which of the following concepts?Absolute monarchyTheocracyConstitutional monarchyNation-stateExclave
- 30. Multiple ChoiceNunavut in Canada is a semiautonomous region that allows an indigenous group within Canada to maintain their own culture and local government, reducing the threat of fragmentation. Which of the following best compares the impact of the creation of Nunavut at both local and national scales?It created centrifugal forces at both local and national scales.It created centrifugal forces at the local scale but not the national scale.It created centrifugal forces locally and centripetal forces nationally.It created centripetal forces at the national scale but not the local scale.It created centripetal forces at both local and national scales.
- 31. Multiple Choice
Which of the following explains why Bosnia and Herzegovina would want to join the European Union (EU)?
To increase the chances of joining NATO and protection against Russian invasion
To benefit from the EU single currency and open borders that exist between their country’s neighboring states
To benefit from the EU single currency and eliminate the cost of currency exchange with the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Sweden
To participate in the EU free trade zone and automatically receive the protection of NATO
To benefit from the EU free trade zone and achieve economic and social stability
- 32. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following explains why Korea and Vietnam were viewed as shatterbelts during the Cold War?Korea and Vietnam were politically controlled by regional powers.Korea and Vietnam kept two political adversaries geographically separated.Korea and Vietnam fragmented into new states due to internal tensions.Korea and Vietnam tried to control land and sea areas around their states.Korea and Vietnam experienced conflict due to a dispute between global powers.
- 33. Multiple Choice
The map above shows the countries in Africa where private investors and foreign governments have leased farmland for large-scale commercial farming. Usually much of the food produced is bound for wealthier nations. This practice is an example of
decolonization
Pan-Africanism
neocolonialism
imperialism
irredentism
- 34. Multiple ChoiceThe provisions of the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea give coastal countries navigational and economic sovereignty over which of the following zones?Twelve-nautical-mile territorial sea zoneExport processing zone (EPZ)200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zoneEmpowerment zoneContinental shelf
- 35. Multiple Choice
Compare the centralized power of the Soviet Union with the contemporary Russian Federation, in terms of the control of territory. Which of the following statements does the information in the map best support?
Russia is a global power with concentrated power in East Asia.
Russia is a multistate nation made up of numerous sovereign independent entities.
Russia’s autonomous regions illustrate a strategy to counter the difficulty in governing such a large area from a single centralized location.
Russia is an ethnically diverse region with many subnational units.
Russia used to control fifteen additional republics that regained their independence in 1990.
- 36. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following terms best describes the political entity of the Republic of Ireland?Stateless nationMultinational stateNation-stateAutonomous regionDependent territory
- 37. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following best illustrates the geographical concept of the nation-state?CanadaRussiaBelgiumIcelandIndia
- 38. Multiple Choice
The shape of North Carolina’s Twelfth Congressional District, shown above, is most likely the result of
watershed boundaries
gerrymandering
county boundaries
decentralization
amalgamation
- 39. Multiple ChoiceWhat is the source of dispute between Canada, Russia, Norway, Denmark, and the United States over political boundaries in the Arctic Ocean and ownership of the North Pole?They all claim the right to extract natural resources out to the edge of the continental shelf, beyond their exclusive economic zones.They all claim to have had indigenous residents from their countries living on the polar ice pack at sometime in the past.Each claims the first explorer to reach the North Pole came from their country and planted their flag, signifying ownership.The northern polar region has the same international treaties that govern land use and resources in Antarctica.The North Pole is the focal point of all the intersecting boundaries on the map. However, it floats on a constantly moving ice sheet.
- 40. Multiple Choice
In the United States House of Representatives there are a fixed number of 435 seats divided among the states based upon each state’s relative population size. Changes in the number of representatives, as shown on the map, affect politics at which of the following scales?
City
County
State
Regional
National
- 41. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following terms refers to an area of instability located between regions with opposing political and cultural values?RimlandHeartlandShatter beltEnclaveGerrymandered area
- 42. Multiple Choice
Based on the map, which of the following best explains the implications of physical geography as the Kurds continue to struggle for an independent state in their ethnic homeland?
Israel, Turkey, and Russia have voiced their support for an independent Kurdistan in areas with a majority Kurdish population, showing potential validation for Kurdistan.
n September 2017 a public referendum was carried out that demonstrated that a majority of Kurds overwhelmingly support independence.
Most areas with a Kurdish majority population are landlocked and therefore dependent on good relationships with their neighbors in order to access trade and prosper economically.
Even in areas with a Kurdish minority population, Kurdish people have their own unique culture and identity separately from the states in which their nation is located.
Unstable oil prices have created economic problems both in parts of the region with a Kurdish majority population and in parts with a Kurdish minority, leaving the Kurdistan Regional Government weakened and struggling to pay off debt.
- 43. Multiple ChoiceMost of Africa’s political boundaries were originally drawn byseventeenth-century European explorersEuropean colonial powers in the late-nineteenth centurythe Bandung Conference of 1955decolonization movements of the 1950s and 1960sUN peacekeeping missions in the 1950s and 1960s
- 44. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following is the name for political redistricting that produces unusually shaped districts to create a political advantage?GerrymanderingRedliningZoningPoliticizationGentrification
- 45. Multiple Choice
Which of the following terms identifies the type of regions shown in the dark gray-shaded areas on the map?
Functional regions
Urban regions
Physical regions
Vernacular regions
Semiautonomous regions
- 46. Multiple ChoiceUnited Nations recognition of a state's "exclusive economic zone" allows the state toestablish economic free trade zones within the sovereign territory of other statesclaim national economic jurisdiction over 200 nautical miles of water extending from its coastlimit importation of competitive goods and services from other countriesprotect domestic production by imposing tariffs on all foreign-made productsform limited economic alliances with other countries
- 47. Multiple Choice
The examples in the table show states that gained or lost United States House of Representatives districts based on 2010 census data. The states were required to revise district boundaries based on census data. Using the data in the table and the description, which of the following identifies the scales of analysis that are reflected in this redistricting?
Member state representation in a supranational legislature
Local representation in the state legislature
State representation in the regional legislature
Local representation in the national legislature
Local representation in the regional legislature
- 48. Multiple Choice
Which of the following possible political effects is implied by the data in the table?
The country’s high level of economic development acts as a centripetal force holding the state together.
The high level of economic difference between the regions in Italy acts as a devolutionary force.
The low level of economic difference between regions in Italy acts as a centripetal force holding the state together.
The low level of economic difference between regions in Italy promotes devolutionary movements in some parts of Italy.
The country’s low level of economic development promotes centrifugal forces tearing the state apart.
- 49. Multiple Choice
In 1982 the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) established freedom-of-navigation rights and defined territorial waters as a 12-nautical-mile limit from the coast where individual states have political and economic sovereignty. However, Greece and Turkey still only claim a 6-nautical-mile territorial sea. If Greece and Turkey adopted the UNCLOS system and expanded their territorial seas to 12 nautical miles, as shown in Map 2, which of the following scenarios best explains the resulting geographic pattern?
Greece would be required to guarantee the right of passage for ships transiting from the Dardanelles to the Mediterranean Sea.
International ships transiting from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea would only be able to sail in Turkey’s coastal waters.
Black Sea countries like Bulgaria would have to ship goods by land through Europe or Russia to participate in international trade.
Greece would only guarantee right of passage to ships from other European Union countries due to the open border policy.
Turkey would be forced to join the European Union in order to participate in international trade and benefit from the open border policy.
- 50. Multiple Choice
Based on the information in the map, what is the most likely outcome of the possible establishment of an independent Kurdistan for the Kurdish people?
The state of Turkey, seeking to connect areas with a substantial Kurdish population into an independent state, might take action against neighboring states.
The Kurdish people, seeking a state of their own with a majority Kurdish population, might secede from or rebel against the states labeled on the map.
The Kurdish people would have to migrate into a single country to gain a population majority and would struggle for control of the government.
In areas with a Kurdish majority population, Kurdish people are politically active among Turks, Iranians, Iraqis, and Syrians and would be able to win an election on a national vote to secede.
The countries shown on the map will cooperate and work together to address the political situation and needs of people in areas with a substantial Kurdish population.
- 51. Multiple Choice
Examining the countries shown in white on the map of the former Yugoslavia, which of the following explains why the area would be referred to as a shatterbelt region?
The countries comprise a strategically positioned area and have unstable national governments.
The countries have an open-border policy and have abolished all passport and customs controls along their shared political boundaries.
The countries comprise a multiethnic culture region and have strong federal governments.
The countries are outside of the European Union but are inside of the European continent.
The countries are former communist states and remain allied with the Russia.
- 52. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following is an example of a shatterbelt region?Eastern EuropeWestern EuropeSiberiaSouth AmericaSouthern Africa
- 53. Multiple Choice
Owing to their localized geography or their locations on islands or peninsulas, many small political entities such as those labeled on the political map of the world can be identified as
federal states
autonomous republics
multistate nations
nation-states
colonial territories
- 54. Multiple Choice
What do the states represented above have in common?
They are all federal states.
They are all formerly communist states.
They are all mega states.
They are all unitary states.
They are all ethnic states.
- 55. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following is an example of a superimposed boundary?The geometric boundary between the United States and CanadaThe border of the European UnionThe Pyrenees Mountains between France and SpainThe geometric boundary between Iraq and Saudi ArabiaThe Great Wall of China
- 56. Multiple Choice
In 1982 the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) established freedom-of-navigation rights and defined territorial waters as a 12-nautical-mile limit from the coast where individual states have political and economic sovereignty. However, Greece and Turkey still only claim a 6-nautical-mile territorial sea. If Greece and Turkey adopted the UNCLOS system and expanded their territorial seas to 12 nautical miles, as shown in Map 2, which of the following would be true for a Turkish-owned oil tanker sailing into Greek territorial waters?
The ship and its cargo would be confiscated for violating a United Nations treaty.
The ship could be sunk by the Greek Navy for entering Greece’s territorial waters.
The ship would be charged tolls for sailing through Greek canals and internal waterways.
The ship would be ordered by a Greek naval blockade to turn away as it is considered a threat.
The ship could be stopped by Greece’s Coast Guard for safety and environmental inspections.
- 57. Multiple ChoiceThe Berlin Wall fell in 1989, but people in the former East and West Germany still feel its influence. Geographers would say that where the wall once stood now acts as asuperimposed boundaryrelict boundaryfortified boundaryantecedent boundarynatural boundary
- 58. Multiple ChoiceWhich of the following is NOT part of the definition of a state?A common languageAn organized economy and circulation systemPolitical sovereigntyA permanent resident populationDefined boundaries
- 59. Multiple ChoiceThe European Union is an example ofsupranationalismnationalisma fragmented statea unitary statea nation-state
- 60. Multiple Choice
Which of the following best explains the political pattern shown in the table?
The devolution of Yugoslavia occurred primarily along national lines, resulting in countries with a defined ethnic majority.
The breakup of Yugoslavia was the result of a civil war in which ethnic groups fought for control of the capital of Belgrade in Serbia.
The Balkanization of Yugoslavia resulted in the formation of new ethnic nationalities divided by differences in religion and language.
The dissolution of Yugoslavia resulted in some ethnic groups being aligned with capitalist Western Europe and others being aligned with communist Eastern Europe.
The downfall of Yugoslavia was a case of ethnic differences becoming a centripetal force in the formation of a multistate nation.
- Answer choicesTagsAnswer choicesTags