Page 1: Introduction to Political Geography
This page introduces core concepts in political geography, focusing on states, nations, and sovereignty.
Definition: A state is defined as the largest political unit with a defined boundary, permanent population, recognition, and sovereignty.
Vocabulary: Sovereignty refers to the power of a political unit or government to rule over its own affairs.
The page distinguishes between nations and states, introducing the concept of nation-states and multinational states.
Example: A nation-state is exemplified by countries like Japan, where the national and state boundaries largely coincide.
Highlight: The concept of stateless nations, such as the Kurds, is introduced, referring to cultural groups without an independent state.