政治地理学相关概念_English.docxVIP

政治地理学相关概念Balance of power When a large number of states ranked as great powers of approximately equal strength ,no single state could dominate. Instead ,major powers joined together to form temporary alliances . A condition of roughly equal strength between opposing alliances is known as a balance of power.BoundaryA state is separated from its neighbors by a boundary, an invisible line marking the extent of a state’s territory. Boundaries results from a combination of natural physical features(such as rivers, deserts, and mountains) andcultural features(suchas language and religion).Boundaries completely surround an individual state to mark the outer limits of its territorial control and to give it a distinctive shape. Boundaries interest geographers because the process of selecting their location is frequently difficult. Boundary locations also commonly generate conflict, both within a country and with its neighbors. The boundary line, which must be shared by more than one state, is the only location where direct physical contact must place between two neighboring states. Therefore ,the boundary has the potential to become the focal point of conflict between them.City-state A city states is a sovereign state that comprises a town and the surrounding countryside. Walls clearly delineated the boundaries of the city, and outside the walls the city controlled agricultural land to produce food for urban residents. The countryside also provided the city with an outer line of defense against attack by other city-states. Colonialism European states came to control much of the world through colonialism ,which is the effort by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political, economic, and cultural principles on such territory. European states established colonies elsewhere in the world for three basic reasons:European missionaries established colonies to promote Christianity.Colonies provided resources that helped the economy of European states.European s