Geographic Regions
Represent great clusters of common human activity or common physical characteristics Physical / Natural Characteristics
▪ Landforms, Climate, Vegetation Human / Cultural Characteristics
▪ Language, Religion, Ethnicity, Population, Disease
May change over time Do not have definite borders May differ based on point of view Separated from other regions by
transition zones
Transition Zones Edges of regions An area of spatial change where two adjacent
regions join Marked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp
break) in the characteristics that distinguish neighboring regions
Area of mixed characteristics; possible tension between culture groups
Sub - Regions All regions can be divided into sub-regions
Example: United States’ sub-regions may include: ▪ Northeast, Midwest, South, North, West Coast▪ Metropolitan and Suburban areas▪ Physical Regions (Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes)
▪ Texas Example: Hill Country, Piney Woods, West Texas, The Valley, Coast, East Texas, Panhandle
Region and sub-region boundaries are based on criteria we establish
What is Government?
An organization that people set up to protect their community and to enforce its rules
Roles of the government: To protect lives To protect liberties To protect property
of members of the community
To provide services that the people cannot provide on their own
What kinds of borders? Political Borders –
determined by govt. and are artificial (imaginary lines)
Example: North and South Korea
Natural Borders –created by physical features that divide one place from another
Example: Rio Grande River (Mexico and US)
What are nations and states?
State – an independent unit that occupies a specific territory and has full control of its internal and external affairs Sometimes called “country”
Nation – people w/ a common culture living in a common territory and having a strong sense of unity
Nation State – when a nation and a state occupy the same territory
Stateless Nation - some groups have a common nationality but no territory Palestinians, Kurds
Monarchy Ruled by a family headed by a
King or Queen The ruler inherits their power -
when the ruler dies, power is passed to one of the monarch’s children or close relative
These monarchs (kings, sultans, emperors) surround themselves with followers and advisors who help them govern
Pros – Stability Cons – Limits on Power
Constitutional Monarchy Monarchs share power
with an elected legislature Parliament
Usually the monarch serves as the symbolic head of state while elected members of Parliament govern the country
Example: United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Qaboos Bin Said Al Said – Sultan of Oman
Mswati III of Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarch in the world.
Imperial household of Japan (ko shitsu) oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. Akihito.
Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad ‑Al Jaber Al Sabah. ‑ ‑ Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy
Cambodia Sihamoni‑ Cambodia is a constitutional
monarchy
Queen Elizabeth - United Kingdom-constitutional monarchy
Republic
A republic is a government without a king or a queen.• Usually when a country overturns its
monarchy it will become a republic.• Republics can be democratic, theocratic, or
parliamentary.• An example would be the United States,
which is a Democratic Republic
DemocracyGovernment authority is based on the will of the
people. • People either vote on issues directly, or they
elect representatives who make government decisions for them.
• People have certain rights – whereas they can criticize the government freely.
Direct Democracy Representative Democracy Modern Democracies
Direct Democracy The very first known
democracy was in ancient Greece in the 5th c BCE.• Democracy is Greek
for “people-power.”• Citizens assembled to
make decisions for their city-states.
• They voted on these issues directly. This is where the term direct-democracy evolved from.
Representative Democracy
It is a democracy where different social groups elected their own representatives, who then met in assemblies.• Nobles were represented
in the Senate• Government power was
divided between two branches and voting was on various issues.
• Romans were the first to develop the representative democracy.
Dictatorship
One individual holds complete political power
The leader either seizes control by force or is placed into a position of authority by others
the citizens have no influence over governmental policy and do not have the right to choose their own leaders
If a small group holds the power, called an “oligarchy”
Pros – easy, quick to makes big changes
Cons – corruption, dissent is not allowed
Totalitarianism A form of dictatorship that seeks to
control all aspects of social life within a country• This control extends to the police,
military, communications, economy and education system.
• Government also controls television, radio, and newspapers.• Censorship of books and articles that
criticize the government No separate political parties, labor
unions, or other organizations are allowed.
Government either controls or prohibits all churches and religious groups.
Countries marked in dark colors are authoritarian, and most often dictatorships. Most of current dictatorships are in Africa
and Asia.
Communism
• the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power
• the elimination of private ownership of property or capital
Example: Cuba, People’s Republic of China, North Korea
• Pros – Classless Society• Cons – lack of Freedom
Theocracy• Government run by
religious leaders. It is an old form of government, like a monarchy.
Government claims to be directed by God or divinely blessed.
No legal separation between church and state
Citizens of other faiths are often excluded or expelled.
Ancient times rulers were often priests.
Pharaohs of ancient Egypt were believed to be
gods.
Examples of Theocracy throughout history.
The Byzantine Empire was ruled by an emperor who was also head of
the church.
In the Middle Ages, the head of the Catholic Church, the
Pope, ruled extensive territories in Italy.
In early colonial times, Puritan ministers helped govern Massachusetts.
Iran, has both a theocratic and
democratic government. The
President and representatives are elected but
are controlled by the Supreme
Leader.
The Supreme Leader is an Islamic cleric
appointed for life.
“Anarchy” or “Failed State”
• Nobody in charge, only gangs and warlords.• Fueled by drugs or desire to control resources. • Happens when a country collapses.• Example: Somalia, parts of West Africa
Video: Write down 5 NEW things you learn or find interesting as we celebrate our rights and freedom using the following:
The United States Bill of Rightshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8JClfNVhug
1 Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2 Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.
3 No quartering of soldiers.4 Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.5 Right to due process of law, freedom from self-
incrimination, double jeopardy.6 Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and
public trial.7 Right of trial by jury in civil cases. 8 Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual
punishments.9 Other rights of the people.
10 Powers reserved to the states.