States are like living organisms that grow and need to expand to survive.

Control of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (the Heartland) is key to world power.

If one country falls to communism, neighboring countries will also fall.

Control of the coastal areas of Eurasia (the Rimland) is key to world power.

The world is divided into core (developed) and periphery (less developed) regions, with the core exploiting the periphery.

A feeling of pride and loyalty towards one's nation; can be a unifying or divisive force.

Boundaries reflect power, control, and territoriality; they are not just lines on a map.

Wars, conquests, and treaties redraw borders and create new political entities.

Resource distribution, trade routes, and economic agreements can lead to border changes and new political entities.

Nationalism, independence movements, and cultural shifts can lead to the creation of new states or border changes.

Heartland Theory emphasizes control of Eurasia's interior, while Rimland Theory emphasizes control of its coastal areas.

National boundaries define a country's sovereignty, while subnational boundaries divide power within a country.

A nation is a group of people with shared culture, while a state is a political entity with defined territory and government.

Supranationalism involves states cooperating, while devolution involves power transferring away from the central government.

Core regions are developed and dominate the global economy, while periphery regions are less developed and exploited for resources.

Unitary governments concentrate power in the central government, while federal governments share power between central and regional governments.

Centripetal forces unite a state, while centrifugal forces divide a state.

Historical events are wars and treaties, while social factors are nationalism and independence movements.

Globalization can weaken state control over borders but also lead to cultural homogenization or resistance.

Economic agreements can create new political entities, while cultural shifts can reshape existing states.

The connection between people, their culture, and their claimed territory.

A line defining the limits of a country's sovereignty.

State, provincial, or local boundaries dividing power within a country.

City limits, neighborhoods, or property lines reflecting control over space.

Boundaries demarcating areas with specific legal or regulatory frameworks.

Supreme power or authority; the right of a state to govern itself.

A political entity with a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

A group of people with a shared culture, history, and often language, who feel a sense of unity.

Political, economic, and/or cultural cooperation among three or more states to promote shared objectives.

The transfer of power from a central government to regional or local authorities.