Do Now:

• Map quiz

Aim: How are boundaries established, and why do

boundary disputes occur?

How Are Boundaries Established, and Why Do

Boundary Disputes Occur?• A boundary between states is actually a vertical

plane that cuts through the rocks below (called the subsoil) and the airspace above, dividing one state from another (Fig. 8.18).

• Only where the vertical plane intersects the Earth’s surface (on land or at sea) does it form the line we see on the ground.

The Vertical Plane of a Political Boundary

Boundaries Above Ground

• Airspace: is defined by the atmosphere above its land area as marked by boundaries as well as what lies beyond at higher altitudes.

• States insist on controlling the airline traffic over their territories.

• States do not control the paths of satellite orbits.

• States define boundaries in a treaty like legal document where actual points in the landscape with latitude and longitude coordinates are described.

• Cartographers delimit the boundary by drawing it on a map.• Demarcated: Can put markers or fences to show the boundary.• Over large boundaries it is to expensive to demarcate them.• Use demarcation as means to control who and what crosses the

border.

Establishing Boundaries

• Geometric boundaries are drawn using grid systems such as latitude and longitude or township and range

• Ex: US and Canada use a line of latitude west of the great lakes as their boundary.

• Physical-political boundaries follow an agreed upon figure in the natural landscape

• EX: Rio Grande between the US and Mexico.• EX: Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France.• Ex: 4/5 Great lakes are borders between the US and

Canada.

Types of Boundaries

7

Types of Boundaries(cont.)• Boundaries: Set The Spatial Limits of the State & replaced former

frontier zones• Classification of Boundaries

– Natural or physical boundaries – often make poor boundaries• Mountains: rarely total barriers to interaction • Rivers: constantly shifting the course – usually gradually

– Geometric boundaries (artificial)--easily delimited and demarcated• Antecedent – draw before area populated & cultural landscape is set• Subsequent – after settlement & development of cultural landscape• Consequent (subsequent) – drawn to accommodate differences• Superimposed – forced upon the cultural landscape (1948 – Israel)• Relic – no longer functions but still marks a transition

• Definitional boundary disputes focus on the legal language of the boundary agreement.

• Locational boundary disputes center on the delimitation and possibly the demarcation of the boundary. The definition is not in dispute, but its interpretation is.

• Operational boundary disputes involve neighbors who differ over the way their border should function.

• Allocational boundary disputes are becoming more common as the search for resources intensifies.

Boundary Disputes

9

• Position disputes – disagree to interpretation of the boundary treaty – Chile/Argentina in S. Andes

• Territorial disputes – over ownership of territory– Irredentism – land that was formerly part of another

state with which there are ethnic ties• Resource disputes – Kuwait & Iraq• Functional disputes – disagreement over policies to

apply to border – Mexico & U.S.A. over illegal aliens crossing into the U.S.A

Boundary Disputes

10

In the 1970s, Somalia claimed the eastern

part of Ethiopia, Ogaden, because it is peopled primarily by

Somalis. Unsuccessful guerrilla

fighting continued until 1988 creating

more than 1mil. refugees in Somalia.

11

Motivation for Iraq’s Invasion of

Kuwait –1. Dispute of withdrawals

from the oil field2. Claim of Pre-British

ownership3. Desire for better access

to the Persian Gulf

Terribl

eMuch

Better

People used to think physical-political boundaries were always more stable than geometric boundaries. Through studies of many places, political geographers have confirmed that this idea is false. Construct your own argument explaining why physical-political boundaries can create just as much instability as geometric boundaries.