Narration

This narrative is an edited version of an essay by Alexander B. Murphy, Department of Geography, University of Oregon. For the complete article, see the Journal of Geography, May-August 2000, Vol. 99, No. 3/4.

Students should understand the different approaches to territorial governance involved in federal and unitary systems. In addition, they should consider hierarchies of the political-territorial organization, from municipalities and special districts, to counties, states, provinces, and the state itself. In each case, it is important to go beyond the simple presence of political territories to consider the ways in which the political organization of space influences the distribution of power and opportunity. It is important to describe territorial arrangements that may not fit within the usual hierarchy of political-territorial governance, such as Indian reservations in the United States. Such territorial structures reflect the tension between the dominant political pattern and influences that can be antithetical to it.

Electoral maps should also be discussed and analyzed. Such maps are widely used not just to show who has won and lost elections, but also to illustrate patterns of support for different candidates and issues. These maps allow students to consider relationships among political and cultural patterns. Discussion of formal political-territorial arrangements should include geographical influences on internal political integration, such as the impacts of the territorial shape (elongated, fragmented, or prorupted forms) and geographical situation of countries (landlocked). Students should understand that territorial shape and situation are but two of many influences between geography and politics.

Web Sites

To view the following Web sites, please go to "See also" below.

The Teachers' Corner contains links to suggested Web sites. The College Board neither endorses, controls the content of, nor reviews the external Web sites included here. Please note that following links to external Web sites will open a new browser window. If you discover a link that does not work, please let us know by sending an e-mail to apctechsupport@collegeboard.org.

Center for Voting and Democracy
The Center for Voting and Democracy researches the ways voting systems affect participation, representation, and governance. You may find the subtopic links useful.

Contiguous State Borders of the U.S.A.
This animated graphic displays the growth of the states in the contiguous U.S.A.

Elections Around the World
This site offers up-to-date summaries of elections around the world. Click on the alphabet to choose a country, or "Latest Results" to view the most recent election results.

Election Guide (world)
This excellent site from the International Foundation for Election Systems has a table of names and flags of many of the countries that held elections from 1998 through 2001. Select a flag and name to access information about the politics of that country. ElectionGuide.Org provides an election calendar; CNN/IFES ElectionWatch information about electoral structures, parties, candidates, and previous elections; Cambridge FactFinder's country information; links to country election authorities; summaries of election results; data on voter turnout; and real-time results. It also offers selective links to the best information on each election.

Territorial Maps of the U.S.A.
Choose from a menu of dates to view U.S. Territorial Maps from 1775 through 1920. One map is an overview.

U.S. County Animated Evolution Map: 1650-1990
Animated graphic that shows the boundaries of counties starting in 1650. Ten-year jumps begin with 1790.