Shapes of States

Terms/Concepts• Elongated States• Fragmented States• Prorupted States• Compact States• Landlocked States• Perforated States

Elongated States• Elongated States- a state with a long,

narrow shape– Problems: a region located at extreme

end of the elongation might be isolated from the capital

Fragmented States• Fragmented State- a state

that includes several discontinuous pieces of territory– Technically if there are off shore

islands the state is fragmented– Problems: can lead to lack of

connection between parts of the state

Prorupted States• Prorupted States- an

otherwise compact state with a large projecting extension– Typically done to gain

access to resources or for political reasons

Compact States• Compact States-

where the distance from the center to any boundary does not vary significantly– Benefits: provides

even communication to all regions

Landlocked State• Landlocked States- states

that lack a direct outlet to the sea because it is completely surrounded by other countries– Especially common in sub-

saharan Africa – Problem: reliant on other

states for access to resources and trade

Perforated States• Perforated States-

a state that completely surrounds another– Problem:

completely dependent upon one other country for trade and access to resources

Terms/Concepts• Elongated States• Fragmented States• Prorupted States• Compact States• Landlocked States• Perforated States