Borders and Boundaries Borders are boundaries between states

Borders and Boundaries

• Borders are boundaries between states or countries • Borders can be physical features such as mountains, rivers, oceans. These are natural borders. • Borders can also be political agreements. • Borders can change. For example, after a war, a country may lose land or a country may gain land, and the borders will change.

State Borders Identify the borders of California. Identify the borders of Texas. Identify the borders of Minnesota.

Other borders within a state – States are divided into counties and cities. Do you know how many counties there are in Texas?

Each level of government has its own boundaries.

Functions of Government Governor is the leader Collects taxes Provides fire dept. Builds highways US Security President is the leader Mayor is the leader Collects taxes Provides an army Public libraries Collects taxes Prints money School districts

Boundaries change. How many countries were former Soviet Republics?

Ukraine has been in the news this week. Why is Ukraine and its borders significant to Russia?

West and East Germany united into one Germany in 1994

America’s borders were set by purchase, conquest and geography.

Political maps show boundaries

• Governments generally set up clear boundaries and exercise power within these boundaries, creating political units. • Political maps show political units, such as countries and their borders or states and their counties. • Political power is distributed spatially within a political region or unit. • A nation's power affects international trade. Important Ideas