A political boundary defines the geographic location in which a nation may control its territories and resources. For example, the United States controls several territories that are located outside of its boundaries in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Click on each region to learn more.

The United States’ control of these territories varies. Several are independent countries or commonwealths, while others are supported by the United States government. Territorial control such as this exemplifies the impact of physical geographic factors such as the installation of military bases on islands like Guam, which also serves as a strategic military location for the United States. Territorial control can have an impact on human interactions as well. For example, citizens of Puerto Rico also have U.S. citizenship.

In this lesson, you will analyze ways in which human and physical geographic factors create conflict in selected regions of the world. You will also have the opportunity to see how the United Nations impacts international relationships.