2. The boundaries of a country and the shape of the land that it encompasses can
present problems for a country, or it can help to unify a country. Each shape has
advantages that will affect every part of the country, as well as disadvantages.
The shape of most countries can be divided into five main categories:
Compact, Prorupted, Perforated, Fragmented, and Elongated.
3. Compact
• A compact shaped country is small and
centralized, hence the term “compact”.
• This type of shape seems to be the easiest
to manage, based on the close proximity of
the government to the rest of the country.
6. Advantages/Disadvantages
of A Compact Country
• Good Communication • Fewer amounts of
between the federal resources due to the
government and the smaller land size.
local leaders.
• Compact countries are
• Much easier to defend in more likely to experience
civil wars & ethnic
times of war(small
borders and small area rivalries. (ex. Rwanda)
to cover).
• Lack of respect that some
larger countries
experience.
7. Prorupted Countries
• A prorupted state has a long
extension, or an extended arm of
territory.
8. Thailand
Thailand is approximately
198,455 square miles. (2,000
miles of coastline).
It is about twice the size of
Wyoming.
9. The Caprivi
Strip
(Namibia)
Namibia is approximately 318,259
square miles, and the Caprivi Strip
connects it to Zambia and
Zimbabwe.
Namibia is about half the size of
Alaska.
10. Advantages / Disadvantages of A
Prorupted Country
• Easy access to the coast and • Prorupted countries can
the local resources around disrupt communications
it. between different regions.
ex. Thailand. (Bangkok and
• More of a chance to have Hat Tai).
resources due to the
extended arm as well as the • Runs the risk of the
lengthy coast line. elongated arm being
ostracized from the rest of
• Also helpful in preventing the country, or potentially
taken over forcibly by a rival
rival countries access to
resources and land use. country.
12. South Africa
(Lesotho)
South Africa is approximately
471,008 square miles, with
the nation of Lesotho
directly inside of South
Africa’s area. Lesotho is
about 11,718 square miles.
13. Italy
(Vatican
City)
Italy is approximately 116,304
square miles, with the Vatican
City directly inside of its area.
Vatican City is about 0.2 square
miles.
14. Advantages/Disadvantages of A
Perforated Country
• The Perforated Country • Possible conflicts
gains economic control between internal state
of the internal state. and perforated country
could lead to travel/
• Possibility of gaining an financial issues for
internal state.
ally in times of war.
• Brings money and travel • Internal country is
into the Perforated landlocked inside the
Country, due to the Perforated country.
internal state. (Italy,
Vatican City). • Resources.
15. Fragmented
• A state that is separated by a physical or human
barrier such as oceans, lakes or mountains.
16. Indonesia
The Republic of Indonesia
consists of five large islands and
13,677 smaller islands (about
6,000 of which are inhabited). It
is approximately 741,100
square miles.
17. Advantages / Disadvantages of
a Fragmented Country
• Fragmented countries • Possibility of a lack of
are difficult to concur communication between
because of the multiple the different segments.
areas that are in
possession of the one
government. It would at
• Rebellions in segments
that are farther from the
best be a slow process. capitol could be
effective.
• More area covered
means more resources
for the country.
18. Elongated
• An elongated country is one that is long
and narrow.
19. Chile
Chile is approximately 292,258
square miles, with a coastline
of about 3,998 miles.
Chile is twice the size of
California.
20. Gambia
• Gambia is approximately 4,361 square
miles, and runs along the River Gambia
which is one of the main waterways in
West Africa. The river is the reason for its
elongation.
21. Advantages / Disadvantages of
an Elongated Country
• Encompasses a large • An elongated country
area of and variety of makes for difficult
landscapes; adds governance of the
biodiversity and more peripheral areas in the
resources. north and south.
• Military advantages; • Communications from
Chile is hemmed in by the capitol to the rest of
the Andes, so they the country are make
provide a natural barrier. difficult due to the
distance and possible
natural barriers.
22. Enclaves and
Exclaves
• Enclave: A country or
part of a country that is
surrounded by another.
Ex.Vatican City.
• Exclave: part of a
country that is or
almost completely
separated from the main
land of the country. Ex.
Alaska or Hawaii.
