Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What is an exclave?

1. A piece of territory that is part of its surrounding country

2. A territory that is completely surrounded by another country

3. A region that is divided by borders

4. A geographical area that belongs to multiple nations

The correct answer is: A territory that is completely surrounded by another country

An exclave is defined as a territory that is geographically separated from the main part of the country to which it belongs, and it is completely surrounded by another country or territory. This means that while the exclave is politically and administratively part of its parent nation, it is physically detached from the rest of that nation, making access to it potentially complicated, especially if the surrounding nation does not permit passage. The other options do not accurately capture the essence of what an exclave is. For instance, stating that a piece of territory is part of its surrounding country contradicts the definition, as an exclave must be part of a country while being entirely surrounded by another. The idea of a region divided by borders does not specifically address the concept of being separated from the main territory. Lastly, a geographical area that belongs to multiple nations describes a situation such as contested land or regions of overlapping claims but does not denote a singular exclave's isolation from its parent country.