Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What type of state is characterized by a rounded shape with a large extension?

1. Compact state

2. Fractured state

3. Prorupt state

4. Island state

The correct answer is: Prorupt state

The correct answer identifies a prorupt state, which is defined by having a significant extension or protrusion that extends from a more compact main body of territory. This unique shape often influences various aspects of the state's geography, including accessibility, resource distribution, and potential political or economic interactions with neighboring regions. Prorupt states typically possess a central area that is usually compact, while the elongated portion can serve strategic purposes such as providing access to resources, creating buffer zones, or facilitating trade routes. For example, a prorupt state might extend toward a coastline, allowing for a port, while the remaining territory surrounds the central region. In contrast, a compact state generally has a more uniform shape, making it easier for governance and communication throughout the territory. A fractured state often consists of several non-contiguous pieces of territory, which can complicate unity and administration. An island state, which is composed entirely of islands, has a completely different characteristic, focusing on isolation and maritime boundaries rather than the shape and extension found in prorupt states.