Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

Which term refers to the recognized exercise of a country's power over its people and territory?

1. Autonomy

2. Sovereignty

3. Independence

4. Territoriality

The correct answer is: Sovereignty

The term that denotes the recognized exercise of a country's power over its people and territory is sovereignty. Sovereignty encompasses the authority of a state to govern itself, make its own laws, and conduct relations with other states without external interference. This concept is fundamental in international relations, as it affirms a state's right to exist independently and ensures its control over domestic and foreign affairs. Autonomy refers to the degree of self-government that a region or group may have within a larger political entity, but it does not equate to the full power and recognition that sovereignty entails. Independence typically suggests a state or group has separated from another governing authority but lacks the broader recognition involved in sovereignty. Territoriality is the expression of control over a specific area or space, yet it does not fully capture the legal recognition and political power that sovereignty provides. Therefore, sovereignty is the precise term that reflects a state's comprehensive authority over its territory and population.