The three basic geographic characteristics affect a nation in various
manners. Size affects a nation because a larger nation, such as United
States, China, or Russia, has the potential to be more powerful because
it has more resources and people on which to build military or economic
power. Shape affects a nation due to the fact that the shape of a
country can have an impact on how easily it can be governed, how goods
are moved to all areas of the nation, and how it relates to neighboring
countries. Location also affects a nation because one surrounded by
other land and with no direct outlet to the sea must find means to build
connections to the rest of the world to obtain good in and out of the
country. It must also issue forms of protection and security to ensure
the safety of the nation from hostile neighbors.
