The Map of Earth

The most important single object in the book, the map of earth is the subject of The Revenge of Geography.

Geographical Determinism

Geographical determinism is the view that geographical factors determine the course of history. Kaplan flirts with this view but typically draws back from it modestly.

The Heartland

The "Heartland" is Mackinder's description of the center of the "World-Island" comprised of Europe, Asia and Africa. The "Heartland" stretches from the Volga to the Yangtze and from the Himalayas to the Arctic.

The Rimland

The "Rimland" is Spykman's term for the European coast land, the Arabian-Middle Eastern desert land and the Asiatic monsoon land which holds great importance for naval control of the world.

The World Island

The "World Island" is Mackinder's term for the interlinked continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, the most populated and richest of contiguous land combinations.

The Crisis of Room