What is the difference between a Natural boundary and a political boundary? Give examples of each.

A natural boundary something which separates things or places and is caused by geographic or physical items. A political boundary is a line on a map that separates countries from each other or states within each country.

Yes, you're right. Natural boundaries include the Rio Grande River between the U.S. and Mexico. Also -- the St. Lawrence River between the U.S. and Canada and the Mississippi River between many pairs of states.

Political boundaries are usually straight lines.

To understand the difference between a natural boundary and a political boundary, we need to look at their definitions and examples.

A natural boundary refers to a boundary that is formed by natural geographic or physical features such as rivers, mountains, deserts, or oceans. These features act as natural barriers, marking the separation between two areas. Natural boundaries are typically not man-made but rather exist due to the geographical characteristics of the land. Examples of natural boundaries include:

1. The Rio Grande: This river forms a natural boundary between the United States and Mexico.
2. The Himalayan Mountains: They serve as a natural boundary between several countries including India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan.

On the other hand, a political boundary is a line drawn on a map to separate countries or subdivisions within a country based on political or administrative divisions. Political boundaries are determined by human action and can change over time due to political, historical, or cultural factors. Examples of political boundaries include:

1. The border between the United States and Canada: This line separates the two nations politically.
2. The state borders within India: These boundaries divide the country into different states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.

To summarize, natural boundaries are formed by physical features, while political boundaries are created through human decisions and agreements. Natural boundaries tend to be more permanent, whereas political boundaries can be subject to change based on political factors and historical events.