The Heartland Theory is a geopolitical concept which suggests that the land-based power, not sea power, is the key to world dominance. It was proposed by Halford Mackinder in 1904.
Think of the world as a giant game of Risk. According to the Heartland Theory, controlling Eastern Europe (the "heartland") is like holding the strongest position on the board - it gives you an advantage over all other players and makes you more likely to win.
Halford Mackinder: Halford Mackinder was a British geographer known for developing theories about geopolitics including his most famous one, the Heartland Theory.
Geopolitics: This term refers to how geographical features and resources influence politics and international relations. It's like how a mountain range or river might affect where borders are drawn on a map.
World Island: This term refers to Mackinder's idea of Eurasia and Africa combined. In his view, this massive landmass held strategic importance for global dominance.
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