Additionally, political boundaries serve an administrative, as well as an economic function. Within countries land is often divided into such administrative entities as provinces, states, counties departments, cantons, etc. In Canada, the division of power between the federal government and provincial governments, is clearly defined by the constitution. Countries such as Canada and the United States, which exercise this style of administration is called a Federation or a Federal State. Unitary states such as France exercise a great deal of central control, while providing its Departments with limited power only.
Boundaries also serve an economic function.
Tariffs or duty are essentially a tax on imported goods which are used to protect domestic manufacturers from foreign competition. Boundaries have also been used at sea as countries such as Canada have increased its offshore territorial boundaries from approximately 3 miles to 200 miles in 1977 in order to protect fish stocks and to control oil and gas deposits off our coast. Changing Boundaries Boundaries have proven to be very dynamic throughout history and they often change due to war, negotiations, migrations, and explorations. This phenomena is still occurring frequently throughout the world. Today some Quebec governmental maps fail to indicate the border between Labrador and Quebec.