The nobles has their peasants fight for them. At about 1100 AD a handful of powerful kings began to consolidate power over several of these estates, forming the basis of the modern European state. This time saw the beginnings of England, France, and Spain. IN central Europe Germany and Italy remained fragmented. We've been talking about certain geographic characteristics of states.
Every state has geographic characteristics that separate it from all other states.
These factors combine to distinguish each state from al others. They also affect the power and unity and stability of a state. An easy assumption is that the larger the state, the more likely it is to have mnerals, energy supplies, fertile soil, etc.,from which it can benefit. Generally that's true, but much depends upon the accident of location. Australia, Canada, Russia are all huge but they have relatively small areas capable of producing agriculture, so great size can be a disadvantage.