A border established before significant settlement of an area occurs is known as one type of political demarcation. These lines are frequently based on natural features or geometric patterns, and their placement predates the development of a cultural landscape. An example of this could be the border between Malaysia and Indonesia on the island of Borneo, where the division largely follows sparsely populated rainforest terrain.
The significance of such a line lies in its relative stability over time. Because it predates cultural or political pressures, it is less likely to be contested as populations grow and interact. This can contribute to long-term geopolitical stability in the region. Its historical context is rooted in early exploration and land claims when precise demographic data was unavailable, forcing reliance on readily identifiable geographic features.
