The Rimland Theory was proposed by which geographer?

• A. Nicholas Spykman
• B. Halford Mackinder
• C. Von Thunen
• D. Boserup

Answer: (A)

The Rimland Theory holds that power in global geopolitics comes from controlling the coastal fringe of Eurasia—the rim around the continent. These coastal areas include Europe’s coast, the Middle East, and South and East Asia, where dense populations, abundant resources, and crucial sea routes converge. By dominating these regions, a state can project naval power, control trade chokepoints, and effectively encircle the interior heartland, limiting any rival’s ability to dominate Eurasia. This idea was proposed by Nicholas Spykman.

This contrasts with Halford Mackinder’s Heartland Theory, which stressed controlling the interior of Eurasia rather than its coastal margins. The other two figures are linked to different concepts: Von Thunen developed a land-use model around a city, and Boserup focused on how population pressure drives agricultural change.