Határképz

Határképz is a term used in Hungarian-language scholarship to denote the process by which political borders are defined, negotiated, and anchored. It encompasses legal, cartographic, and on-the-ground activities, as well as the social and symbolic dimensions by which borders are perceived and experienced.

The term is often described as a shortened or variant form of határképzés, with the concept appearing in geography, political science, and history. It covers both formal procedures, such as treaty-based delimitation, and practical steps, such as surveying, mapping, and the placement of border markers. The social aspect considers how communities, minorities, and cross-border actors interact with and respond to changing boundaries.

Core components of határképz include delimitation (the legal definition of a border through agreements), demarcation (the physical marking of the border on the landscape), and the technical work of surveying and cartography. Modern practice frequently involves geospatial technologies, international law, and cooperation frameworks, alongside traditional fieldwork and negotiation between states.

Contexts in which határképz is discussed include post-conflict boundary settlements, territorial disputes, and regional integration projects. The process influences sovereignty, security, minority rights, trade, and cross-border cooperation. It also raises questions about identity, memory, and legitimacy in contested or newly formed borders.

See also: border studies, boundary delimitation, border demarcation, border security.