Superimposed borders are political boundaries that are forcibly imposed on an area by a conquering or colonizing power, without regard for the existing cultural, ethnic, or tribal divisions in the region.
Related terms
Antecedent Boundaries: Antecedent boundaries are political boundaries that were established before an area is heavily populated or settled. They tend to follow natural features such as rivers or mountains.
Subsequent Boundaries: Subsequent boundaries are political boundaries that develop after significant human settlement has already occurred in a region. They often reflect cultural, ethnic, or tribal divisions within the population.
Ethnic Cleansing: Ethnic cleansing refers to the deliberate removal or extermination of an ethnic group from a particular geographic area by another group through violence and intimidation. It can be closely related to superimposed borders as it often involves forcing one culture onto another against their will.