Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for Geography for Baccalaureate

Setting Up a Multinational Branch

When establishing a branch of a multinational company, several critical factors are considered:

1. Cheap Labor: Access to affordable labor can significantly reduce operational costs.
2. Low Transportation Costs: Proximity to markets or raw materials can minimize logistics expenses.
3. Cheaper Industrial Land: Lower land acquisition or rental costs for industrial facilities.
4. Fiscal Benefits: Favorable tax policies, subsidies, or incentives offered by the host country.
5. Lower Production Costs: Overall reduction in expenses related to manufacturing or service delivery.
6. Favorable Political Circumstances: A stable political environment and supportive government policies.
7. Lower Tax on the Activity: Reduced tax burden on the specific

The Rise of the Dutch Republic

Originally known as Flanders, this region eventually evolved into the United Provinces.

Industrial Innovations and Productivity

The main innovations of this period included advancements in:

• Textile production
• Shipbuilding
• Metallurgy

The Cloth Industry

The Dutch introduced new draperies (lighter and cheaper cloths) and cotton cloths. While mainly local, there was increasing specialization for export. The **putting-out system** was prevalent: merchants purchased raw materials, distributed them to rural spinners who worked at home, and then marketed the final product.

Dutch Shipbuilding Prowess

Between 1500 and 1600, the Dutch fleet expanded tenfold. Their shipbuilding was characterized by mass production, with vessels exported...

Property Tax (IBI) Regulations in Spain

Property Tax (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles or IBI) regulation is detailed in the Law on Local Finances Recast 2004 and in the Real Estate Cadastre Act, also a consolidated text of 2004.

Taxable Event, Taxpayer, and Accrual

The taxable event is holding an interest in the property. The law distinguishes four rights:

1. Administrative concession on the property: the taxpayer shall be the licensee.
2. Surface rights on the property: the taxpayer will have surface rights.
3. Usufruct right over the property: the taxpayer will be the beneficiary.
4. Property rights over the property: the taxpayer will be the owner.

Each taxable event excludes the others. The excluded are those who are behind in this order.

The law distinguishes...

Canary Islands Provinces and Institutions

This thematic description represents the provinces of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, highlighting the geographic division of the Canary archipelago into two provinces. Spain has a total of 44 provinces, among which are the provinces of Las Palmas (capital: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (capital: Santa Cruz de Tenerife). These two provinces comprise the Canary archipelago, which in turn is formed by the islands of El Hierro (capital: Valverde), La Palma (capital: Santa Cruz de la Palma), La Gomera (capital: San Sebastián de la Gomera), Tenerife (capital: Santa Cruz de Tenerife), Gran Canaria (capital: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), Lanzarote (capital: Arrecife), and Fuerteventura...

Industrial Location in Spain

Spanish industries are primarily located in the periphery, with the notable exception of Madrid. This distribution is driven by several factors, including:

• Subsoil wealth in coastal areas.
• High population density.
• Historical industrial planning by state institutions.
• Ease of communication and strategic policy decisions.

Historical Evolution of Industrial Location

Historically, cottage industries were situated in rural areas, as they relied heavily on natural resources, river networks, roads, and ports.

Early Industrialization

At the onset of industrialization, the first major hubs emerged in two areas:

• The Atlantic Coast: Specifically Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya.
• Catalonia: Which exhibited a high level of industrialization.

In Catalonia,...

The Evolution of Spanish External Migration

Decline of Permanent Migration Since 1973

From 1973, permanent migration from Spain to Europe declined significantly. This shift was primarily driven by the economic crisis, which led to rising unemployment in Western European countries. Consequently, many Spanish emigrants returned home. Today, Spanish external migration is predominantly seasonal and temporary.

Consequences of Spanish Migration

External migration has had major demographic, economic, and social consequences for Spain.

Demographic Consequences

• Manifested in the attrition (loss) of the Spanish population and affected its distribution across the territory.

Economic Consequences

The economic consequences were mixed:

• Positive effects: Initially,

Metropolis

Used by geographers and urban sociologists, referring to very large cities that serve as regional capitals and major business centers, whose influence extends over more or less close satellite towns. Within this sphere of influence, American authors apply the term 'metropolitan area', which tends to identify with an area of extra-municipal administrative competence. Depending on circumstances and the geographical structure of the affected urban complex, the metropolitan area corresponds to a cluster, a metropolitan area, or an urban area.

Shanty

Designates spontaneous and uncontrolled urbanization, characterized by crowded areas lacking minimal conditions of hygiene and habitability. Slums are fairly common in the suburbs of large cities...

Mendizábal's Confiscation in Spain

Background: The Madoz Seizure

The Madoz seizure involved the sale of various properties, particularly municipal lands, to members of the Church. In Asturias, long-term leased lands called foros existed, often owned by the Church, with tenants paying rent across generations. A similar system was present in Galicia. The Madoz seizure declared both personal and common lands for sale, including those leased by municipalities to fund services. This practice stemmed from lands granted to municipalities by kings during the Reconquista. Major military orders were located in Andalusia, Extremadura, Valencia, and Murcia. Payment for seized lands involved a 10% upfront payment and the remainder over fourteen years,...

Key Concepts in Economics, Trade, and Tourism

Terciarización (Tertiarization)

This is the process by which the tertiary sector (services) of the economy gains weight relative to the primary and secondary sectors, becoming the main economic driver in terms of both population employment and contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Welfare State

Based on the theories of Keynes, particularly implemented in Europe after World War II, the Welfare State involves the intervention of the government to ensure that the entire population, without exception, receives at least two basic social services: health and education.

Transport and Intermodal Systems

Transport is the activity dedicated to moving people and goods between geographical locations.

Intermodal

Essential Historical Terms and Institutions

Manor Court Functions and Rights

The Manor Court refers to the prerogatives of the lord, a fundamental collection of manorial rights that encompassed political and judicial functions. Owners of manor courts often assumed the functions of the king within their domain.

Social Strata: Feudalism and Old Regime

An Establishment was a stratum of society defined by a common lifestyle or similar social function. Social division responded to the specific criteria of Feudalism and the Old Regime, with each establishment having a distinct role in society.

Crown Lands: Royal Judicial Authority

Lands of the Crown referred to judicial qualifications, meaning places directly under the king's authority. These were courts...