Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Geography

Climate Classification

Climate refers to the typical weather that a place experiences over many years. Different parts of the world can be described as having dry, wet, hot, or cold climates.

Spain's Diverse Coastal Regions

• Mediterranean Coast & Balearic Islands

  Includes the coastline from Cape of Creus to the Strait of Gibraltar.

• Cantabrian Coast (North)

  Located along the northern edge of the peninsula.

• Atlantic Coast (West)

  This Atlantic sector has two parts: Galician and Andalusian.

• Canary Islands Coastline

  Features a variety of coastlines with beaches and cliffs.

Prominent Mountain Ranges of Spain

Major External Mountain Systems

• The Pyrenees

  Located between Spain, Andorra, and France, featuring Mount Aneto.

• Basque Mountains

  Low mountains that connect the Cantabrian Mountain Range with the Pyrenees.

• Catalan Coastal Range

  Located in front of the Mediterranean Sea.

• Betic Systems: Penibetic & Subbetic

  Located in the southeast of the peninsula,

The Aztecs

The Aztecs arrived to the valley of Mexico around the year 1218. They took refuge on the marshy lands around Lake Texcoco, where, in 1344 or 1345 they built the town of Tenochtitlan. At this time the Aztec community was composed of a small number of kinship, landholding groups called calpulli.

Aztec Imperial Expansion

For a long time the Aztec were subservient to the Azcopotzalco. But in 1428 the Aztec war chief Itzcoatl, the Texcoco and the Tlacopan joined forces to destroy the Azcopotzalco. This triple alliance led to the conquest of the valley of Mexico and much of Middle America. Gradually the Aztec got stronger than their allies. The conquest of the Valley of Mexico made it easier for the Aztecs to conquer the rest of Middle America... Continue reading "The Aztecs: History, Expansion, and Society" »

Improvements in 19th Century Living Conditions

• Enhanced Nutrition

  Nutrition improved, making the population more resistant to illness. This was possible thanks to advances in agriculture and changes in people's diets. Corn and potatoes became staple foods.

• Public Health Advancements

  In 1796, Edward Jenner discovered the vaccine for smallpox, a disease with a high mortality rate. New hospitals were also built during this period.

• Personal and Public Hygiene

  People began to wear cotton clothes, which were easier to wash. There was better access to clean drinking water.

• Decline in Epidemics

  Frequent in the Early Modern period, epidemics began to cause fewer deaths.

19th Century Social Classes

• The Peasantry

  In the 19th century, the majority of the population

Chapter 7: The Sub-Saharan African Realm

1. Geography

Africa: 11.6m sq. miles, USA: 3.6m sq. miles

Physical Geography: continentality, rift valleys, plateau continent

Climate: A-Tropical, Af-Rainforest, Am-Monsoon, Aw-Savanna, B-Dry, BW-Desert, BS-Steppe, C-Mesothermal/Temperate, Csa/Csb-Mediterranean, Cfa-Humid Subtropical, Cfb-Marine West Coast

2. Agriculture

Since 1960’s, population growth: 3%/yr, food production: 2%/yr

Main crop: maize/corn

Labor force in agriculture: most countries 60-90%

3. Colonization and Religion

British & French colonization, no formal colonization of Ethopia

Multiple languages and several language families

Madagascar: Malay/rice, Lingua franca: English & French, Christianity & Animism, Islam

4. Population

Sub-Saharan... Continue reading "Sub-Saharan African Realm: Geography, Population, and Economy" »

Past and Current Demographic Models

• The Preindustrial Model

  This model has high birth and death rates because the population is weakened by disease, epidemics, and famine.

• The Modern or Demographic Transition Model

  This model originated in the Industrial Revolution and spread worldwide during the 19th century.

  1. The first phase has strong population growth as a result of natural increase. Birth rates are high, and death rates fall rapidly.

  2. In the intermediate phase, natural increase slows down. Death rates remain low, but birth rates begin to fall.

  3. In the final phase, the population stagnates, or there is very slow growth. Both birth and death rates are very low, and the tendency is toward zero growth.

The Territorial Organization of Spain

Main Institutions

SECONDARY SECTOR

Industry Overview

The secondary sector encompasses all activities that transform raw materials into finished goods. This sector plays a crucial role in economic development, as industrialization drives growth and prosperity. Developed countries typically have well-established industrial networks.

Types of Industries

Industries can be categorized based on their level of technological advancement and the intended use of their products.

1. By Degree of Innovation:

• Mature Industries: These industries, such as textiles, steel, and shipbuilding, emerged during the 18th and 19th centuries and utilize established technologies.
• Advanced Industries: Industries like biotechnology, microelectronics, telecommunications, and robotics represent

The early modern age began in 1453 with the fall of Constantinople and ended with the French Revolution in 1789. However, by the end of the previous era, many important social, economic, political, and cultural changes were already taking place.

Monarchs had more resources, so they became more powerful and were able to reform existing institutions and create new ones. Their main objectives were to consolidate their authority, control the power of the nobility, and administer the kingdom's resources more effectively.

They formed powerful armies of mercenaries to subdue the nobles who confronted them. They strengthened bureaucracy, which was composed of officials directly under their control who supervised the kingdom's affairs. They centralized... Continue reading "The Early Modern Age: Social, Economic, and Political Changes" »

Another Africa

English Goes West Across the Atlantic…But It Is Not Alone on the Trip

The Mayflower was the Pilgrim ship that in 1620 made the historic voyage from England to the New World. The ship carried 102 passengers in two core groups – religious Separatists coming from Holland and a largely non-religious settler group from London.

In Canada there was a British community that spoke English and a French community that spoke French. In Caribbean there were French, Spanish, Dutch and English people.

A Commercial Empire

• English colonial ventures were mostly conducted by private commercial companies.
• Famous companies involved in the British settlement in North America include:

1. The Virginia Company of London.
2. The Plymouth Company.
3. The Hudson’s Bay Company.
4. The