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

Key Concepts of Human Migration

Migration: Migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another, usually across a political or geographical boundary. It can be internal or international.

Immigration: This is the process of entering a country to live there permanently or for a long period of time.

Net Migration Rate: This measures the difference between the number of people entering and the number of people leaving (emigrants).

• Formula: Net Migration Rate = (Immigrants - Emigrants) per 1,000 people.
• If the number is positive, the population increases; if it is negative, people are leaving.

Natural Growth: This refers only to the change caused by births and deaths.

• Formula: Natural Growth = Births - Deaths.
• If births exceed deaths = Positive

Geopolitics as a Material Science

Geopolitics (Kjellen): merge geography and politics into a science on how the ability to control access to resources and to defend national interests creates the material base for a nation's behaviour.

Late 19th to early 20th century: Competition for global power between imperial nations.

Classical geopolitical theorists

Mahan: Naval power is central to projecting power. This influenced U.S. strategy to build global naval bases. Example: bases in Guam, the Caribbean basin, etc.

Ratzel: Darwinian view of a hostile world and struggle for survival.

Mackinder: Focus on geographic benefits or limits to material conditions and transportation technology; the interplay of land power and sea power. The Heartland geostrategic... Continue reading "Geopolitics, Development and the Anthropocene: Power, Food, Energy" »

Review Vocabulary Sets A and B

Legal and Crime Terminology

Review Set A (R V A)

1. offenders
2. behind bars
3. charged with
4. convicted
5. go straight
6. concerned

Review Set B (R V B)

1. offenders
2. convicted
3. enforced
4. defy
5. concerned
6. comply

Environmental and Ecological Terminology

Review Set A (R V A)

1. vast
2. fossil fuel
3. waste
4. eco-friendly
5. hazardous
6. endangered
7. greenhouse effect
8. carbon footprint

Review Set B (R V B)

1. fossil fuels
2. layers
3. thawing
4. crop
5. hazardous
6. average
7. large-scale
8. waste

Phrasal Verbs and Idioms Related to Crime and Ethics

Review Set A (R V A)

1. crack down
2. turn a blind eye
3. caught red-handed
4. daylight robbery
5. objected to

Review Set B (R V B)

1. above-board
2. daylight robbery
3. caught red-handed
4. crack down
5. turn a blind eye

Prepositions and Collocations

Review Set A (R V A)

1. exposed to
2. get rid of
3. consist of
4. provide with
5. objected

The History of Al-Andalus (711–1492)

Al-Andalus was the Muslim state established in the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century. Its borders and government changed significantly over the centuries, primarily due to internal disputes between different groups.

The Conquest of the Iberian Peninsula (711–718)

In 711, a small Muslim group led by Tariq crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and defeated the Visigoths at the Battle of Guadalete. The Visigothic Kingdom was suffering an economic crisis, which facilitated the advance of subsequent Muslim armies. By 722, they controlled almost all the peninsula except a narrow strip in the north where the Hispano-Visigoths took refuge.

After conquering Hispania, the Umayyad Caliph of Damascus established the Emirate... Continue reading "Al-Andalus: Islamic Rule and Medieval Iberian Kingdoms" »

Earth Spheres and Surface Features

• Atmosphere: is the gaseous layer surrounding the Earth.
• Hydrosphere: is the whole set of waters existing on our planet.
• Lithosphere: is the solid outer part of Earth.
• Continents: are large landmasses surrounded by oceans and seas.
• Oceans: are great masses of salt water.
• Equator: the 0° parallel and the great circle dividing the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• Tropic of Cancer: the parallel north of the equator; it crosses parts of Africa and the Americas.
• Tropic of Capricorn: the parallel south of the equator; it crosses parts of South America and southern Africa.
• Map: is the representation of the Earth.
• Scale: maps reflect Earth's surface in a limited way according to a chosen scale.

Map Terms and Map Types

• Topographic

Personality Adjectives

• Caring: Cuidadoso, atento
• Cheeky: Descarado, insolente
• Childish: Infantil
• Helpful: Servicial, útil
• Cooperative: Cooperativo, colaborador
• Critical: Crítico
• Energetic: Enérgico
• Enthusiastic: Entusiasta
• Hardworking: Trabajador, diligente
• Irritating: Irritante
• Mature: Maduro
• Organised: Organizado
• Patient: Paciente
• Reliable: Confiable, fiable
• Responsible: Responsable
• Self-confident: Seguro de sí mismo
• Sensitive: Sensible
• Sympathetic: Comprensivo, empático
• Thoughtful: Reflexivo, considerado

Common Phrasal Verbs and Expressions

1. Take up
2. Have a go
3. Turn up
4. Get used to
5. Pick something up
6. Take risks
7. Take part
8. Keep a promise

Descriptive Adjectives

• Astonishing: Asombroso
• Competitive: Competitivo
• Delightful: Encantador
• Demanding: Exigente
• Depressing: Deprimente
• Dreadful:

The Neolithic Revolution and the Origins of Agriculture

Agriculture emerged between 10,000 and 8,000 BC, marking a transformative period known as the Neolithic Revolution. This era involved the domestication of wild plants and animals. Agriculture, livestock, and fisheries became the primary sources of human food production.

Agricultural Market Systems

Subsistence Agriculture: Characterized by the use of rudimentary tools, traditional plant varieties, and small-scale cultivation using natural fertilizers. This system produces little surplus and is primarily practiced in developing regions across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Industrial or Market Agriculture: Common in developed countries, this system focuses on high performance from minimal... Continue reading "Evolution of Global Agriculture and Livestock Systems" »

Agriculture in Slovakia

Agriculture, encompassing forestry, mining, and fishing, is a primary sector of the economy. It produces:

• Food for the population
• Raw materials for industry

Historical Development

• Beginning of the 20th century: 60% of the population made a living by agricultural production.
• 1949: Collectivization of agricultural production (state property).
• 1970s: Agricultural cooperatives (poľnohospodárske družstvá) were established.
• 1989: Dissolution of agricultural cooperatives – land and property began to be returned to original owners (or descendants).
• Joining the EU: European agricultural policy – quotas.

Current State of Agriculture

• Agriculture employs less than 1.5% of the workforce.
• Contributes 0.9 – 1.5% to GDP.
• Agricultural land

Slovakia's Transport Infrastructure

Types of Transport

• Road Transport: The most common mode.
• Railway Transport: Essential for goods and raw materials.
• Water Transport: Primarily via the Danube River.
• Air Transport: Supports tourism and business.
• Pipeline Transport: Crucial for energy infrastructure.

Road Network

Major Highways (D-series)

• D1: Bratislava – Košice
• D2: Connecting Hungary and the Czech Republic
• D3
• D4

Expressways

Slovakia also features a network of expressways complementing its highway system.

Economic Importance of Road Transport

• Significantly supports the automotive industry.

Railway Transport

Role in the Economy

• Primarily used for the transport of goods and raw materials such as coal and sand.

Types of Railway Companies

• ZSSK: Public passenger transport

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Today I come to talk about a very important topic, what is pollution. Today many of the products we consume and the industries that produce them generate pollution. We find air pollution in the air we breathe, in our food, in our clothes and cosmetics… Furthermore, plastic has literally flooded our lives. Pollution is not a long-term problem but it is currently affecting each one of us, for example air pollution that causes respiratory diseases, or deforestation that kills our fauna and vegetation.

The accumulated waste in our seas has become tons and tons. All of our beautiful cities, with our beautiful beaches, our incredible market stalls, could disappear. That is why we must reduce waste, nuclear energy, oil ... All this can be achieved... Continue reading "sswsss" »