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

Early European Expeditions: Portugal & Castile

• The monarchs of the Kingdoms of Portugal and Castile began to finance exploratory voyages.
• The Kingdom of Portugal sought to reach India via an easterly route, sailing around the coast of Africa to the Indian Ocean.
• These efforts continued until Bartolomeu Dias discovered the Cape of Good Hope in 1487. Later, an expedition led by Vasco da Gama followed this route, reaching Calcutta, India, in 1498.
• The Kingdom of Castile attempted to reach India via a western route, crossing the Atlantic Ocean. An expedition led by Christopher Columbus discovered a new continent, America, on October 12, 1492.

Christopher Columbus and the Discovery of America

• Christopher Columbus was a sailor, likely from Genoa, who

Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located within South Asia and Central Asia. It has a population of 33 million.

Most of Afghanistan has a subarctic mountain climate with dry and cold winters, except for the lowlands, which have arid and semiarid climates. The climate in the highlands varies with elevation. The coolest temperatures usually occur on the heights of the mountains. The GDP per capita is $590.

In 2002, an estimated 900,000 boys attended school, while women and girls were almost completely excluded from educational opportunities.

Is Tidal Energy Renewable or Non-Renewable?

Tidal energy is renewable because it uses tides as its supplier. In other words, the source of energy can be easily restored after use. Also, it produces energy at a higher rate than it is consumed, considering that energy is constantly being produced with the movement of the tide.

Tidal Energy Process

The process begins by placing a turbine on a coastal line with high tidal movement. These turbines are made to use the kinetic energy from the tides in order to produce electricity. Attached to the generator is a rod which then attaches to the rotor. When the turbine uses the kinetic energy by turning due to the tides, the rotor filled with magnets turns and generates electrical energy.

Economic Advantage

It'... Continue reading "Tidal Energy: Renewable and Sustainable" »

China: Population 1.3 billion growing rapidly - 1 child policy used in the past

Most population in middle/middle-high income. Therefore spend a lot on luxury goods - more than any other country. Manufacturing hub Fashion industry - open to overseas brands, willing to spend a lot (not price sensitive) GDP growing fast, huge economy, dynamic & successful TRADE - surpassed US as a trading nation, rely heavily on emerging markets such as Brazil for exports but these EM cannot compete with their huge success and dominance. E-commerce industry is huge - no Facebook Whatsapp or Google, they use their own, WeChat has 900 million users. Use phones for everything. “Belt Road Initiative” - extend trade routes & integrate the economy. Opportunities... Continue reading "China: Opportunities and Strategies for Doing Business" »

M12/3/GEOGR/HP2/ENG/TZ0/XX

2. (a) Río Grande de Santiago: Geographical Characteristics

[4 marks]

Describe the geographical characteristics of the Río Grande de Santiago downstream from La Presa.

1. (b) Human Activity and Water Flow Through Systems

[2+2+2 marks]

Explain three ways in which human activity can reduce the time taken for water to pass through the system.

Causes of Deforestation

• Procuring land for cultivation
• Building houses and factories
• Making furniture, using wood as fuel
• Natural causes such as forest fires and droughts

Effects of Deforestation

• Increase in atmospheric temperature due to increased carbon dioxide concentration, leading to global warming
• Severe droughts and floods
• Changes in soil nature, water holding capacity, and soil erosion, leading to desertification
• Destruction of wildlife habitat, making survival difficult

Conservation Measures

Biosphere

The part of the earth that supports life.

Biodiversity

The variety of organisms on earth, their interrelationships, and their relationship with the environment.

Flora and Fauna

Plants found in a particular area (flora) and animals found in a particular... Continue reading "Deforestation: Causes, Effects, and Conservation Measures" »

Liberalism

Leaded by: the bourgeoisie people.

Religious: freedom.

Political believe: Constitutional monarchy.

Social system: Class based society.

Economy: economic freedom, the government doesn’t take part in the economy.

Changes to do in the decisions taken in Vienna: Change the absolutist monarchy to the constitutional monarchy. The social system and the economical control of the government.

Nationalism

Leaded by: generally the bourgeoisie people, but also supported by other social groups, such as peasants, clergy, nobles…

Political believe: rights of different nations to have their own independence country.

Social system: End with the estate-based system.

Economy: Protect their national economy.

Changes to do in the decisions taken in Vienna: They... Continue reading "Political Ideologies and Changes in Vienna" »

Types of Forests in India

Reserved Forests

These forests are earmarked only for the production of timber. Grazing of animals and cultivation of crops are not allowed in these forests. About 54% of forests are grouped under reserved forests.

Protected Forests

These forests are protected from further depletion. The right of grazing and cultivation is allowed with certain restrictions. About 29% of forests come under protected forests.

Unclassed Forests

There are no restrictions in these forests. These forests belong to the government and private individuals. About 16% of forests are unclassed forests.

Project Tiger: A Conservation Success Story

The tiger is one of the most important species among fauna. It was estimated that the population of tigers... Continue reading "Types of Forests in India, Water Scarcity, and Watershed Development" »