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

The Spanish Empire

Political Structure

Empire: A state that governs different territories with inhabitants of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Composite Monarchy: A set of territories united under a single monarch, with each territory maintaining its own institutions.

Capital: The seat of government.

Parliament: The most powerful institution in each state of the kingdom, composed of the high nobility, high clergy, and high bourgeoisie.

Concejos: Collegiate institutions that advise the king on territorial, thematic, and state matters.

Governor, Viceroy, Corregidor: Officials who govern a territory or city on behalf of the king.

Audiencias and Chancelleries: Courts of justice.

Justicia de Aragon, Generalitat de Catalunya: Institutions that defend the laws... Continue reading "The Spanish Empire: A Comprehensive Overview" »

Indian Coal Types, Formation, and Uses

1. Coal Types in India

   Describe the qualities of four different types of coal found in India. How is coal formed?
   • Peat: Low carbon and high in moisture.
   • Lignite: Low-grade brown coal, soft and with high moisture content.
   • Bituminous Coal: High carbon and low moisture content, the most popular coal for commercial use.
   • Anthracite: The highest quality hard coal.

   Coal is formed due to the compression of plant material over millions of years. Most coal was formed during the Carboniferous period.

2. Renewable Energy Resources

   What are renewable resources? Why has it become necessary to use renewable energy resources?

   The resources which can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical, or mechanical processes are known as

A New Historical Period

The Modern Age is the historical period from the 15th to the 18th century. The year in which this period began is a subject of debate amongst historians. The most widely accepted dates are either the capture of Constantinople by the Turks (1453) or the discovery of America (1492). Its conclusion is marked by the French Revolution (1789). The Modern Age is often divided into a number of sub-periods which have more or less homogeneous features: the 16th century or Renaissance period, the 17th century, or Baroque period; and the 18th century, or Enlightenment and Absolutism.

Changes in the 15th and 16th Centuries

From the mid-15th century and over the course of the 16th century, Europe underwent transformations that affected... Continue reading "Historical Shifts: The Dawn of the Modern Age" »

Hydroelectric energy is generated by flowing water that turns a turbine. This movement creates a current, and this current is converted into energy using turbines and generators.

Hydroelectric Energy in Bizkaia

In Bizkaia, Alstom Hydro in Bilbao is part of the largest global industrial and technology group related to hydroelectric energy, boasting over 100 years of experience.

How Hydroelectric Energy Works

This energy works because water accumulates in one place, then passes through a turbine. The turbine moves, converting the water's movement into energy.

Historical Evolution of Hydroelectric Power

In the past, a wooden wheel was used in the middle of a river. It had a chain of wood that spun over the river, taking water to generate electricity.... Continue reading "Hydroelectric Power: A Clean Energy Source" »

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

pilgrimage route which continue existing, it became a major pilgrimage route in 11th century because of the invasion of Europe.

PRE-ROMANESQUE ART

period in European art, which emerged from Carolingian Renaissance in the late 8th to 11th century.

RENAISSANCE OF URBAN LIFE

began in the 11th century, the population grew and new population centers developed in ancient Roman cities or in new cities.

BOROUGHS

new neighborhoods for craftsmen and merchants, they were also surrounded by walls, these new parts or cities appeared since the 11th century.

BOURGEOISIE

people who live in the borough and became a new social group, formed by aristocracy and traders.

URBAN ARISTOCRACY

the route of the richest families in a medieval city, they belonged... Continue reading "Medieval Urban Development and Cultural Movements" »

Energy Consumption Evolution: 1900-2050

Description: This graph shows the evolution of energy consumption from 1900 to 2050. It illustrates the use of the following energy sources:

• Renewable: Solar, geothermal, wind, hydroelectric
• Non-Renewable: Nuclear, natural gas, crude oil, coal

Source: Deutsche Shell

Analysis

• 1900: Coal (due to industry) and biomass (wood) were the primary energy sources.
• 1950: Coal, natural gas, and oil (non-renewable) began to grow. Nowadays, their use accounts for 75% to 80% of total energy consumption.
• 1970: Alternative energies (renewable) started being used due to the oil crisis of 1973. Forecasts until 2050 predict that alternative energies will grow in importance, and non-renewable sources will decrease.

Solutions to Prevent

Economic Activity

Economic activity is what humans undertake to acquire goods (products and services) that satisfy consumer needs.

Economic Goods

Economic goods are products and services generated by economic activity.

Products

Products are goods obtained directly from nature (e.g., fish) or transformed into something else (e.g., clothes, books). They can be classified by:

• Composition: They can be consumable (durable consumer goods, such as computers, or non-durable, such as pizza) or capital goods (tools).
• Function: They can be intermediate goods (wool produced by a sheep) or finished goods (the shirt made from this wool).
• Ownership: They can be private (belonging to people) or public (belonging to the state).

Factors of Production

Factors of production... Continue reading "Understanding Economic Activity: Sectors and Factors" »

Castilian farmers organized transhumance to feed their livestock.

King Alfonso X was aware of the importance of the livestock in his kingdoms and established the Mesta, an association that looked after the interests of livestock farmers.

The flocks of sheep belonged to rich families who had fiefdoms in the region. Most wool from the sheep was exported to textile mills in northern Europe.

The king agreed to share the creation of laws with the Cortes and to respect the rights of nobility, clergy, and ordinary people through a series of pacts.

The royal court, ciceroy, Cortes, generalidad, chief justice, and Mallorca were ruled by the General Council.

Q.9 What are border roads? Mention its Two importances.

Ans. Strategically important roads in The bordering areas of the country are called border roads. These roads are in The northern and northeastern border areas. Importance of Border roads: -

1) Border roads have improved Accessibility in areas of difficult terrain.2) They have helped in the economic Development of border areas.3) Used to supply military equipments to The borders of our country.

Q.10 State any four problems of Road transport in the country.Ans. Major problems are:i. Road transportation in India is Inadequate keeping in view the volume of traffic and passengers.Ii. About half of the roads are Un-mettal and this limits their usage during the rainy season.iii. The National Highways... Continue reading "Comprehensive Guide to Transportation in India: Roads, Railways, and Pipelines" »

In Spain, the Modern Age began with the Catholic Monarchs. They laid the foundations for Spanish hegemony in Europe, which was consolidated during the 16^th century by Charles I and Philip II.

The Dynastic Union of Castilla and Aragon

The marriage of Isabella I of Castilla and Ferdinand II of Aragón in 1469 was the first step toward the union of the Kingdom of Castilla and the states belonging to the Crown of Aragón. The process was completed in 1479. In reality, this was only a dynastic union, which meant that the rule of the two monarchs was the only thing that the respective territories had in common. These maintained their institutions, laws, customs, and currencies.

The Strengthening of the State

The Catholic Monarchs reinforced their royal... Continue reading "The Catholic Monarchs and the Expansion of Spain" »