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

- Period= 1780- 1850/ 1850- 1945

Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica

Maya Civilization (200-900 A.D.)

• One of two highly organized civilizations in Mexico/Central America.
• Ruled by religious leaders.
• Known for building pyramids and large palaces.

Aztec Empire

• Another highly organized culture from Mexico/Central America.
• Main city: Tenochtitlan.
• Developed terraced slopes to prevent soil erosion.

Key Historical Events

Mexican Independence (1821)

Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.

Key Terms and Concepts

Latifundista: Large Estates

A latifundista refers to a great estate in Latin America or Spain.

Transculturation: Cultural Blending

The process where two cultures come together and produce a new one. An example is the Mestizos.

Caribbean Nations and Influences

Jamaica: British Influence

Jamaica'... Continue reading "Latin America & Caribbean: Essential Facts and History" »

Northern Europe

UK, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. Northern Europe consists of two regions: the British Isles and Scandinavia. In the far north lies the scenic Scandinavian Peninsula. The Jutland Peninsula forms the mainland part of Denmark and extends into the North Sea. Flat plains or low hills make up most of the peninsula's interior.

Great Britain

Largest island in Europe. The UK comprises four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

England

Largest division in the UK.

English Channel

Separates the island from continental Europe.

Ireland

Added in 1801. Northern Ireland stayed.

The Channel Tunnel

The Eurotunnel is a railway tunnel that connects Folkestone with Coquelles beneath the English Channel at the... Continue reading "Exploring Northern Europe: Geography, Culture, and Language" »

THE DUST BOWL

The Fibre Placement Process

Automatically places multiple individual prepreg tows onto a mandrel at high speed, using a numerically controlled, articulating robotic placement head to dispense, clamp, cut and restart as many as 32 tows simultaneously. Machines are available with dual mandrel stations to increase productivity.

Advantages of fibre placement include:

• Processing speed
• Reduced material scrap
• Labour costs
• Parts consolidation
• Improved part-to-part uniformity

Often used to produce large thermoset parts with complex shapes.

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

There are three types of reefs:

• Fringing Reef – Coral platforms grow out to sea attached to the mainland.
• Barrier

A greater biomass;

Higher levels of species diversity;

Better soil structure and greater water retention;

Lower pH;

Plant species will be taller and longer living;

Greater community complexity and stability/equilibrium;

Greater habitat diversity;

B Award [3-4 max] for human threats, [3-4 max] for natural threats

and [2-4 max] the consequences.

e.g. Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland, Australia

Human threats:

• Tourism; coral is very fragile and easily damaged by divers’ fins, touching coral, or breaking bits off for souvenirs;
• Overfishing can disrupt the balance of species in the food chain;
• Inadvertent damage from anchors and pollution from boats;
• Run-off of fertilizers from sugar plantations on the coast;
• Sewage and pollution from coastal settlements

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.