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

Classical Economic Theories and Social Change

Malthusian Theory of Population Growth

Thomas Malthus theorized that population grows at a geometric rate (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 16...), while food increases at an arithmetic rate (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4...). Eventually, the population will exceed the capacity of food production. Population will rise until a limit to growth is reached. Once this happens, people will fight for resources.

David Ricardo and the Iron Law of Wages

David Ricardo argued that population affects the economy. Wages are determined by supply and demand: high labor supply leads to low wages; low labor supply leads to high wages.

Humanitarianism and Utilitarian Philosophy

• Humanitarianism: People who seek to help others.
• Jeremy Bentham (Utilitarianism)

Italy: Geography, Demographics, and Major Cities

Italy (Italian: Italia [iˈtaːlja] (listen)), officially the Italian Republic (Italian: Repubblica Italiana [reˈpubblika itaˈljaːna]),^{[11][12][13][14]} is a European country. It consists of a peninsula delimited by the Alps and is surrounded by several islands. Located in South-Central Europe,^[15][16] Italy is also considered part of Western Europe.^[17][18]

Geographical Footprint and Borders

The country covers a total area of 301,340 km² (116,350 sq mi). It shares land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and the enclaved microstates of Vatican City and San Marino. Italy also has a territorial exclave in Switzerland (Campione) and a maritime exclave in the Tunisian Sea (Lampedusa)... Continue reading "Italy: Land, People, and the Enduring Roman Legacy" »

The Urbanization Process

The urbanization process consists of concentrating population and the most dynamic economic and cultural activities within cities.

Antiquity

In Europe, the urbanization process began around the third millennium BC with the creation of cities in the Eastern Mediterranean by trading civilizations like Crete. However, the definitive push toward urbanization came in the 8th century BC, first with the Greeks and then with Roman rule, which spread cities all across the empire.

In Spain, the first cities (Cádiz and Ampurias) emerged in the 8th century BC thanks to colonization by Mediterranean peoples (Phoenicians and Greeks). The number of cities increased during the period of Roman rule, when numerous cities were founded, such... Continue reading "The Urbanization Process: From Ancient Cities to Modern Metropolises" »

English Words and Equivalents

• Admire: Appreciate
• Appeal to: Attraction
• Atmosphere: Ambience
• Awesome: Amazing
• Activity: Movement
• Alone: Lonely
• Announcement: Publication
• Annoyance: Upsetting
• Apologize: Regret
• Account: Documentation
• Actual: Authentic
• Advert: Advertisement
• Allure: Appealing
• Ambush: Aggression
• Appealing: Allure
• Active: Energetic
• Approach: Acercarse; Advance
• Approve: aprobar; second
• Auction: Subasta
• Avoid: Elude
• Blame: Accuse
• Boost: Support
• Bizarre: Weird
• Branch: Office
• Ban: Prohibition
• Believable: Credible
• Convicted: Criminal
• Cool: Chilly
• Court: tribunal
• Crime: Delict; Offense
• Cut down: Deforest
• Call out: Announce
• Chat: Talk
• Childish: Immature
• Collect: Accumulate
• Collection: Compilation
• Comical: Hilarious
• Convince: Persuade
• Countless: Incalculable
• Cheer: Encourage
• Clap:

1.1 The Concept of a City

Human settlement refers to the distribution of the population over a territory, which can be either rural or urban.

a) Rural Settlement:

• Characterized by a low number of inhabitants and low population density. The specific criteria for what constitutes a rural settlement can vary depending on the region. For example, in Norway, a city can have as few as 200 inhabitants.
• Typically features low-rise buildings that can be either concentrated or dispersed.
• The primary economic activities are related to the primary sector, which involves obtaining natural resources.
• Life in rural settlements is often characterized by close social ties and a strong sense of community belonging.
• Examples of rural settlements include villages and

SEA AND OCEAN CONTAMINATION

As we can see in the news and society, the oceans and seas are completely contaminated. The principal cause is humans. This has a lot of consequences in the ecosystem. There are different types of contamination, like the plastic droop in the ocean, factories, rubbish, ships fuel, etc.

This causes have negative consequences:

• The problem of the plastic is that the animals mix up with their food and when they eat that plastic, they die. Also affects when moving in the water, they make injury with plastics and can cause death.
• Because of the ships fuel pouring, the water contaminates, making ocean animals sick. Then if humans eat that fish with a disease, it can cause death in that person.
• Also, the plastic contamination

- 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