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

Why Did the Industrial Revolution Start in Britain?

Firstly, between 1750 and 1850, Britain became an industrialized country. The lives of the citizens changed drastically during these years, a period which is well known as the Industrial Revolution. Industrialization is the process where an area or society adopts particular forms of production.

The importance of industry became crucial as economic activity shifted from raw materials into manufactured goods, which is the main theme characterizing the Industrial Revolution. At the same time, new divisions of social classes were made, and new job opportunities were brought forth. In this essay, the different factors that led to the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the changes that caused the... Continue reading "Why the Industrial Revolution Began in Britain" »

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" »

Global Discoveries and Early Modern Journeys

The Portuguese Explorations

The Portuguese prince, Henry the Navigator, encouraged the development of navigation skills and the exploration of the African coast. There was considerable rivalry with Castilla in this region, but it was resolved with the signing of the Treaty of Alcáçovas in 1479.

The treaty granted Castilla the right to conquer the Canary Islands, while Portugal was allowed to explore the African coast south of Cape Bojador.

Key Portuguese achievements included:

• Reaching Cape Bojador in 1431.
• Reaching the Gulf of Guinea in 1460.
• In 1487, Bartolomeu Dias successfully rounded the Cape of Good Hope.
• In 1498, Vasco da Gama reached India, establishing a direct sea route.

Castilla and the Discovery

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" »

Genetically Modified Foods: The Controversy

Genetically Modified (GM) foods are controversial because scientific perspectives often differ from public opinion. Key arguments for and against GM foods include:

• Advantages:
  • Enhanced resistance to pests and adverse weather conditions.
  • Faster growth rates and increased crop yields.
  • Potential for introducing beneficial nutritional traits for human health.
• Disadvantages:
  • Concerns about their "unnatural" nature.
  • Uncertainty regarding long-term health consequences.
  • Potential for unforeseen environmental impacts and changes to ecosystems.

Basque Quality Denomination of Origin Products

Several products carry the prestigious label of Basque Quality Denomination of Origin. Examples include:

• Beans from Tolosa
• Green Peppers

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" »

Authoritarian Monarchies

During the Modern Age, the feudal European monarchies became authoritarian monarchies. The king reinforced his power over the kingdom as a whole by imposing his authority over the nobility and limiting the autonomy of the municipalities. This new way of organizing the state is referred to as the Modern State.

In Europe, authoritarian monarchy took root in France, England and the kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. However, Germany and Italy did not manage to create unified states.

Authoritarian monarchies became especially established in England, where the monarchies of the Tudor dynasty, such as Henry VII, dominated the nobility; in France, where the Valois rulers, such as Louis XI, put an end to the influence of the Dukes... Continue reading "Rise of Authoritarian Monarchies in Early Modern Europe" »