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

Wartime Policies and the Search for Principle

Quota Acts, Depression, and Declining Arrivals

The Quota Acts ended the new immigration, and arrivals from Northern and Western Europe, including the United Kingdom, declined. The Depression of the 1930s put a stop to mass immigration. During that decade, half a million Mexicans were deported. Nazi and fascist regimes caused the massive arrival of refugees. Congress, under special laws, admitted 250,000 of them as non-quota immigrants, but many more were turned away (including 20,000 Jewish children).

Labor Programs, Internment, and Postwar Resettlement

During World War II, the government imported temporary labor from Mexico under the Bracero Program due to wartime labor shortages and lifted the ban... Continue reading "Wartime U.S. Immigration Policies and Quota Reforms" »

Benefits of Globalization

• Increased Quality: Companies must provide better goods and services to attract consumers.
• Lower Prices: Producers must price competitively to remain in the market.
• Reduced Cultural Barriers: Movement between countries fosters tolerance and openness.

Drawbacks of Globalization

• Exploitation: Companies may relocate factories to countries with cheaper labor, leading to exploitation (e.g., Adidas factory in Cambodia).
• Job Insecurity: Globalization increases competition for jobs, leading to job insecurity and lower wages.
• Dominance of Rich Countries: Globalization primarily benefits developed countries at the expense of developing countries.

Conclusion

Globalization can be beneficial if human rights are respected and product quality... Continue reading "Globalization: Benefits and Drawbacks in the Goods and Services Sector" »

Agriculture and Fishing: Global Production Systems

Global Distribution of Primary Sector Employment

The primary sector involves the extraction and production of raw materials, such as farming, fishing, and mining.

• Fact Check: In developed countries, 50% of the active population work in the primary sector.
  • False: This figure is characteristic of developing countries. In developed countries, the percentage is typically around 6%.

Agricultural Systems: Definitions and Characteristics

Traditional vs. Commercial Farming

Traditional agriculture is a type of subsistence agriculture, typically practiced on small plots of land. It is characterized by:

• Use of polyculture (growing several crops simultaneously), not monoculture.
• Strong dependence on physical factors

Population: Definition and Historical Drivers

Population: a group of people who live in a territory or a place at a particular moment in time.

Which factors have determined the growth of the human population from the Neolithic Revolution onwards?

Factors include: the expansion of agricultural areas, the natural environment and its climate, and catastrophic events such as wars and epidemics.

Why was there such a large increase in the world’s population from the end of the 19th century? Because of the Industrial Revolution.

How many people were in the world in 2015? Approximately 7.3 billion.

Four Demographic Models

1. Old demographic regime: high birth rate, high mortality rate.
2. Transition regime: high birth rate, falling mortality rate (demographic

Sioux (Dakota)

Warriors and Honor

Fierce warriors, feared by their neighbors. To win glory for their tribe and fame and honor for themselves, they fought one another. From boyhood on, males were taught to fear neither pain nor death. Bravery in battle was the surest way for a warrior to win respect and a high position in his tribe.

Lifestyle and Sustenance

Food, Shelter, Clothing: Buffalo (when the buffalo moved, they moved). Everything they owned was designed to be carried easily. Within hours they could take down their tepees (conical buffalo-skin tents that were their homes and a symbol of the American Indian way of life). The tepee was invented by the buffalo hunters of the western grasslands. It was built around a framework of about 12 slim,... Continue reading "Native American Tribes: Sioux and Haida" »

Economic Systems: An Overview

1. The Role of Economics

Economics governs the management and utilization of resources to meet individual and societal needs. Economic goods encompass:

• Products: Tangible items like food, books, and computers
• Services: Intangible work performed for others, such as transportation, education, and hairdressing

2. Factors of Production

Economic activities rely on various resources known as factors of production:

• Natural Resources: Earth, water, plants, animals, etc.
• Human Resources: People and their labor (e.g., teachers, doctors, hairdressers)
• Capital Resources: Money, buildings, machinery, equipment, etc.

3. Types of Economic Systems

Economic systems vary in how they control factors of production and allocate resources:

Planned

Understanding Global Warming: Causes & Impacts

This document details the primary causes and significant consequences of global warming on our planet. Understanding these factors is crucial for addressing this pressing environmental challenge.

Causes of Global Warming

Global warming is primarily driven by human activities. The three main causes include:

• The Greenhouse Effect

  This phenomenon occurs when humans extensively use energy, leading to the burning of fossil fuels. This process releases toxic gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which accumulate in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space and thereby destroying the delicate atmospheric balance.

• Deforestation

  A significant environmental problem,

The Maya Civilization

The Maya were one of the most dominant indigenous societies of Mesoamerica. They were from a region that consisted of portions of Mexico, almost all Guatemala, the western part of Honduras, all of Belize, and the western part of El Salvador.

Development in Petén

- They attained their highest development in an area called Petén, which is a region of Guatemala, at the base of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Population Peak

- At its peak, the Maya population may have reached 2,000,000.

Characteristics

- They were established in the Pre-Classic period (2000 BC to AD 250) and were characterized by their many developments and discoveries.

- They demonstrated great abilities in architecture, sculpture, painting, mathematics, and astronomy.... Continue reading "Maya Civilization: Achievements, Decline, and Mysteries" »

1. Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world. Criminal activity is very low, and strict laws keep life safe for residents.

2. It has a strong economy, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world.

3. One of the cleanest countries there is, the main cities are well managed and maintained.

4. Little or no pollution, with fresh air throughout the year.

5. The main Swiss cities (for example, Zurich and Gini) are generally on the Top 10 lists in the world for their high quality of life.

6. Good food available. Swiss cuisine is based on French, Italian, and German recipes for inspiration, and it shows in the variety of dishes, also is known worldwide for its cheeses, chocolates, and fondue. While it's not cheap, Swiss education... Continue reading "Discover the Beauty of Switzerland: Top Reasons to Visit" »