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

Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe is considered the father of postcolonial literature. His works reflect the effects of colonization in Nigeria. Nigeria became a British colony in the late 19th century, and, contrary to what had happened in Canada or the United States, Nigeria was under indirect rule, meaning that they used native authorities as rulers, and only a few English people actually settled in the country. Nigeria achieved its independence in 1960.

British Colonization and Its Impact

One of Britain's commercial interests that led to colonization was the trade in palm oil, which was very valuable and a much-needed material.

Furthermore, the English language, Christianity, and an English education system began developing with colonization. Nigeria... Continue reading "Chinua Achebe: The Father of Postcolonial Literature" »

The American Food Industry

From Farm to Factory

Global Food Insecurity

Today, with a global population of 7.8 billion, approximately 15% face challenges accessing food and drinkable water. The shift from rural to urban living, with over half the population now residing in cities, has transformed our relationship with food.

The Rise of Industrialized Agriculture

Population growth and urbanization have led to significant changes in food production. The development of tractors and other agricultural tools increased productivity, while advancements in chemistry, such as GMOs and pesticides, boosted production per square mile. This led to the adoption of Fordist principles, increasing scale and transforming agriculture into a factory system.

In recent... Continue reading "The American Food Industry: From Farm to Factory" »

Purpose of Economic Activity

The main purpose of the economy is to satisfy people's material needs in the form of goods and services acquired through payment.

Phases of Economic Activity

Economic activity typically involves three distinct phases:

• Production of Goods: This phase includes the utilization of natural resources, technology, and human labor.
• Distribution: Goods are made available to consumers through various channels.
• Consumption: This is the exchange of goods for money, fulfilling consumer needs.

Understanding Economic Sectors

Economic activities are broadly categorized into three main sectors:

• Primary Sector: Involves the extraction or collection of raw materials directly from nature. Examples include farming, fishing, and mining.
• Secondary

Margaret Thatcher

was a British stateswoman who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century and the first woman to have been appointed.

Apartheid

(in the Republic of South Africa) a rigid former policy of segregating and economically and politically oppressing the nonwhite population. Any system or practice that separates people according to color, ethnicity, caste, etc.

Baby boomers

are the demographic cohort following the Silent Generation. There are no precise dates for when this cohort starts or ends; demographers and researchers typically use starting birth years ranging from the early-to-mid 1940s and... Continue reading "Key Events and Figures of the 20th Century" »

Germanic Peoples

Definition and Origins

The Germanic peoples (Latin: Germani), sometimes referred to as "Germans," were a group of ethnicities from continental Northern Europe. Roman-era authors distinguished them from neighboring Celtic peoples. They are also referred to as Teutonic, Suebian, or Gothic peoples in older literature, although the latter two terms now primarily refer to specific Germanic groups.

Language and Culture

The Germanic peoples are closely associated with "Germanic languages" as defined in modern linguistics. However, some historians argue against the idea that early Germanic peoples shared a single core culture or language before interacting with Romans. During the Roman era, the migrating Suebian-related "Elbe Germans"... Continue reading "Germanic Peoples: History, Culture, and Influence" »

Agricultural Landscapes of Spain

-Oceanic or Atlantic agricultural landscape: north, west of the Peninsula .agricultural fields: small, polyculture, natural pasture ·livestock: Cantabria, Asturias, Basque country- cattle:milk, Galicia- cattle: meat. ·silviculture: forests are exploited intensively to obtain wood ·agricultural structure: smallholdings, owned by families or small businesses ·settlement: dispersed into small villages

-Mediterranean a.l: coastal areas in the east and south ·agriculture: rainfed cr.(cereals, olive trees, almonds)/irrigated cr.(garden vegt. citrus fruit) ·l: sheep, goats-extensively/cattle, pigs-intensive ·s: not economically profitable ·a.s: medium size ·s: densely populated, dispersed

-Inland a.l: Meseta,... Continue reading "Agricultural Landscapes of Spain: Oceanic, Mediterranean, Inland, Mountainous, and Subtropical" »

Colonial Empires of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Major British Colonies

• Canada
• Australia
• Egypt
• Sudan
• Nigeria
• Kenya
• Rhodesia
• South African Union
• India
• Burma
• New Guinea
• Cochinchina

Major French Colonies

• America and Oceania: No colonies
• Morocco
• Algeria
• French West Africa
• French Equatorial Africa
• Somalia
• Madagascar
• Indochina

Other European Empires

Spanish Colonies

• Rio de Oro
• Equatorial Guinea
• Northern Morocco

German Colonies

• Kamerun
• Tanganyika
• South West Africa

Dutch Colonies

• The Guianas
• Indonesia
• Malaysia

Belgian Colonies

• Belgian Congo
• New Guinea

Portuguese Colonies

• Angola
• Mozambique

Danish Colonies

• Iceland
• Greenland

Italian Colonies

• Libya
• Somalia
• Eritrea

Non-European Empires

Japanese Colonies

• Korea

US Territories and Protectorates

• Cuba
• Panama Canal Zone
• Philippines
• Alaska
• Puerto Rico

Russian Territories

• Turkestan
• Manchuria
• Kuril

Refugee Movements: The Syrian Crisis

The Worst European Humanitarian Crisis Since WWII

The current situation of Syrian refugees is the worst European humanitarian crisis since World War II. Thousands of people are fleeing the war in the Middle East, crossing the Mediterranean Sea, and seeking refuge in Europe. Many have died trying to reach European shores, and those who have arrived now face a lack of aid from the EU.

The Origins of the Conflict

The conflict's origin can be traced back to the Arab Spring of 2010, when numerous conflicts erupted between populations and dictators in several countries. While Tunisia and Egypt saw changes in their governments, the dictators of Libya and Syria refused to relinquish power.

The Wars in Libya and Syria

This... Continue reading "Syrian Refugee Crisis: Impact on Europe" »

This document presents a collection of key geographic, demographic, and historical facts spanning various continents. Each point offers insights into the physical landscapes, population trends, and historical developments of different regions around the globe.

North American Geography and Demographics

• The Great Plains are located to the east of the Rocky Mountains in Canada.
• Canada's population reached 30 million by the year 2000.
• The Colorado River flows through Mexico.
• The Industrial Revolution first took hold in the United States in the Northeast, not the South.
• Most of the U.S. population presently lives east of the Mississippi River.
• Canada has significant coal mining areas in the west, particularly in British Columbia and Alberta.
• In 2010, approximately

Unit 10: The New World Order

1. The New World Order and Its Problems

1.1. Multipolarity of Power

The end of communism in 1991 brought a new world order, with the USA as the sole world superpower. Its hegemony is evident in the influence of its diplomacy, the presence of its military around the world, and its intervention in several conflicts since the 1990s.

Last Decade: A tendency towards greater multipolarity due to the opposition towards USA hegemony. Some emerging countries are establishing themselves on the international scene with political and economic growth. In the future, countries like China, India, or Brazil will be ready to compete with the USA.

1.2. The Problems of Today's World

Democracies need to:

• Find ways of giving equal opportunities