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

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the relationship between Posidonia and Caulerpa?
2. Which factors influence human impact on the environment?
3. Which are the main threats to the environment?
4. How do we prevent environmental degradation? (Draw a mind map for the next session)

1. What’s an Ecological Footprint?

The idea of an ecological footprint is basically a measure of how much area is needed to support our lifestyles, how much land is needed to produce all the things we consume, and what is needed to clean up our waste.

Act.3. International Agreements on the Environment

a) Numerous international agreements have been signed aimed at protecting the environment, including agreements to combat climate change; protect the Earth´s ozone layer, manage... Continue reading "Environmental Sustainability: Threats, Impact, and Solutions" »

Understanding Economic Fundamentals

Economic activity refers to the processes undertaken by humans to acquire goods (products and services) that satisfy consumer needs.

Key Economic Agents

Economic agents are entities that play a crucial role in transforming factors of production into goods and services. They include:

• People and families: They are consumers who spend money. They can also generate products when running a business and pay taxes to the state.
• Companies: These can be private or state-owned. They generate goods and services, create jobs, and pay taxes.
• The State: It offers services to people and companies, financed by collecting taxes. Essential services include administration, defense and security, education, healthcare, unemployment

Humans Along with Living Organisms Form a Complex Web of Ecological System

Humans along with other living organisms form a complex web of ecological systems in which we are only a part and very much dependent on this system for our own existence. For example, plants, animals, and micro-organisms recreate the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that produces our food without which we cannot survive. Forests play a key role in the ecological system as they are also the primary producers on which all other living beings depend. Biodiversity or biological diversity is immensely rich in wildlife and cultivated species, diverse in form and function but closely integrated in a system through multiple networks of interdependencies.

Travel and Tourism Definitions

Understanding common terms in the travel and tourism industry:

• Trip

  A journey in which you visit a place for a short time and return.

• Journey

  An act of traveling from one place to another.

• Tourism

  The activity of people traveling to different places for enjoyment.

• Traveler

  A person who travels or who often travels.

• Tourist

  A person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure.

• Tour

  A journey for pleasure in which several different places are visited.

• Vacation

  A period of rest taken as a holiday, for a short or long time.

• Hotel

  An establishment providing accommodation, meals, and other services for travelers and tourists.

• Taxation

  When a government or taxing authority imposes or levies a tax.

Understanding Migration Dynamics

Effects

Technological Progress: The invention of new machines enabled factories to produce goods more quickly and cheaply. Decreased prices benefited consumers. The invention of the steam engine was particularly important, revolutionizing many sectors of the economy.

Favorable Political and Social Structure: Great Britain's parliamentary monarchy allowed the bourgeoisie to participate in government and political decision-making. This social group promoted measures that advanced its economic interests.

Textile Industry: Technological innovations in spinning and weaving machines increased production.

Iron and Steel Production: New machines led to better quality and lower prices.

Transport: The steam engine revolutionized communications through its application... Continue reading "The Industrial Revolution: Causes, Impact, and Social Changes" »

Hawaii: A Volcanic Paradise in the Central Pacific

Hawaii, a state of the United States, is a volcanic archipelago located in the Central Pacific. It is the most remote chain of islands in the world, boasting a rich history and vibrant culture.

Geography and Climate

Hawaii's islands were once known as the Sandwich Islands. Today, they are home to over 1.4 million people and cover an area of 28,330 square kilometers. The state's natural beauty is unparalleled, with abundant flora and fauna. The climate is moderate year-round, making it an ideal destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Agriculture and Industry

Agriculture plays a significant role in Hawaii's economy. The fertile land and favorable climate allow for the cultivation of... Continue reading "Discover the Enchanting Islands of Hawaii: A Guide to Its Natural Beauty, Culture, and History" »

The Formation of the Hispanic Monarchy

In the same year, Ferdinand became the King of Aragon after the death of his father. This unified Castile and Aragon. As a single state was not created, it is referred to as the Hispanic Monarchy.

The Catholic Monarchs carried out a series of domestic reforms to centralize power.

Centralizing Power: Key Domestic Reforms

• Permanent Army: A permanent army was formed with professional soldiers, which could overpower the militias of the nobility.
• Royal Treasury: The Royal Treasury was given greater powers to control and administer tax collection.
• Councils: The most important council was the Council of Castile. Those of Aragon and Navarre were also important in administering territories.
• Judicial System: The judicial

Economy: Craft Production

Continued to be regulated by associations called guilds (groups of persons who worked in the same association) and the domestic system. Trade was dominated by economic powers such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, and the United Provinces.

Social Conflicts

Taxes burdened ordinary people to pay for military expenses and luxuries for the court. Nobles demanded higher rents and services from peasants, leading to peasant impoverishment. The wealthy bourgeoisie benefited from buying lands at low prices. Urban and peasant revolts ensued due to growing taxation and food shortages.

Peace and War

Philip II and the Duke of Lerma pursued a peace policy, strengthening the treasury. Spain engaged in various treaties and wars, including... Continue reading "Economic, Social, and Political Changes in Europe: 16th-17th Century" »

Key Demographic Formulas

• Number of Births: (Number of Inhabitants × Birth Rate) ÷ 1000
• Number of Deaths: (Number of Inhabitants × Death Rate) ÷ 1000
• Birth Rate: (Number of Births × 1000) ÷ Number of Inhabitants
• Death Rate: (Number of Deaths × 1000) ÷ Number of Inhabitants
• Natural Increase: ((Number of Births - Number of Deaths) × 100) ÷ Number of Inhabitants
• Population Density: Number of Inhabitants ÷ Surface Area

World Population Dynamics

Demographic transition refers to the shift from high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates as a country or region develops from a pre-industrial to an industrialized economic system.

Factors Influencing Birth Rates

• High infant mortality rates
• Religious beliefs and lack of family planning options
• Improved

Cities vs. Villages

A city is a place with a population exceeding 10,000 inhabitants. Cities are characterized by high-rise buildings, factories, businesses, and historical districts. In contrast, villages are smaller settlements with limited businesses, few inhabitants, fewer services, and a predominantly agricultural economy.

Pre-Industrial Cities

In the pre-industrial era, less than 10% of the population resided in cities, which typically housed between 5,000 to 10,000 people. These cities served various functions:

• Military
• Administrative
• Economic
• Religious

The Classic City (9th-8th Centuries BC)

During this period, Phoenicians and Greeks established trading posts along the coasts of Hispania. The Romanization of these areas marked the beginning... Continue reading "From Ancient Towns to Modern Metropolises: Understanding Urban Development" »