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

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

1. “...there is constant interchange of … various kinds within each system, not only between the organisms but between the organic and inorganic. These ecosystems, as we may call them, are of ... various kinds and sizes.” — Tansley (1935)

Comparing Ecosystems and Social Systems

(a) Compare the characteristics of ecosystems and social systems. (5 points)

• Systems are assemblages of parts and the relationships between those parts, which together constitute the entity or whole.
• Both types of systems have common features such as inputs, outputs, flows, and stores.
• Social systems are more general; there are many different types, such as transport systems, economic systems, farming systems, or class systems.
• Energy and matter flow through ecosystems,

Concept and Causes

1. Population growth: Advances in nutrition, hygiene, and medicine improved living conditions; therefore, the population grew. This population growth had two main consequences:
   • The demand for food and other goods increased.
   • There was a large workforce.
2. Agricultural improvements: Farms became more profitable due to the use of new machinery, better systems of crop rotation, and fertilisers. These developments encouraged industrialisation.
3. Trade expansion: The greater demand for goods and the absence of internal duties increased domestic trade. At the same time, Great Britain became the first sea trade power: trade profits, both domestic and foreign, financed industrial production.
4. Technological progress: New machines made the production

Problems Related to Population

• Rapid population growth: Mainly in less developed countries.
• Ageing populations: Mainly in rich societies.
• Effects of large-scale migration.
• Coexistence in a multicultural world.

Migration Definitions

Emigration: Refers to people leaving one place for another.
Immigration: Refers to people arriving from another territory.

Three Factors of Migration

1. Nature: Forced or voluntary.
2. Duration: Temporary or permanent.
3. Place: Internal or international.

Why Do People Migrate?

• Economic: Especially to seek employment.
• Social: Better quality of life or to be near family.
• Political: Escaping from conflicts such as wars.
• Environmental: Escaping from natural disasters like earthquakes or floods.

Effects of Migration

In Countries of Origin

• Positive:

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

Globalisation

Globalisation consists of the growing integration of national economies in a worldwide market economy.

Causes of globalisation

• Progress of telecommunications: provides information in real time and permits contact between people anywhere on the planet.
• Improvement of transport: facilitates the transfer of goods and people around the world.
• Widespread adoption of capitalism and neoliberal ideals: has helped economic relations throughout the world.

External Structure of the Earth

• Lithosphere: It includes the crust and the upper mantle. It is the solid part of the Earth.
• Hydrosphere: It includes all the waters on Earth.
• Atmosphere: Gaseous layer that surrounds the Earth.
  • Troposphere (0–10 km): Where weather phenomena take place.
  • Stratosphere