Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of Geography

Imperialism in the 19th and 20th Centuries

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a number of developed countries took control of other regions and lands all over the world.

The Causes of Imperial Expansion

Imperial expansion was mainly a result of the rise of finance capitalism.

• For European countries, colonies were a symbol of international prestige; it was also important to control strategic locations.
• The growth of the population in Europe and the use of machinery in factories caused high levels of unemployment, and many people emigrated to the colonies to look for work.
• Scientific progress required geographic expeditions to unknown areas of the world, such as the African continent, or expeditions to discover new plants, animals, and

CAUSES OF DEVELOPED INEQUALITIES: natural Conditions, lack of trchnology and education to obtain resources. Imbalance Between population and resources don´t allow basic needs for all the population.

POLITICAL INESTABILITY: international: Unequal relations btw territories. Foreigns domination: neo-colonialism ; Foreign debt.

INEQUALITIES IN EUROPE AND SPAIN:

EUROPE: historic causes, geographical causes, Cultural causes.  Economic regions: Pentagon, alpine arc and Mediterranean arc, economic periphery. To trackle regional inequalities the European union implement different investments and Cooperation policies.

Spain:

Well-developed country but there are social problems and regional imbalances. Full equality for women, Unemployment Affects overall... Continue reading "Concept of education" »

Recycling is one of the main measures against pollution, as it is something we can all do in our homes just like large companies.

On the one hand, there are many advantages to recycling. For example, we help reduce pollution and give the recycled material a second life. It is an act that costs very little and contributes to a better world in the future. All people can recycle at home, at school, and at work.

On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages. One of them would be recycling erroneously. To prevent this from happening, it would be necessary to increase the information on how to do it correctly or provide courses that teach us.

In conclusion, I believe that recycling is very important to take care of our planet. Pollution is currently... Continue reading "The Importance of Recycling: Advantages, Disadvantages, and How to Do It Correctly" »

Classification of Industrial Activities

Industrial activities can be classified into different types based on their origin and characteristics:

Base Industries

These industries make the first changes to raw materials (minerals and energy sources) to provide energy.

Capital Goods Industries

These industries make the second changes in order to prepare products.

Consumer Goods Industries

These industries manufacture products that are to be sold directly to the consumer.

Factors for Industry Location

Traditional Factors

• Proximity to raw materials and energy sources
• Proximity to market centers and consumption
• Proximity to ports and transport routes
• Abundance of low-skilled labor

Current Factors

• Accessibility to raw materials and energy sources
• Abundance of cheap

Farming Innovations

The old method of farming involved leaving one field fallow every third year. The Dutch, seeking to maximize land use, developed a system of crop rotation. This involved growing different crops (wheat, turnip, barley, clover) on the same field each year. Each crop utilized different chemicals and minerals from the soil. By the mid-eighteenth century, wealthy British farmers enthusiastically adopted crop rotation.

Traditionally, seeds were sown by hand, with much being lost to wind or birds. Jethro Tull invented a seed drill that dug a hole, trickled in the seed, and covered it with earth. Sowing seeds in rows also made weeding easier. Another innovation was the horse hoe, which allowed for weeding multiple rows at once. By... Continue reading "Agricultural Revolution: Innovations, Growth & Trade Impact" »

Absolutism and the Decline of Feudalism in Europe

1. Absolutism and Parliament

• Absolutism: The king has all the power in society.
• Parliament: The king does not have all the power; the people have a say in government.

2. Economic Changes

2.1 Agriculture

• Agriculture became less productive.
• The land became less fertile due to frosts, heavy rain, and droughts.
• Demand for agricultural products decreased.

2.2 Craft Production

• Craft production continued to be regulated by associations called guilds.
• The domestic system allowed for cheaper products to be produced more efficiently.

2.3 Trade

• Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, and the United Provinces became important trading nations.

2.4 Taxes

• Ordinary people were taxed to pay for the military and luxuries of the court.

Fertility

The number of live births per 1000 women aged between 15-49.

Mortality

The mortality in a particular place or situation is the number of people who die.

Demography

The study of population statistics.

Life Expectancy

The average period that a person is expected to live.

Density

A measure of the amount of information on a storage medium.

Migration

Seasonal movement of people from one region to another.

Population

All the inhabitants of a particular place.

One Child Policy

An official program initiated in the late 1970s and early '80s by the central government of China, the purpose of which was to limit the great majority of family units in the country to one child each. The rationale for implementing the policy was to reduce the growth rate of China'... Continue reading "Fertility, Mortality, Demography, and Population: Key Concepts Explained" »

The Spanish Housing Bubble (1997-2006)

The housing bubble occurred in Spain during the decade from 1997 to 2006. During this period, housing prices effectively doubled. Property prices grew significantly faster than the prices of other goods.

According to Gandoy, in comparison with the European Union, construction achieved significant importance in Spain. This housing expansion formed the basis of the economic growth model, driven by demographic growth resulting from immigration and the demand for secondary residences from both national investors and other Europeans. Housing demand rose thanks to easy credit availability stemming from lower interest rates. Prices were further accelerated by the supply of buildings driven by speculation, which... Continue reading "Spanish Housing Bubble: Causes and Consequences" »

Second Industrial Revolution (1870-1910)

Rapid Industrialization and Finance Capitalism

The period between 1870 and 1910 witnessed rapid industrialization fueled by the rise of the financial sector. This involved investment activities through banks and stock exchanges, creating capital without direct product manufacturing.

Innovations and Changes

Increased Production

• New Sources of Finance:
  • Joint-stock company: Individuals contribute capital, buy shares, and receive/lose profits proportionally.
  • Bank: Lent money to businesses with interest.
  • Stock exchange: Marketplace for buying and selling company shares.
• New Business Structures:
  • Cartels: Horizontal associations of companies in the same industry, collectively deciding production and prices.
  • Trusts: Vertical

Spain’s Population Changes

Spain’s population has changed in the past due to economic activities, use of the land and the history of the inhabitants. It is a country of contrasts where areas are highly populated as the service, industrial and coastal zones, or less populated like mountainous or arable areas.

Before 19th Century

It is difficult to know Spain's exact population before the first census, but we can estimate it thanks to the historical events that affected the society: the Black Death and poor harvests from the 14th century, the emigration waves to America in the 16th century or the smallpox epidemic from 1785.

Since 19th Century

Since the 19th century, the advances brought by the Industrial Revolution caused a continuous population... Continue reading "Population Changes in Spain: Historical Overview and Current Challenges" »