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

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" »

Legal Terminology

History of Migration

• The first migration was in 1550 of the slave trade from African coasts.
• The second was after the Second World War.

History of Citizenship

• It started in Ancient Greece, where those who had legal rights were considered citizens.

Citizenship and Nationality

• It is a bond between an individual and the state.
• It is the state of being a member of a particular country and having rights.
• It is a particular legal bond.

Ideal

• It is a legal-political relationship linking a person to a state, which is a legal bond because it determines certain rights and obligations.

Types of Nationality

• By law
• By naturalization
• By dependency

Emigration

• A movement of an individual or group of people from one place to another. It could be internal or

Dream Holidays:

A) Safari: The Masai Mara, Kenya: The Masai Mara must be the most spectacular wildlife pageant on earth. Each year, when the rainy season ends in May, hundreds of thousands of wildebeests mass together. They move in search of greener pastures from the Serengeti in Tanzania north of the wide open grasslands of Kenya´s Masai Mara. Along with migrating herds of zebra, antelope and gazelle, there are sometimes more than a million animals on the move at one time. You can follow their journey on a horseback safari. Riding through the unspoiled Lolita Hills and the great Rolling plains of the Mara, you´ll pass through the manyattas (villages) of the nomadic Masai people who protect the animals they believe to be god's cattle. Some... Continue reading "Top 4 Unique Holiday Destinations Around the World" »

The extent of urban lifestyle and spaces occupied by the cities has led to large urbanized areas. Metropolitan areas are organized around a large city. The big city concentrates the more valuable tertiary and the area supports different uses of industrial, residential, and services. Conurbation is the spatial union of cities with a similar size. Urban area is a diffuse conurbation in which cities fail to bind spatially.

Urban problems include housing, water and light supplies, equipment that are deficient in the neighborhoods, traffic and public transport, air pollution, noise, sewage, household garbage, and industrial waste, slums and crime, shantytowns, overcrowding. These problems can be addressed through land use and urban planning. Every... Continue reading "Urban Expansion and Problems: Land Use and Urban Planning" »

Mental health is something very important to which we give too little importance. The pandemic has increased mental illness exponentially.

The pandemic has been very hard for everyone, and as a result of this and other situations like stress or work pressure, there are more people with mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. It is therefore very important to ask for help, normalize the situation, and go to a psychologist. There should also be a change at the legislative level, as many people cannot afford to pay a psychologist and therefore are not treated.

Going to a psychologist should be a right, not a privilege.

The current situation of our planet is truly worrying. This situation worsens every day, and many citizens and politicians... Continue reading "Understanding the Impact of Mental Health and Pollution" »

Oil and Natural Gas

Oil and natural gas are non-renewable fossil fuels formed by decomposition. This process has not stopped. Deposits of natural gas and oil are often found in the same place.

The biggest oil reserves are in the Persian Gulf, Venezuela, and Canada. Gas reserves are more diversified. Demand for oil has tripled in the last fifty years. The United States is the biggest consumer, followed by China and Japan. The consumption of natural gas has increased since the oil crisis of 1973.

Environmental Damage

This is mainly linked to oil, which causes atmospheric pollution and oil spills.

Dependence

On the energy-producing countries. This makes industrial countries vulnerable to sudden price increases.

Coal

Coal is a fossil fuel formed by the... Continue reading "Global Energy Sources and Industrial Powers" »

World Population

The total number of people living on earth. This figure reached 7 billion in 2012.

Population History

1. Increased slowly before 18^th century. Black death interrupted it.
2. 18^th - 19^th century: contemporary age. Population grew in Europe and North America, improved agriculture.
3. 20^th century: contemporary age.
4. Now.
5. Future.

Population Density

Total population/area km. Average population density: 50 inhabitants per km².

Population Distribution

Uneven due to physical and human factors.

• Physical: Some types of natural environment usually have high population. Favourable conditions include abundant water, a temperate climate, low fertile land, and mineral resources. On the other hand, regions with little water or extreme temperatures are less densely