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

Political Changes in Europe

England

A civil war for the throne, known as the War of the Roses, raged between the Houses of York and Lancaster. The monarchy grew stronger during the reign of Henry VIII.

Spain

The Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, unified all of the Iberian Peninsula except for Portugal.

Characteristics of Authoritarian Monarchy

• National Territory: Considered the patrimony of the royal family.
• Bureaucracy: Managed by civil servants who controlled the territory.
• Permanent Court: Ended the tradition of traveling courts from the Middle Ages.
• Permanent Army: Established a standing army.
• Diplomatic Service: Utilized ambassadors for international relations.
• Taxation System: Implemented a system for collecting

The first cities began around 3000 BC at the end of the Neolithic period and the beginning of the Copper Age, in areas of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China. The main reason for cities to appear...

Greek Cities

• The importance of the city for the Greeks.
• Chora (surrounding area that provides food to the city)
• Astý (where people live) and the Acropolis
• Agorá (an open area where the market is located. We also find the Ekklesía, which is an assembly)

Roman Cities (The City of the 17)

• The cities were divided by two main streets: the Cardo and the Decumanus.
• The Forum (where we find the market, religious buildings, and most important buildings)
• Gates (across the gates, we can see the beautiful Roman causeways leading to the Forum)

Medieval Cities

• In 476

Entertainment

Movies

Saban’s Power Rangers

The world is in danger and five children turn into superheroes.

Beauty and the Beast

Fans of Emma Watson will love her in the role of the Beauty.

The Boss Baby

He must destroy an organization called Puppy Co. which thinks families need pets more than babies.

Prison Break Season 5

A new season is here!

Music

Shakira

Her first album was released when she was 13 years old. With 23 albums, including her first English album, her latest single is "Chantaje".

Goodbye Stranger

Seventh grade for New Yorkers at Bridge.

Clean Bandit

Mixes electronic music with classical pieces.

Rag’n’ Bone Man

Old jazz/soul and blues music.

Animals

Interview with Huan Huan (the Panda)

They are timid. It likes swimming and is a good climber.... Continue reading "Recycling, Animals, and Entertainment: A Compilation of Fun Facts" »

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

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" »

Population, Society, and Daily Life in Spain (1940-1975)

Demographic and Urban Growth (1940-1975)

Between 1940 and 1975, Spain's population significantly increased from 26 million to 35.4 million.

Initially, after the Civil War, population growth was slow due to several factors:

• Exile
• Difficult economic situation
• Illnesses and malnutrition

From 1960 onwards, the economic situation improved, leading to an increased rhythm of demographic growth.

Migration Movements

Spain experienced significant internal and external migration during this period:

• Rural Exodus: Over 4 million people abandoned agrarian areas in inland Spain. They migrated to industrial or tourist regions such as the Basque Country, the Ebro Valley, Madrid, and the Mediterranean coast. This

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.