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

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

Defining Developed and Developing Countries

Developed countries experience relatively high economic growth and security, often measured by GDP and industrialization. Examples include the United States, Canada, Japan, and most European nations.

Developing countries lack the same level of economic growth and security. Many African, Asian, and South American countries fall into this category.

Globalization and its Effects

Globalization connects countries, facilitates cultural exchange, enables global production, and expands job opportunities. It involves the free transfer of capital, goods, and services across borders.

Advantages of Globalization

• Spreads technology
• Increases corporate profitability
• Promotes cultural exchange
• Expands markets for goods

Multinational Companies

Germany: Siemens (electrical), Ford, Mannesmann (tools)

Italy: Pirelli (rubber), Dell'Aqua

Japan: NEC Corporation (tech & communication)

Greece: Rally Brothers

US: Singer (sewing machine), International Harvester, Swift and Co (meat), ITT (communication)

UK: British Petroleum, South Sea Company (trade), EIC (trade), Levant Company (trade), Royal African Company

France: Saint Gobain (glass), Suez Canal Company

Spain: Grifols+Esteve (pharmaceutical), Roca, Cirsa (casinos), Ficosa (cars), Puig (perfumes), Catalana Occident (insurance), Celsa (construction)

Effects of World War

• Restrictions in trade
• Blockades
• Decrease in world trade
• Liquidation of foreign owned assets in war-involved countries
• Differences in prices and expensive shipping

VOCABULARY

UNIT 1

• Technological park
• Global warming
• Outskirts of the city
• Rainforests
• Young people
• Glaciers
• Pedestrianised area
• Sea ice
• Quality of life
• Sea levels
• New Projects
• Coral reefs
• Temperature
• Drought
• Extreme weather

UNIT 2

• Gateways
• Bottle
• Box
• Tin
• Carton
• Jar
• Packet
• Pot
• Tube
• Aluminium
• Cardboard
• Glass
• Metal
• Paper
• Plastic

UNIT 3

• International hub
• Specialised pole
• Regional pole
• Established capitals
• Re-invented capitals
• Knowledge hubs
• Profit
• Unemployment
• Poverty
• Famine
• War social situation
• Common sense
• Writing lines
• Detention
• Exclusion
• Swearing
• Suspension
• Hitting
• Not doing homework
• Bullying

A habit

Skill

A reminder

To delete

Terrible

To divide

A backup

Population Dynamics

Key Population Concepts

Population: The number of people inhabiting a particular place, influenced by physical environment, settlement patterns, economic activities, and history.

Population Density: The total number of inhabitants in a territory (absolute population) divided by the area it occupies in square kilometers.

Natality: The number of births in a population over a year.

Mortality: The number of deaths in a population over a year.

Birth Rate: The ratio of live births in a year to the average total population of that year.

Death Rate: The ratio of deaths to the population of a particular area during a specific period.

Life Expectancy: The average period a person may expect to live.

Migratory Change: Population movements to... Continue reading "Understanding Population Dynamics: Distribution, Growth, and Composition" »

❖ How does the availability of resources and the type of landscapes affect the nature of warfare?