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

Spanish Exploration and Settlement

Most Europeans saw the Americas as virgin land ripe for exploitation by settlers, and their mission to civilize the indigenous peoples and put them to work.

The Columbian Exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and human societies - including ideas about religion, time, and land ownership and use - had far-reaching effects.

1 Christopher Columbus

The discoverer of America: Columbus Day is celebrated as an official holiday in most states on the second Monday of October, commemorating his landing on San Salvador (Bahamas) on 12 October 1492, although he never set foot on U.S. territory and Viking sailors had visited Newfoundland 500 years before.

Many Native Americans regard Columbus and other European explorers and... Continue reading "European Exploration and Settlement of the Americas" »

English Language Practice Exercises

Why the Leopard Got Its Spots

Grammar Practice

1. They don't pay scientists much.
2. She can't have chosen that dress.
3. Ann is getting more and more scared.
4. I wish I had called him yesterday.

Vocabulary

• Noun from "goal": aim
• Word from the same root as "survive": survivor

Writing Task: Wildlife Protection

Would you like to have a job related to wildlife protection?

Work related to terrestrial life would help preserve it. Nowadays, we should care for it and not end up destroying it. Many people think that nature takes care of itself, but they are wrong, and this attitude will bring consequences in the future.

Firstly, I want to say that this problem should be given much more importance than it currently receives. Caring for species... Continue reading "Grammar, Vocabulary, and Writing Practice" »

LANDSCAPE PAINTING 19TH CENTURY

Royal Academy founded in 1768; Foundation of the Water-colour society in 1804; Painters fought for more recognition compared with the other arts (literature and architecture in particular); New National Gallery was founded in 1824.

Caspar David Friedrich

1- German romantic landscape painter. Best known for allegorical landscapes which typically feature contemplative figures silhouetted against night skies, morning mists, barren trees or gothic or megalithic ruins. 2- Topographical interest endured 3- Travel at home and abroad, the search for the picturesque and primitive, the medieval. Ex: Wanderer above the Sea of Fog (1818): In the foreground, a young man stands upon a rocky precipice with his back to the viewer.... Continue reading "19th Century Landscape Painting and Romanticism" »

The Viking Resistance of Wessex

The Vikings defeated all the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms with one exception: Wessex. How was Wessex able to resist the Viking attacks?

Initially, the most important answer is the element of time. Because the attacks came from the North to the South, Wessex had time to anticipate the attacks and prepare. They were not caught by surprise.

Wessex adopted several key measures to combat the Vikings:

Defensive Measures

1. The Creation of Burhs

Wessex created strong defensive positions called Burhs. These structures provided a safe haven for people to defend themselves. Usually, these were created with the same structure (a kind of cross). We know that there were around 30 Burhs in Wessex thanks to a document of the age. In the... Continue reading "The Rise of Wessex: How a Kingdom Resisted the Vikings" »

Ireland

: The situation was very similar to Scotland one’s. Problems started in 1689 when James II counted with support in France, so a battle against William of Orange took place; it was the Battle of Boyne that ended with William’s victory.

It was a period of colonization and England used the colonies to obtain benefits. All of that is going to be known as the First British Empire. The 18^th century was a period of tremendous change. One thing that we need to do is to explain how things stand outside the British Isles.

For that we have to go back to the year 1588, which is the year of the Great Armada. That is an important year because this is the moment when England started the gradual rise for the power of the sea supremacy. There were... Continue reading "The First British Empire: Colonization and Sea Supremacy" »

Characteristics of Global Transport Distribution

The global distribution of transport is characterized by significant contrasts:

• Poor countries often have underdeveloped road and railway networks.
• Rich countries, in contrast, possess well-developed road and railway infrastructure.
• Most major ports are concentrated in key economic centers, connecting these centers with each other and with raw material-producing countries.

Key Features of Spain's Service Sector

• Contributes 68% of the GDP.
• Employs 65% of the active population.
• By region, Madrid has the highest concentration of services, followed by Catalonia, Andalusia, and Valencia.

Financial Services in Spain

• Highly competitive sector.
• The National Bank handles the majority of business.
• Four stock exchanges:

Child Labor in India: Legal Restrictions and Reality

Can a Child Under 12 Work as a Housemaid?

No. There is a government ban/law prohibiting it.

Why Might the Government's Measure Not Solve the Entire Problem?

Because in many cases, exploitation is never reported or goes unnoticed. The actual number of working children is likely much higher than official estimates.

True or False Statements

(0.5 points per answer)

Statement 1: Dhiraj has to work the whole night.

True. "His 12-hour work shift begins at 9 pm."

Statement 2: His family does not need the money he earns.

False. "Dhiraj's pay is crucial in the family's battle to survive."

Statement 3: In India, some children start working when they are five years old.

True. "Parents say poverty forces them to... Continue reading "Child Labor and Exploitation: Laws, Realities, and Solutions" »

Canary Islands Provinces and Institutions

This thematic description represents the provinces of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, highlighting the geographic division of the Canary archipelago into two provinces. Spain has a total of 44 provinces, among which are the provinces of Las Palmas (capital: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (capital: Santa Cruz de Tenerife). These two provinces comprise the Canary archipelago, which in turn is formed by the islands of El Hierro (capital: Valverde), La Palma (capital: Santa Cruz de la Palma), La Gomera (capital: San Sebastián de la Gomera), Tenerife (capital: Santa Cruz de Tenerife), Gran Canaria (capital: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), Lanzarote (capital: Arrecife), and Fuerteventura... Continue reading "Canary Islands Provinces, Islands, and Governance" »

Historical, Economic, and Social Factors in Rwanda's Development

Historical Reason: Rwanda's period as a Belgian colony for over fifty years significantly impacted its development. Profits were often repatriated to Belgium, hindering local investment and growth.

Economic Reason: The prevalence of HIV/AIDS affects a substantial portion of the population. This reduces the workforce, decreases tax revenue, and increases government healthcare expenditure.

Social Reason: Improved living conditions and public health initiatives in developed nations reduce the spread of diseases.

Environmental Reason: Cooler climates can reduce the prevalence of certain viruses and insects, potentially impacting public health.

Human Development Index (HDI)

First calculated... Continue reading "Rwanda's Development Challenges: Historical, Economic & Social Factors" »

Trade

Internal Trade

Internal trade is widespread in Spain. Small businesses and traditional trade activities previously dominated. However, in recent years, internal trade has undergone a major restructuring characterized by:

• Modernization driven by new consumption habits and credit cards.
• Spread of new commercial forms like shopping malls.
• Challenges for traditional small businesses competing with supermarkets.

Foreign Trade

Foreign trade has experienced phenomenal growth. The Spanish trade balance remains in deficit, meaning imports exceed exports. Imports include capital goods, energy supplies, and consumer goods. Exports include manufactured goods, foodstuffs, industrial machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, etc.

Transportation

Road Transport

The... Continue reading "Spain's Trade Dynamics and Transport Networks" »