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

Asia's Urban Population

The urban population of Asia is equivalent to 2 billion people. Asia, therefore, contains the highest percentage of the world's urban population, as well as the largest cities:

• China: The urbanization process has accelerated enormously during the 21st century, thanks to the incorporation of the country into the market economy.
• Japan and South Korea: Japan is one of the developed countries with the highest percentage of urban population, and its capital, Tokyo, is the most populated in the world.
• India: India is the second most populated country in the world.
• Other Asian Countries: We should mention Karachi, Dhaka, Jakarta, and others.

Oceania's Urban Centers

In Oceania, the only cities with more than one million inhabitants... Continue reading "Urban Population Growth: Asia, Oceania, and Africa" »

The Age of Exploration: 1400-1750

The Age of Exploration, spanning from 1400 to 1750 A.D., marked a transformative period in European history. During these years, European perceptions of the world underwent a dramatic shift as explorers ventured into previously uncharted territories. Before this era, European understanding of the world was limited, with prevailing beliefs that the Earth was flat, the southern seas were boiling, and the world was smaller than it actually is. Additionally, religious motivations played a role, with the spread of Christianity against Islam being a significant factor.

The Quest for Spices

During the Middle Ages, the Crusades, religious wars between Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land, fostered an exchange of goods,... Continue reading "The Age of Exploration: Discoveries, Innovations, and the Quest for Spices" »

Vocabulary: Key Medieval Iberian Terms

Cortes or Parliament (Parlamento)

Representative assembly, consisting of members of the nobility, clergy, and inhabitants of the cities, summoned by a king who would ask them for taxes and recruitment of troops.

Guild (Gremio)

Medieval association of craftworkers with the same skill or trade, which controlled the manufacture and the sale of craft products.

Bourgeoisie (Burguesía)

New social group that emerged in medieval cities and consisted primarily of craftworkers and merchants.

Gothic (Gótico)

Artistic architectural style that spread throughout Western Europe between the 12th and the 15th centuries.

Fuero

Code of law in which the king or a lord granted a city certain privileges such as exemption from taxes.... Continue reading "Medieval Iberian History Key Terminology" »

Global Agricultural Systems Explained

Modern and Industrial Agriculture

This advanced form of agriculture is typical in "new countries" such as the US, Australia, and parts of Europe, as well as along some tropical coasts. It leverages technological, mechanization, and scientific advancements to achieve high yields with a minimum labor force. As a market-oriented agriculture, it strategically places crops to ensure profitable production for national and international markets.

Key Characteristics of Modern Agriculture

• High Production: Aims to sell produce in national and international markets.
• Technological Integration: Utilizes significant technological and scientific advancements, alongside extensive mechanization.
• Efficient Labor: Requires a minimum

The American Revolution's Influence on France

The Declaration of Independence of the US of America defended the inalienable rights of the citizen, the separation of powers, and the right to elect a government.

Enlightenment principles and the American Revolution gave the bourgeoisie new ideas. They proposed new forms of social organization and government. This led to the revolutionary cycle that began in France.

Causes of the French Revolution

• Social and Economic Crisis: 80% of poor peasants were upset with the land system, property rights, and excessive taxes.
• Financial Crisis: Price increases and financial strain caused by numerous wars.

The Revolution Begins (May 1789)

The Estates-General met in May 1789. They created the National Assembly, aiming... Continue reading "The French Revolution: Causes, Legacy, and Enlightenment Principles" »

South Africa: The Rainbow Nation's Origins

The first people to live in South Africa were the Khoikhoi and San people. They lived a quiet, peaceful life as hunters and farmers until the Dutch arrived in 1652.

Why Did the Dutch Settle in South Africa?

The Dutch arrived with explorer Jan van Riebeeck. They needed a place where they could resupply, get fresh provisions, and receive medical care on their long sea journeys between Europe and Asia.

What Was the Dutch East India Company (VOC)?

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was a powerful trading company. It imported enslaved people from Asia and Africa to help build a fort and establish a settlement at the Cape of Good Hope.

Reflecting the "Rainbow Nation": Piet, Samuel, and Adam

The concept of a "Rainbow... Continue reading "South Africa's Journey: History, Culture, and the Rainbow Nation" »

Economic Activities and Goods

• Economic Activities: These are activities carried out by humans in order to acquire goods that satisfy consumer needs.
• Economic Goods: These are products and services generated by economic activity.

Composition

• Consumable: Computers
• Non-durable: Pizza
• Capital Goods

Function

• Intermediate Goods: Wool from sheep
• Finished Goods: Shirt made with wool

Ownership

• Private: Belonging to an individual or entity
• Public: Belonging to everyone

Economic Systems

1. Capitalist: Characterized by a free market, private property, freedom to work and hire, and state intervention (on a small scale).
2. Communist: Controlled by the state.
3. Subsistence Economy: Based on self-consumption, typically found in the poorest and most isolated areas of the world.

Economic

GLOBAL WARNING:

The increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases. Global warming will change the patterns of the weather worldwide.

DEFORESTATION:

It is the effect of massive cut down of trees, usually a man-made action that damages the ecosystem. Reducing deforestation is one way to mitigate the impact of climate change.

URBAN SPRAWL:

Physical spread or growth of a city into outlying regions. Low growth prices and urban sprawl are all contributing factors.

SCORCHED EARTH:

Burnt ground or land with the aim of getting more or increasing crop areas. We have gone from settlement to scorched earth.

SOIL EROSION:

It is the wear of the ground that produces different processes on the Earth's surface because of the... Continue reading "Global Warning, Deforestation, Urban Sprawl, Scorched Earth, Soil Erosion" »

Unit 5 Vocabulary

• Advance payment: A sum of money that is paid some time before you get the thing you want to buy.
• Calculate: To discover an amount or number using mathematics.
• Challenge: Something that is difficult and that tests someone's ability or determination.
• Climate change: The way the Earth’s weather is changing.
• Dependence: When you need someone or something in order to exist or continue as before.
• Destruction: When something is destroyed.
• Drawback: A problem or disadvantage.
• Endangered species: A type of animal or plant that soon may not exist because there are very few now alive.
• Estimate the cost: To use any information that you have to guess how much something will cost.
• Focus on: To give a lot of attention to one particular subject or

Left-Wing Ideologies

Two new left ideologies emerged in the mid-nineteenth century:

Socialism and Anarchism

These two movements:

• They believed that inequality and injustice were due to private property, defended by the bourgeoisie.
• They proposed the disappearance of the State and Private Property.

Socialism

Founders: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

Its objective is to end private property (bourgeoisie), through a revolution of the proletariat to establish a dictatorship of the proletariat and abolish private property, disappearing the classes of the societies and thus the State would disappear.

Main works: The Capital, The Communist Manifesto

Anarchism

Founder: Mikhail Bakunin

His goal was to achieve maximum individual freedom by eliminating everything... Continue reading "Left-Wing Ideologies: Socialism and Anarchism in the 19th Century" »