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

Wholesale Trade

Wholesale trade concentrates production and distributes it to retailers. The most significant development in this sector has been the creation of warehouse clubs (cash & carry or discount chains), mainly in food, beverages, and tobacco. These establishments seek central locations for production and consumption and serve areas of various sizes (municipal or regional). The regions with the most developed wholesale trade are Catalonia, Andalusia, Valencia, and Madrid.

Retail Trade

Retail trade involves selling directly to consumers. This branch exhibits the greatest contrast between traditional and modern trade. Traditional retail trade accounts for 90% of all retail. It consists of small establishments located in older buildings,... Continue reading "Understanding Commerce, Transportation, and Tourism in Spain" »

Types of Services and Subsectors

They are classified into two categories:

• Private Services: Provided by private firms, funded by payments from service requesters. Their main purpose is to obtain economic benefit.
• Public Services: Provided by the state, funded through taxes. Their goal is to deliver goods to society, rather than profit. State funding of basic services for the whole population gives rise to the welfare state.

Subsectors

• Business Services: Banking, insurance, consulting, etc.
• Distribution: Transport and storage, communications, etc.
• Social Services: Health, education, etc.
• Consumer Services: Retail, hospitality, culture, etc.

Transportation and its Characteristics

Transportation is an activity that moves people and goods between two or... Continue reading "Service Sectors, Transportation, Trade, and Tourism in Spain" »

The Concept of Urban Quality:

Number of Inhabitants: The number of inhabitants is crucial for understanding a human agglomeration, however, there's no consensus on a minimum population size.

Density: City centers are characterized by high population density in a confined space. In contrast, residential neighborhoods with detached houses have a discontinuous structure and are considered low-density.

Economic Activity: While cities often have primary sector activities, they are characterized by the diversity of their inhabitants' economic activities.

Territorial Influence: Cities concentrate activities, becoming centers of power, creativity, and opportunity. This concentration drives population flow.

Architecture: City architecture is characterized... Continue reading "Understanding Urban Quality: Inhabitants, Activities, and Agents" »

Ecology Basics and Biomes

Fundamental Ecology Terms

Environment

Environment is the framework within which living beings develop. Everyone needs a minimum for survival, as the difference.

Ecology

Ecology is the science studying the interactions of organisms with the environment.

Population

Population is a group of individuals of the same species occupying a particular geographic area.

What happens when population increases?

Intraspecific competition.

What is intraspecific competition?

Occurs between individuals of the same population to obtain resources.

Competition (Interspecific)

Competition takes place between two populations competing for food resources.

Ecological Interactions

Mutualism

Mutualism occurs between two species and is beneficial for both.

Parasitism

Parasitism:... Continue reading "Ecology Basics and Biomes Explained" »

Agricultural Landscapes of the Valencia Region

The map shows the types of agricultural landscapes to be found in the Valencia region. We can distinguish between four groups:

• Coastal Areas: In the coastal areas, the most intensive irrigation can be found. Crops include citrus, vegetables, and rice, favored by the mild climate and thermal effects regularizing the sea. These are flat areas such as the Castellón, the central plain of Valencia, or South Alicante.
• Intermediate Territory (200-600 meters): Wooded farming dominates, with carob, olive, and almond trees, vineyards, and small vegetable gardens being the most important. These territories are found in the interior corridors of the Maestrat, Palancia, the high valley, foothills of the Turia,

The Demographic Imbalance

The demographic imbalance:

* The rapid growth of developing countries hinders development due to strong investments required for food, education, and health. As a result, these countries frequently experience hunger, malnutrition, illiteracy, and a low average standard of living. Most poor countries have adopted birth control policies.

* The aging of developed countries entails high costs in pensions, health, and social support. Many countries have adopted measures to encourage births.

The population increase, along with the excessive consumption of resources, causes a severe strain on the environment.

- Migration: population movements from the place of origin to another destination, redistributing the population in the

_{^{Natural Resources: Essentials for Human Needs}}

_{^{Humans rely on nature for resources, categorized as:}}

• _{^{Non-renewable: Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas).}}
• _{^{Renewable: Solar, wind, tides.}}
• _{^{Potentially Renewable: Fresh water, arable land, forests, fisheries.}}

_{^{Depletion of resources stems from:}}

1. _{^{Disproportionate population growth and fossil fuel dependence.}}
2. _{^{Excessive use of potentially renewable resources (e.g., overconsumption of water, intensive farming, deforestation).}}

_{^{Countermeasures:}}

• _{^{Global: Renewable energy, organic farming, aquaculture, environmental education, protected ecosystems.}}
• _{^{Individual: Resource efficiency (fuel, water, electricity).}}

_{^{Growth vs. Development}}

_{^{Economic growth doesn't always equate to development. Western economic systems have led to}}

Tourist Areas in Spain

Importance of tourism: Tourism is a major economic driver for Spain, offsetting the balance of payments deficit. The tourism boom began in the mid-1950s, and the number of visitors has grown steadily since. Today, the Spanish economy is heavily reliant on tourism, with revenues equivalent to 30% of total exports. Without tourism, the country's economic growth would be significantly lower.

Factors in Spanish Tourism Development

Spain has always held a certain exotic appeal for educated Europeans, reinforced by its rich Arab culture, castles, and historical sites. Today, the attraction to Spain is mainly due to its climate, with dry summers, high temperatures, and abundant sunny days. The long coastline, scenic beauty, wealth... Continue reading "Spain Tourism: Key Areas, Development & Challenges" »

Active Population in Spain

The active population comprises individuals who are able and willing to work. This group is divided into:

• Employed population: People who work and receive compensation.
• Unemployed population: Individuals actively seeking employment.

The inactive population includes those unable to work or who do not receive a salary, such as retirees, individuals under 16, students, homemakers, and the sick.

Primary Sector (5% of Employment)

Agriculture

In Spain, abundant dryland crops (secano) include cereals, vines, and olive trees, predominantly in Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, and Andalusia. Irrigated fruits and vegetables are grown in Andalusia, Valencia, and Murcia.

Livestock

The most abundant livestock is pigs, raised mainly... Continue reading "Understanding Spain's Active Population and Economic Sectors" »