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

Section A

1. • a) True: Egypt's population is expected to double by 2050.
   • b) False: The government is keen to encourage people to settle in the desert by moving ahead with an expensive plan to reclaim 3.4 million acres of desert over the next 10 years.
2. • a) Tarek el-Kowmey is proud of his crops. He farms near the Development Centre that is working with sophisticated techniques to green the desert. He cultivates his crops on fertile land that used to be just sand.
   • b) Desert tourism can be more profitable (it brings in more money) and will not destroy fragile flora and fauna (possible attractions for tourists).
3. Vocabulary/Grammar:
   • a) vast
   • b) likely
   • c) because
   • d) rather than
4. Sentence Completion/Correction:
   • a) as... from
   • b) travelling/traveling... most ancient.

Understanding the Old Regime

The term Old Regime (or Ancien Régime) designates the period of history before the French Revolution, the liberal revolutions, and industrialization.

Defining the Old Regime

It extends from the late fifteenth century to the late eighteenth century. In Spain during this period, the Austrian and Bourbon dynasties reigned.

Government and Power

The Old Regime was characterized by absolute monarchy as the form of government. However, this was mediated by the strong presence of the Church in public life and the existence of representative institutions at different levels, such as the courts.

The Agrarian Economy

The economy was largely agrarian, engaging more than 80% of the population. The principal landowners were the nobility... Continue reading "The Old Regime Explained" »

St Kilda: Life and Evacuation

Introduction to St Kilda

110 miles off the west coast of Scotland is a small group of volcanic islands. They are variously called Hirta, Boreray, and other local names, but together they are known as St Kilda. The cliffs rise to more than 400 meters (1400 feet) above the gray water, and this is home to millions of seabirds. Until 1930, a small colony of Scottish people lived there, whose community had survived for over 2000 years.

Life on the Islands

Life was precarious on St Kilda, located in the Atlantic Ocean well beyond the protective barrier of the Outer Hebrides. With an average January temperature of -10 to -20 ºC, the islanders were often isolated for months at a time by bad weather. They lived as they always... Continue reading "St Kilda: The Last Days of an Island Community" »

Spain's Rich Natural Heritage

Geographical Distribution of Key Regions

The diverse natural landscapes of Spain encompass a wide array of provinces and autonomous communities, including: A Coruña, Lugo, Orense, Asturias, Cantabria, Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa, Álava, Huesca, La Rioja, Navarra, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Tarragona, Madrid, Segovia, Burgos, and León.

Mountain Plant Species: Characteristics and Habitat

Certain mountain plant species, typically found between 1000 and 2000 meters above sea level, poorly tolerate extreme heat and cold. These species require high humidity and prefer calcareous soils, although they also adapt to both calcareous and siliceous substrates. They are primarily distributed across the Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees,... Continue reading "Spain's Natural Heritage: Biodiversity, Protected Areas, and Key Species" »

Spanish Industry: General Characteristics

This section outlines the key characteristics and challenges facing Spanish industry.

1.1: Shortage of Raw Materials

Spain is deficient in raw materials of organic origin. Despite a variety of subsurface materials, their scarcity and poor quality necessitate imports. Spain must import most minerals, with only industrial rocks available in surplus for export.

1.2: Energy Deficit

The production and consumption of energy have experienced continued, spectacular growth since the 1960s. To secure the necessary energy for the country's operation, due to limited primary resources and a lack of domestic oil reserves, Spain must import oil, gas, coal, and electricity. The level of supply, therefore, is very precarious... Continue reading "Spanish Industry: Characteristics and Challenges" »

2 Emirate and Caliphate: The IP invasion was due to two factors: the dynamic expansion of Islam and the weakness of the Visigoths. The Gothic king Rodrigo was defeated in 711 by the Arab and Berber army led by Tarik. He later managed to conquer all the IP because Hispanics hoped Muslims would be less harsh. Only a few remained in the Christian faith, while others converted to Islam. Al-Andalus became a province of the Caliphate of Damascus. The Umayyads were replaced by the Abbasids in 750, who made Baghdad the capital of the Caliphate. Abderraman fled to Al-Andalus and created the independent Emirate of Cordoba. His successors boosted the economy and culture and improved the infrastructure of the Romans. In 1031, internal struggles led to... Continue reading "The Rise and Cultural Impact of Al-Andalus in History" »

Inca Architecture

The Inca architecture is the architectural style that was in effect during the Inca Empire, especially from the reign of Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui until the Spanish conquest (1438-1533).

The architecture developed in the Inca state was characterized by its simplicity of form, solidity, symmetry, and how its buildings harmonized with the landscape. Unlike coastal societies such as the Chimu, the Incas used a fairly sober decoration. The main material used was stone. In simpler constructions, it was placed uncut, but not in the most complex and important ones. Inca builders developed techniques to build huge walls, a mosaic of carved stone blocks that fit perfectly, without even a needle being able to pass through. Often these... Continue reading "Inca Architecture: Characteristics and Building Types" »

Barcelona's Geographic and Urban Layout

Barcelona is situated between the Mediterranean Sea (southeast) and the Serra de Collserola (northwest), which is part of the Catalan Coastal Range. The city is located by the sea in a small natural harbor, indicating its commercial origins, near a small mountain, Montjuïc.

The Historic Heart: Ciutat Vella

The historic center constitutes a very small part of the modern city. It is divided into two parts by a broad street, La Rambla, which marks the limit of the oldest section. It has a rather irregular flat plan, characterized by narrow streets, high building density, and clustered buildings. The part east of La Rambla is the location of monuments and cultural tourism attractions. The other side of La Rambla,... Continue reading "Barcelona's Urban Structure and Neighborhood Development" »

Understanding Tourism and Its Growth

Tourism involves the temporary displacement of people for more than 24 hours, usually carried out for leisure purposes. Since World War II, it has experienced tremendous growth, especially in developed countries, where it became a mass phenomenon and holds significant economic importance.

Causes of Tourism Growth

• High Standard of Living: Provides additional income and free time for leisure. In affluent countries, the five-day work week and paid vacations became generalized.
• Improved Transportation: Transport options are becoming faster and cheaper, facilitating travel.
• Easier Movement: Simplified customs and border procedures between countries encourage the movement of people.
• Infrastructure Development: The increase