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

- INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM : Capitalism is an economic system in wich the means of production are predominantly privately owned. Capitalism appears in various forms with various degrees of governmental control, bur its basic theoty is that of a free market. Economic activities respond to the free initiative of individuals, whose objectiveis the persuit of maximum profit. 

HOW DID THE PRODUCTION OF GOODS CHANGE DURING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION?

aThe driving forces of industrialisation(48) The Industrial Revolution started in Great Britain in the mid-18th century. The following factors explain why Britain pioneered the revolution, overtaking neighbouring countries and becoming the first industrialised country ('the workshop of the world'):

• A political system in which the power of the monarchy had been limited by Parliament since the 17th century and in which the bourgeoisie had a lot of influence.
• Population growth that had led to a rise in demand and an abundance of labour for the new factories.
• An abundance of resources and raw materials, especially coal, which became the main source of energy.
• An extensive transport

North Africa

Causes for the Rise of the Chinese Economy

The Chinese government implemented several major policy decisions that fueled the rapid rise of the Chinese economy:

1. Ending Isolation (1972): The first major decision was to end its political and economic isolation by establishing relations with the United States in 1972.
2. The Four Modernizations (1973): China's leader, Premier Zhou Enlai, proposed the "Four Modernizations" focusing on key sectors:
   • Agriculture
   • Industry
   • Science and Technology
   • Military
3. Open Door Policy and Reforms (1978): By 1978, leader Deng Xiaoping announced the ‘Open Door’ policy and comprehensive economic reforms. The primary goal of this policy was to generate higher productivity through investments of capital and technology from abroad.

A General Look at Europe

Europe is a relatively small continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. It is separated from Asia by the Ural Mountains and from Africa by the Strait of Gibraltar. Notably, it is the continent with the lowest average altitude, at 290 meters.

Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe extends from the Carpathian Mountains to the Ural Mountains (west to east). Its northern border is defined by the Arctic Ocean and the Baltic Sea, while its southern border includes the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains (home to Europe's highest peak, Mount Elbrus, at 5,633m), and the Black Sea. This region is part of the vast Great European Plain, which stretches from Belgium to the Urals.

Major Rivers and Lakes

The rivers in Eastern Europe... Continue reading "The Physical Geography of Europe: Mountains, Rivers & Coasts" »

World Population: Recent Demographic Trends

Global Trends

Recent demographic shifts show significant changes worldwide:

• The birth rate has fallen throughout the world.
• The fertility rate has also fallen.
• There has been a decline in the death rate in most regions.
• Life expectancy has risen because of advances in medicine, nutrition, and hygiene.

Characteristics in Developed Countries

• More working women.
• Contraception is widely available.
• Families delay having children.
• It is expensive to raise a family.
• Social values are changing.
• Developed countries have an ageing population.

Characteristics of Less Developed Countries

• The birth rate is very high.
• Infant mortality rates are high.
• Many families work in agriculture.
• The birth rate is influenced by religious and

The Tertiary Sector

The tertiary sector encompasses activities that do not produce material goods but provide services to individuals, companies, and the government. This sector is a key indicator of a country's economic development and employs a significant portion of the workforce in developed nations.

Importance of the Tertiary Sector

The tertiary sector plays a crucial role in modern economies. In developed countries, it provides jobs for approximately 60% of the active population. For instance, in Spain, it accounts for 76% of employment and over 72% of GDP. A thriving tertiary sector is a hallmark of a developed economy, often accompanied by a welfare state.

Classification of Services

Services within the tertiary sector can be categorized... Continue reading "The Tertiary Sector: A Comprehensive Guide" »

Species Roles in Communities

Niche and Species Roles

A species' niche defines its way of life within a community, including its role and interactions. Species roles can be categorized as:

• Generalist: Tolerates a wide range of conditions and resources.
• Specialist: Has a narrow range of tolerance, specific food and habitat requirements, and low reproductive rates.

Specific Roles

• Native Species: Originate in a particular area.
• Non-native Species: Introduced to an area, either accidentally or intentionally.
• Indicator Species: Sensitive to environmental changes, serving as a biological "smoke alarm."
• Keystone Species: Play a critical role, influencing the types and abundance of other species (e.g., pollinators, top predators).
• Foundation Species: Create or

Understanding Economic Activity

Economic activity refers to the processes undertaken by humans to acquire goods and services that satisfy consumer needs.

Economic Goods and Services

Economic goods are products and services generated by economic activity. Products are tangible goods, often derived from natural resources. Services are activities carried out by humans to benefit society.

Economic goods are typically classified by:

• Composition
• Function
• Ownership

Factors of Production

Factors of production are the essential resources required for the generation of economic goods and services. These factors typically fall into three main groups:

• Natural Resources: Resources provided by nature, which can be renewable, partially renewable, or non-renewable.
• Human

Economic Impacts of the Black Death in England

A Turning Point in Medieval Europe

These are wheat price data and wages in England, expressed in index numbers. They provide insights into the general history of agriculture in Western Europe between the Middle Ages (500) and industrialization (1850), specifically focusing on the period of 1320-1479. This era encompasses the High Middle Ages, the period before, during, and after the Great Famine and Black Death of the fourteenth century.

The data reveals a clear turning point around 1340-1360, coinciding with the onset of the devastating crisis of the fourteenth century. This period witnessed a significant shift in the economic landscape of England and Western Europe.

Key Themes:

• The evolution of the