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

Spain in the 19th Century: A Period of Transformation

Population Growth and Urbanization

Spain experienced a significant population increase of 60% during the 19th century, particularly in regions like Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia, the Canary Islands, and the Basque Country. This growth was fueled by several factors, including:

• Decreased mortality rates
• Increased agricultural production
• Improved diet and hygiene
• Medical advancements

Simultaneously, a wave of migrant farmers contributed to increased urbanization. The driving forces behind this migration were:

• Abolition of the manorial system
• Concentration of land ownership
• Harsh living conditions in rural areas
• Technical changes in agriculture
• Improvements in agricultural transportation

The migration... Continue reading "Spain's 19th Century: Population, Agriculture, and Industry" »

The Bronze Age in Spain

The Bronze Age in Spain, also known as the MegaLoad period, is characterized by the discovery of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. This discovery allowed the manufacture of stronger utensils and weapons. The use of this new metal produced social differences, as shown by the funerary offerings found in tombs. The most representative cultures of this stage are Los Millares and El Argar.

At the end of the second millennium BC, the El Argar culture gradually disappeared, marking the beginning of the final period of the Bronze Age. The area received numerous influences from within. The chief influence would come from the kingdom of Tartessos at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River.

Megalithic Monuments of the Bronze Age

During... Continue reading "Bronze Age in Spain: Pre-Roman Towns & Tartessos" »

Cultural Evolution of Indigenous Peoples in Venezuela

While the indigenous peoples located in what is now the territory of Venezuela may not have attained the same degree of development as other American cultures like the Mayas, Aztecs, or Incas, their evolution is still evident. Aboriginal communities in Venezuela experienced a gradual development through the exchange of techniques between different groups.

Stages of Cultural Development

Agricultural Training

This stage, between 1500 and 1000 BC, consisted of small communities of hunters, fishermen, and gatherers of wild fruit and seashells.

Beginning of Agricultural Activity

Around 1000 BC, communities began combining hunting, fishing, and gathering with the rudimentary cultivation of wild fruits,... Continue reading "Cultural Evolution and Indigenous Areas of Venezuela" »

Population Dynamics

Vegetative Growth

The difference between birth and mortality rates. Various metrics measure factors related to the natural movement of a population.

Population Density

The relationship between the number of inhabitants and the surface area (in square kilometers) they occupy.

Labor Force

The group of people aged 16 and over who are available to supply labor for the production of goods and services and are actively seeking employment.

Unemployment Rate

The percentage of the workforce that is unemployed relative to the total active population.

Migration

The movement of a population in space; the departure of people from their place of origin.

Immigration

A movement of population; the arrival of people at their destination.

Internal Migration

Developed... Continue reading "Population Dynamics and Urbanism: Key Concepts" »

Global Distribution of Economic Activities

Europe accounts for 8%, North America for 2%, Asia for 45%, and Africa for 58%.

Agricultural Activities

Agricultural activities occupy an important place because our food depends on this sector. These activities are developed in the agricultural landscape, characterized by:

1. Plot

• Shape, size, limit: Open field, closed field

2. Tillage Systems

• Harnessing the sun: Intensive, extensive
• Product range: Polyculture, monoculture
• Water management: Irrigated, dry

3. Settlement

• Sparse, centered

Types of Agriculture

• Subsistence: Itinerant cremation, extensive dry, irrigated rice
• Market: Opens in developed countries
• Objectives: Revenue + cost through field machining, production specialization, rapid commercialization of agricultural

Fishing in Spain

The Spanish Fishing Regions

The Spanish fishing space is organized into eight regions: Northwest, Cantabrian, Tramontana, Levant, South-Mediterranean, South Atlantic, Balearic, and Canary Islands. The most important region for its catch is the Northwest.

Fisheries Production Features

• The species caught: Fish constitute 3/4 of the catch, with the remaining being shellfish. White fish, such as hake and whiting, are particularly valuable.
• By tonnage: Sardines and anchovies are primarily caught for canning, followed by tuna and bonito.
• The main destination for fishing: Human consumption. Most of the catch is sold fresh, although salting, preserves, and freezing are increasing.
• Fishing landed: Experienced high growth until 1976, followed

Self-Regulation of Renewable Natural Resources

The regulatory mechanisms of renewable resources dictate the future of an ecosystem. Some individuals die, while others are born. Predation, a key component of food chains, helps maintain this balance. All living beings are interconnected and depend on each other. A food chain illustrates the nature of these food dependency relationships.

Understanding Food Chains

During photosynthesis, plants produce their own food and store reserve substances in parts like fruits, stems, roots, or seeds. Organisms that do not engage in photosynthesis require these supplies of food energy, either directly from plants or transferred through a series of organisms.

The relationship in a food chain is simple: one organism... Continue reading "Renewable Resources & Ecological Reserves: Conservation" »

Item 10: Agriculture

Agriculture is the cultivation of land to obtain food for human and animal consumption and raw materials for industry.

Agricultural Continuous Evolution: Very fast change of ownership patterns and land work.

Agricultural Development: In underdeveloped countries, agriculture represents a high percentage of production (80%) due to low-tech and traditional farming, resulting in low productivity. Only 5% of the population is dedicated to agriculture.

Physical Factors of Agriculture

• Weather: Each plant needs a certain humidity and temperature. Plants generally grow between -10ºC and +45ºC.
• Relief: Altitude and slope of terrain condition agricultural activity. Temperature decreases with altitude.
• Soil: Each plant requires specific

Geography of Population

Geography of Population studies the relationships established between people and space. It is the branch of Human Geography that studies the patterns or spatial structures of demographic phenomena in the human population and the processes of change in the same over time.

Structure

Analyzes the characteristics of a particular population, including the split:

• Sex / Age: We present average age pyramids, horizontal bar graphs representing: the x-axis (absolute figures or percentages of the total population, men and women) and the vertical axis (the different age groups, generally 5 to 5 years).
• Economic Activity: Distinction by economic sectors with the most basic division:
  • Primary: Livestock, agriculture, and fisheries, produce

Key Features of Islamic Architecture

Islamic architecture can be distinguished by several key characteristics:

• Buildings are often regularly sized.
• Brick and wood were the most commonly used building materials.
• Vaults and domes are frequently used, including ribbed vaults, honeycomb (muqarnas), and fluted domes.
• Pillars and columns serve as supporting elements.
• Various arch types are employed, such as the horseshoe, semicircular (half-point), pointed, and polylobed arches.
• Interiors typically feature rich decoration, often contrasting with simpler exteriors.

Islamic architecture can be broadly divided into religious and civil categories.

Islamic Religious Architecture

In religious architecture, the most important building is the mosque, a place created... Continue reading "Distinctive Elements of Islamic Architecture" »