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

Modes of Acculturation: Opening New Horizons

The Origins of Orientalism

• The beginnings of an academic interest in Oriental languages and literature in Britain can be traced back to the early 17th century.
• There were both secular and religious reasons for this interest.
• Following the Protestant Reformation and the challenge to the doctrinal authority of the Latin Vulgate, a knowledge of Arabic had come to be seen as an important adjunct to the philological skills of Hebrew and Greek Bible translators.
• At the same time, there was renewed scientific and medical interest in Arabic, once it was recognized that the Latin translations of several important medieval scientific treatises were of questionable reliability.
• Chairs of Arabic were established at

The Iberian Pig

The Iberian pig has dark skin with a sparse coat, a pointed snout, and long, slender legs. The genetic trait of this breed is its ability to store fat in muscle tissue, the key to the unmistakable flavor and texture of Iberian hams.

Grazing in the Dehesa

Here, pastures are in fact open woodlands of holm oaks and cork oaks. A traditional, well-balanced diet that is essential to the quality of its meat. The dehesa pastureland is one of the best-preserved ecosystems in Europe, where Iberian pigs breed side by side with wild species, such as rabbits, lizards, or imperial eagles.

Forest Exploitation

Advantages

• The production of wood (to create houses).
• The production of paper (to write).
• The production of furniture.
• Cork
• Resin

Disadvantages

• Forests

Culture and Its Impact

What is Culture?

Culture is the set of beliefs, values, and practices that a group of people has in common. It includes various aspects of life such as language, religion, cuisine, music, sports, architecture, holidays, and traditions.

Cultural Diffusion

Cultural diffusion is the spread of cultural traits from one region to another. It often occurs when people move from one place to another, taking their traditions and ideas with them, which then become popular in the new location.

Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity refers to the state of having a variety of cultures in the same area. This creates an interesting mix of ideas, behaviors, and practices, but can also lead to conflict.

Cultural Traits and Regions

A culture trait... Continue reading "Understanding Culture, Population, and Globalization" »

Economic Globalization and Developing Nations

Introduction to Globalization

"Globalization" emerged in the 1980s, describing the increasing interconnectedness of populations through cross-border movement of people, knowledge, goods, and money. This process has significant economic, political, social, and cultural implications. Often associated with modernization and the shift towards Western industrialization, globalization presents both opportunities and challenges at local and global levels.

Globalization sparks debates regarding its effects. While some view it as a catalyst for economic growth and knowledge dissemination, others see it as a source of exploitation and a threat to traditional cultures. Some even link negative aspects of globalization... Continue reading "Economic Globalization and Developing Nations: Impacts and Challenges" »

Australia and New Zealand

Population: Natural increase is going down and life expectancy is high, concentrated in coastal areas.

Economy: Australia has a wealth of minerals. There is commercial crop agriculture, extensive sheep farming. Industry is highly developed. The principal economic activity in New Zealand is sheep farming. Forestry is important.

Culture and Society: The majority of the population is of British origin; native people (Aborigines and Maori) are a small minority. The main language is English. Anglo-Saxon culture dominates.

Blue Helmets - The U.N Peacekeeping Forces

Strategic Arms Limitation - The set of treaties between the Soviet Union and the U.S were intended to put a break on and probably reverse the dangerous nuclear arms race during the Cold War.

Diplomatic Community refers to diplomatic activities being outside of the jurisdiction of the host countries' national courts.

Diplomatic Recognition - The process by which the status of embassies and that of an ambassador as an official state representative are explicitly defined.

Ethnic Cleansing or Genocide - Forces displacement of an ethnic group or groups from a particular territory, accompanied by massacre and other human rights violations. It has occurred after the breakup of multinational states, notably in... Continue reading "International Relations and Diplomacy" »

Other indicators: adult literacy, diet, energy consumption, employment structures.

Life Expectancy: Regarded by the UN as the better indicator to measure the safety and health of the country.

Educational Attainment: Obtained by the combination of adult literacy rates and the primary, secondary, and tertiary student enrollment rates.

Real GDP per Capita: Adjusted to the actual purchasing power, representing what the average income will actually buy in a country.

Causes of Inequality:

• Minerals:

Social: Education, health, better quality life.

Political: Government, civil war.

Environmental: Earthquakes, etc.

Consequences of Inequality:

• Higher birth rates and infant mortality rates.
• Poorer education facilities, poorer diets, and poorer provision of services.