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

Panama

• Panama also has the world's second largest free trade zone, the COLON Free Trade Zone at the mouth of the Atlantic side of the canal.
• The trip through the Panama Canal from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean will take a little less than one DAY.

Haiti and Mexico

• Haiti is classified as a(n) LOW economy by the UN.
• Mexico is classified as a(n) UPPER MIDDLE economy by the UN.

Latin America and the Caribbean

• By 2050, the population of Latin America and the Caribbean is estimated to reach about 725 million.
• Humid subtropical climates are found in areas of Brazil and URUGUAY.
• Peru has large deposits of silver, tin, lead, and COPPER.
• Coffee and maize (corn), fruit trees, and vegetables are typical crops grown in Latin America's altitudinal life zone

Industrial Revolution

Several influences fueled the Industrial Revolution: Britain's industry, wealth, labor force, a greater demand for goods, new power sources, and improved transportation.

Increased food production made it possible to feed a large population. This created an opportunity to manufacture and sell goods, and a demand for people to produce those goods.

Machines were invented for basic jobs, which introduced the idea of division of labor. One invention led to another. Other countries bought British uniforms, equipment, and weapons, particularly after the invention of a cloth-making machine. Ultimately, Britain was exporting all of this to Europe.

Workers' Rights

Workers tried to join together to protect themselves against powerful... Continue reading "The Impact of Revolutions and the Evolution of English" »

The Crown of Aragón

Institution

The Crown of Aragón was made up of the Catalan counties and the kingdoms of Aragón, Valencia, and Mallorca. Each territory maintained its own laws, institutions, and customs. The king had less power than in Castile. Each territory had its own parliament, and the king needed its approval to raise taxes or pass laws. In Catalonia and Valencia, a Generalitat had an administrative role. An official called the Justícia defended people's rights in Aragón. City councils developed considerable autonomy in the Crown of Aragón. The city council of Barcelona was especially important.

Expansion Across the Mediterranean

Aragón expanded on the Iberian Peninsula, although less than Castile.

• Alfonso I conquered the Ebro Valley.

- Serf: A person who serves a lord and works in exchange for protection.

- Lord: A noble who provides protection and rules the land.

- Vassal: Lesser nobles/peasants who provide a service for protection.

- Arabs: The dominant social group who owned large states (latifundia).

- Berbers: They had converted to Islam and worked as livestock farmers, agricultural workers, or soldiers. They felt discriminated against.

- Muladíes: Natives of the peninsula who had converted to Islam. Most of them worked in agriculture.

- Mozarabs: Natives of the peninsula who had not converted to Islam and maintained their Christian beliefs.

- Bellatores: Those who wage war and defend the rest of society in times of war.

- Oratores: Those who pray and guarantee the salvation... Continue reading "Feudalism and Social Groups in Medieval Times" »

Norman Dynasties and Feudal Peace

What could people establish in several kingdoms? Norman dynasties (Vikings). Was there any agreement between lords to maintain peace? Yes, there was an agreement to maintain peace on the roads and limit the effects of wars between feudal lords.

Main Changes in Productivity

• New cultivation methods: such as triennial rotation.
• New farming tools: such as the mouldboard plough and the use of horses.
• The use of windmills and watermills, which made grinding grain easier.

Population Growth and Land

What was the reason for population growth? The increase in agricultural production meant an improvement in diet and health. How did they get land? Peasants resettled old abandoned land and cleared new land for farming.

Expansion

More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs)

(Australia, France...)

• High life expectancy
• Exporting of manufactured goods
• Compulsory secondary education
• Low birth rate
• High status for women
• High employment in the tertiary sector
• High number of older people

Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs)

(India...)

• Poor healthcare
• Exporting of mainly primary products
• High infant mortality rate
• Low life expectancy
• Low literacy rates
• High employment rate in the primary sector
• High proportion of young people
• Limited access to clean water

Globalization: Different Aspects

Politics

• Global problems: Financial crises, climate change, terrorism
• Global actors: European Union, G-20, United Nations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Economy

• Decrease in the cost of transporting

Chemical Plant Emissions and Violations

In Bahrain, chemical plants have been found to emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, violating environmental regulations.

Measures Implemented in Industries

To address air pollution, measures have been implemented in various industries, including:

• Reducing sulfur content in diesel fuel
• Recycling and converting carbon dioxide into useful products

Untreated Water Discharge

Chemical factories have also been inspected for discharging untreated water into the surrounding environment, violating environmental standards.

Waste Management Laws

Bahrain has enacted laws to manage hazardous waste, including:

• Management of hazardous healthcare waste
• Management of hazardous waste from factories and industries

Chemical Substances

The Industrial Revolution

Causes

• Population Growth: Living conditions improved due to advances in nutrition, hygiene, and medicine.
• Agricultural Improvements: Land increased agricultural production because it created larger farms. New machinery was introduced.
• Increased Trade: Great Britain's dominance of maritime trade led to transatlantic commerce.
• Technological Progress: New machinery was established in factories to produce goods more quickly.
• Financial Support From Agriculture And Trade: Agriculture and commercial activities provided capital that could be invested in industry.
• Favorable Political And Social Structure: The Bourgeoisie was allowed to promote measures that advanced its economic interest.

Key Elements for Industrialization

• Textile Industry:

Understanding Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. While these changes can be natural, due to variations in solar activity or large volcanic eruptions, human activities have been the main driver of climate change since the 19th century.

This is primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. Fossil fuel combustion produces greenhouse gas emissions that surround the Earth like a blanket, trapping solar heat and increasing global temperatures.

Human Activity: The Primary Driver of Warming

Scientists studying climate change have established that humans are responsible for the global warming observed over the last 200 years. As a result of human activities that produce... Continue reading "Climate Change: Human Causes, Global Impacts, and Urgent Solutions" »

The Fief: Structure and Self-Sufficiency

The fief consisted of a rural estate composed of extensive areas of arable land, pastures, and forests where people hunted and obtained firewood and other products. The fief economy was self-sufficient.

The estate was divided into two parts:

• Demesne: Land that was exploited directly by the lord. It consisted of farmland, pastures, and woods. It was farmed by serfs. The lord was also the owner of the mill, press, and oven, and peasants paid for these services.
• Tenements: Plots of land the lord gave to free peasants in exchange for rent or a part of the harvest, and for carrying out different services for the lord on his land.

Jousting: Medieval Knightly Competition

Jousting was a competition in which two knights... Continue reading "Key Concepts of Medieval Feudal Society and Life" »