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

Key Concepts of Urban Areas

City Concept

Quantitative: Over 10,000 inhabitants.

Economic Activity: Primarily tertiary sector.

Secondary Sector Level and Influence: Building and construction.

Spatial Criterion: Exercising influence over a territory.

Location

Specific Location: Concrete place where the city is situated.

Relative Location: Location in relation to other places.

Urban Morphology

External appearance of the city.

Urban Structure

Division of the city into areas with distinct morphology, features, and functions:

• Old Town: Part of the city that was urbanized from the outset.
• Ensanche: Growth of the city after the demolition of the walls, leading to a regular plan with wide, straight roads.
• Periphery: Outermost areas of the city.

Urban Functions

Main... Continue reading "Urban Concepts and City Dynamics: Key Definitions" »

History of Agriculture

Agriculture, the practice of cultivating land to obtain food, appeared in the Neolithic period. In the late 18th century, the UK experienced an agricultural revolution. This led many peasants (campesinos) to move to cities in search of work, starting a slow process of rural depopulation.

Agriculture Today

• Developed Countries: Agriculture employs less than 5% of the active population and achieves high productivity.
• Underdeveloped Countries: Agriculture employs the majority of the population, often using traditional farming techniques, resulting in low productivity.

Factors Influencing Agricultural Use

Physical Factors

• Climate: Each plant requires specific temperature and humidity conditions to grow.
• Relief: Altitude and the slope

Phase 1: Hunter-Gatherer (1,000,000 - 10,000 BCE)

1.5 million years ago, populations of Australopithecus were being replaced by those of Homo habilis, which gave way to Homo erectus. The first modern humans, Homo sapiens, appeared in northwest Africa. Immersed in the savanna, and subjected to the same rules as other animals, the first human hunters and gatherers were exposed to extremes of climate, often suffering from hunger. This was soon complemented by the development of small animal hunting. Early humans were omnivorous, and precisely in its power spectrum is a key to its success. The other is the management of natural elements to make tools.

Very early, humans tried to understand and master nature: seeking shelter, finding water, understanding... Continue reading "Human Evolution: From Hunter-Gatherer to Agriculture" »

The United States: From Civil War to Economic Powerhouse

The Civil War's Impact on the US Economy

The United States began its industrialization later than some European nations. The process was initially slow until the advent of the Civil War. This war resulted in a strong acceleration of industrial growth, ultimately leading the US to become the world's leading power. The principal drawback for European populations was that the industrialization process in the US was initially concentrated in the East and needed to extend throughout the entire country.

The US had several advantages:

• Vast, untouched lands.
• Most of the population was of European origin, unlike Asian industries. The European population that had not been absorbed by European industries

Trade involves the purchase and sale of goods in order to meet the needs of the population. This former activity has allowed contact between cultures. Subsequently, with the onset of currency, it was possible to give a more accurate value to goods.

Domestic Trade

Domestic trade takes place within a country.

• Wholesale: Carried out by wholesalers who purchase large quantities of goods, sold to producers and other traders.
• Retail: Involves selling small quantities directly to the public.

Foreign Trade

Foreign trade is what a country conducts with other countries, involving exports and imports.

The Trade Balance

The trade balance is the difference between the value of goods a country sells abroad and the value of goods it buys from other countries:

• If the

The Economic Importance of Agriculture in Spain

Contribution to GDP

Despite increased agricultural production, agriculture's share of Spain's GDP has declined from 40% in 1950 to about 3.5% today. This shift is attributed to industrialization and outsourcing, which have diminished the economic prominence of farming. The agricultural sector exhibits low productivity per worker, employing 7.5% of assets to generate just 3.5% of GDP.

Role in Foreign Trade

Until the 1970s, agricultural products were primary Spanish exports, consistently exceeding imports. Since then, the role of agriculture in foreign trade has decreased, with imports occasionally surpassing exports. Agricultural exports currently account for approximately 15% of total exports, including... Continue reading "Challenges and Opportunities in Spanish Agriculture" »

Business and Trade

Business consists of buying and selling goods to satisfy the needs of the population, performed by exchanging products for other products (barter).

Domestic Trade

Occurs within a country:

• Wholesale: Wholesalers buy large quantities of goods and sell them to other traders or companies.
• Retail: It sells directly to the public in small quantities.

International Trade

What a country conducts with other countries, including both exports and imports. It is collected in the trade balance and the balance of payments.

• Trade Balance: The difference between what a country sells goods abroad and what it buys from other countries.
• Balance of Payments: Records all economic exchanges of a country, both material goods, services, or financial.
  • When

Rockies

• Location: North America, extending from Alaska to Mexico
• Economic Activity: Significant gold and oil reserves. Includes Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks.
• Population: Diverse ethnic backgrounds. Major cities include Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Denver, Colorado.

Andes

• Location: From the Caribbean to Patagonia, forming the world's longest mountain range.
• Economic Activity: Agriculture, including potato tuber farming, as well as cultivation of chili, corn, squash, beans, and fruit.
• Population: Inhabitants often reside at high altitudes. Major cities include Lima, Quito, and La Paz.

Alps

• Location: Stretching across France, Italy, Switzerland, and other countries near the Mediterranean.
• Economic Activity: Industry, energy production, and logging.

Internal Migration Rates in Spain

Internal migrations are classified according to time, place of origin, and destination.

Types of Internal Migration

• Seasonal or Temporary Migration: Limited duration and cyclical nature. Example: Picking grapes or olives.
• Permanent or Long-Term Migration: Classified based on source and destination.
  • Rural Exodus: Movement from rural to urban areas due to agricultural mechanization and increasing urbanization.
  • Intercity Migration: From small to large cities and between cities with different economic sectors, often for university studies or economic opportunities. Currently more significant in Spain than the rural exodus.
  • Interrural Migration: Conditioned by the economic exploitation system of the receiving area, such

Fishing Areas and Maritime Boundaries

A fishing area is a place where, due to a number of circumstances, there are more marine species than anywhere else. Major fisheries are located in cold water areas and have variations. There can be both national and international fisheries.

The concept of territorial waters appeared in the 1982 Sea Convention. It was established that up to 200 miles from a country's coast, the water and its economic exploitation belonged to that country. The establishment of these 200 miles caused serious consequences for the Spanish fishing sector.

Aquaculture

Aquaculture is the set of activities, cultivation techniques, and knowledge related to aquatic plants and animals. It is an important economic activity for food production,... Continue reading "Understanding Key Concepts in Fishing, Aquaculture, and Agriculture" »