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

Bourbon Economic Reforms in Spain

The reformist spirit of the Bourbons extended to the economy and contributed to overcoming the economic crisis that had affected Spain during the seventeenth century. However, these reforms were not able to definitively resolve the serious shortcomings and deficiencies that plagued the Spanish economy.

Industry Under the Bourbon Dynasty

The industrial sector presented three outstanding features:

• Dominance of Artisanal Production: Production remained largely artisanal and little advanced. It was supported by urban guilds and rural crafts. The guilds, however, were a significant problem for development. Home work allowed cheaper production, but not necessarily better quality. Consequently, Spanish industry's ability

St Kilda: Life and Evacuation

Introduction to St Kilda

110 miles off the west coast of Scotland is a small group of volcanic islands. They are variously called Hirta, Boreray, and other local names, but together they are known as St Kilda. The cliffs rise to more than 400 meters (1400 feet) above the gray water, and this is home to millions of seabirds. Until 1930, a small colony of Scottish people lived there, whose community had survived for over 2000 years.

Life on the Islands

Life was precarious on St Kilda, located in the Atlantic Ocean well beyond the protective barrier of the Outer Hebrides. With an average January temperature of -10 to -20 ºC, the islanders were often isolated for months at a time by bad weather. They lived as they always... Continue reading "St Kilda: The Last Days of an Island Community" »

Defining Globalization and Historical Shifts

Globalization, as defined by Benko, is the global acceleration of the circulation of trade flows, technology, cultures, and information.

The Industrial Revolution: Cyclical Transformation

The Industrial Revolution was a profound transformation that cyclically affected the evolution of societies, causing significant changes in social, occupational, cultural, and production structures.

Three Key Revolutionary Changes

1. Progress in Mining Activities: Development of new energy sources, such as coal.
2. Increased Production Capacity: Expansion of production capabilities and the emergence of new manufacturing activities, particularly the fabrication of fabrics.
3. Shift in Labor: Industrial jobs did not require prior

Spain's Rich Natural Heritage

Geographical Distribution of Key Regions

The diverse natural landscapes of Spain encompass a wide array of provinces and autonomous communities, including: A Coruña, Lugo, Orense, Asturias, Cantabria, Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa, Álava, Huesca, La Rioja, Navarra, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Tarragona, Madrid, Segovia, Burgos, and León.

Mountain Plant Species: Characteristics and Habitat

Certain mountain plant species, typically found between 1000 and 2000 meters above sea level, poorly tolerate extreme heat and cold. These species require high humidity and prefer calcareous soils, although they also adapt to both calcareous and siliceous substrates. They are primarily distributed across the Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees,... Continue reading "Spain's Natural Heritage: Biodiversity, Protected Areas, and Key Species" »

Understanding Human History

History studies the past of human beings through time and space. To establish the order and dates of historical events, we use chronology.

Prehistory: The Dawn of Humanity

Prehistory starts with the appearance of the first hominins and ends with the invention of writing.

Palaeolithic Age (Old Stone Age)

Tools, or utensils, were carved from approximately 2.5 million years ago.

Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)

Some tools were made of polished stone.

Metal Age

Tools were made of metal.

Historical Eras: From Writing to the Present

History starts with the invention of writing.

Ancient History

From the invention of writing until the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

The Middle Ages

From 476 until the fall of Constantinople to the Turks,... Continue reading "Human History: Eras, Evolution, and Prehistoric Civilizations" »

Key Definitions in Tourism and Travel

Tourism

The activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business, and other purposes.

Visitor

Any person who travels to a country other than that in which they have their usual residence, but outside their usual environment, for a period not exceeding 12 months, and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the country visited.

A Tourist

A visitor who spends at least one night in the country visited.

Same-Day Visitor / Excursionist

A visitor who does not spend the night in a collective or private accommodation in the country visited.

Types of Tourism by Geographic Scope

• Domestic

Reign of the Catholic Monarchs: Society & Economy

Political and Social Organization

The basic economic activities were agriculture and livestock.

Castile's Livestock-Based Economy

During the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, the Castilian economy continued to be mainly oriented towards sheep livestock. Castilian wool remained the main export through the ports of Biscay. The monarchy favored protecting farmers' interests, passing laws that protected the powerful Mesta, which brought together Castilian livestock farmers. The consequence was a brake on the expansion of agriculture, which hampered population growth. After the colonization of America, gold and silver arrived, and increased trade relations stimulated economic prosperity.

Crown of Aragon'

Spanish Labor Movement: Origins and Ideological Currents

The Democratic Sexenio recognized the right of assembly and association, which allowed the labor movement to emerge from hiding and form its own class organizations, expanding simultaneously. The First International (AIT, 1864) arrived in Spain with Fanelli, an anarchist leader who disseminated Bakuninist principles among Catalan workers and Andalusian peasants. These principles included:

• Removal of the state
• Collectivization of property
• Apolitical stance

The spread of Marxism (Lafargue) was delayed, and despite being the ideological majority within the AIT, it only gained significant traction in Madrid. The confrontation between these two ideological currents prevented an alliance. Internationalism... Continue reading "Spanish Labor Movement: Ideologies and Evolution" »

The Crisis of the 70s-80s: Monetarism and Neoliberalism

The Post-War Economic Miracle

Between 1945 and 1973, the world experienced three decades of an economic miracle. The most extreme case was that of Germany. After World War II, 20% of its entire housing stock was destroyed, and its industrial production in 1947 was only one-third of the production achieved in 1938. However, in just three years, the economy began growing so strongly that the average GDP growth rate in the 1950s climbed to 8% a year and remained at a high level in the next decade, although it was not as spectacular.

The Oil Shocks: A Turning Point

The situation, however, would change in the 1970s, a decade known for its oil shocks. In 1973, as a result of Western support for... Continue reading "The 1970s Oil Crisis and the Rise of Neoliberalism" »

Defining Economic Structure

Economic structure refers to the relative share of primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary economic activities within a country or region. Measuring this structure is essential for analyzing a nation's development and its position within the global economy.

The Four Sectors of Economic Activity

• Primary Activities: These involve the extraction of natural resources. Examples include agriculture, mining, and fishing. These activities are most prevalent in developing nations, specifically peripheral countries.
• Secondary Activities: These involve processing, fabricating, and assembling raw materials. A common example is automobile assembly.
• Tertiary and Quaternary Activities: These are considered post-industrial sectors,