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

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

Finance and Economy (Title VII)

19. The power to tax resides in the State.

20. Autonomous regions and municipalities can also contribute taxes in accordance with the laws and the Constitution.

21. The general State budgets are prepared by the Government for review, amendment, and approval by the Cortes (Parliament). If budgets are not approved, the previous budgets are extended. Once approved, laws can be passed.

Territorial Organization (Title VIII)

22. Spain is organized territorially into municipalities, provinces, and autonomous communities.

23. Principle of Unity: Several autonomous communities exist, autonomous but none has privileges over others. Principle of Solidarity: The most disadvantaged autonomous communities are helped by other communities.... Continue reading "Key Aspects of the Spanish Constitution: Finance, Territory, and Justice" »

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" »

MERCOSUR Integration: Problems and Solutions

Internal Challenges

Latin America historically had a protectionist scheme, characterized by extremely high import tariffs and, in general, import bans on locally manufactured products. This was further complicated by the presence of military governments in most countries. Companies had reserved domestic markets without foreign competition, leading to significant resistance when tariff reductions were proposed.

External Challenges

External challenges included the fall in international commodity prices and global economic crises.

Solutions

Since the 1980s, Latin American integration has been facilitated by political and economic circumstances.

Policies

The return of democratic governments in most countries.... Continue reading "MERCOSUR, NAFTA, and Latin American Integration: Challenges and Solutions" »

The EU is a major industrial power, as evidenced by its industrial workforce (25.6%) and industry's significant contribution to GDP (30.6%).

Industrial Structure and Global Competitiveness

The EU's industrial structure faces challenges, with declining employment in mature sectors due to restructuring, and also in more dynamic areas impacted by technological innovations. Due to increasing globalization, companies are compelled to increase their scale, internationalize, develop innovative production processes and management, and offer differentiated products with high quality and design.

Key Industrial Regions of the EU

Industrial areas within the EU are selectively located. The most industrialized area is the hub around the Channel, which extends... Continue reading "EU Industry: Structure, Regions, and Policy Framework" »

Consequences of Internal Migration

Traditional internal migration has these impacts: demographic trends are responsible for imbalances in population distribution. Economically, it initially allowed an increase in population resources, but over time generated diseconomies because when younger and trained people left, productivity declined. Immigration to cities caused massive problems with housing, urban land use, and school places. Socially, assimilation problems occurred. Environmentally, in big cities, noise, etc., caused pollution problems.

The consequences of current internal migration include the aging of residential areas in central urban districts. Labor migration increases demographic and economic imbalances within provinces and autonomous... Continue reading "Consequences and History of Migration" »