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

Roman Hispania: Conquest and Influence

The Romans dominated the Italian peninsula and aimed to control Mediterranean trade and create a vast empire. Their main rivals, the Carthaginians, were established in the Iberian Peninsula. To dominate the peninsula, the Romans landed in Emporion in 218 BC. The Roman conquest of the peninsula lasted 200 years and was conducted in three stages:

Mediterranean Coast

The Romans defeated the Carthaginians. The Iberian peoples did not offer resistance.

The Plateau

Its conquest was longer. Indigenous peoples offered greater resistance.

Cantabrian Coast

The geography and the fierceness of its inhabitants (the Celts) made it difficult to conquer.

Roman Cities and Society

Roman City Characteristics:

• Walled
• Grid layout
• Forum

Tourism Services

Many services are common to all tourist destinations, especially those related to hospitality. However, other services depend on the location's dominant expertise.

• Sun and beach destinations: Offer numerous hotel and nightlife services, along with significant commercial sectors dedicated to textiles, souvenirs, and cultural tourism.
• Cultural/Religious tourism destinations: Provide specialized guidance and information services, with religious tourism attracting visitors during specific dates or times of year.
• Congress and business tourism: Focuses on attracting large groups with high spending potential, utilizing purpose-built exhibition centers and conference venues, often located in central or peripheral urban areas.
• Sports tourism:

Primary Sector

The primary sector is the set of activities that obtain resources from nature, including agriculture, livestock, forestry, fishing, and mining.

Agricultural Area

The agricultural area is the result of the modification of the countryside by humans.

Extensive Agriculture

This system does not typically use all available human and technical resources for maximum performance.

Intensive Agriculture

This system uses investment and working capital to obtain maximum performance.

Subsistence Agriculture

Characterized by the use of archaic techniques, a strong dependence on the physical environment, low productivity, and a large portion of land and population dedicated to agricultural activity, with production allocated for consumption.

Hydroponics

A... Continue reading "Primary Sector: Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, and Fishing" »

The Causes of Imperialism

Key: Europe. The enormous technological development in Europe, led by the Second Industrial Revolution, imposed its economic model, its ideals, and its culture on much of the planet. Between 1873 and 1890, there was an economic crisis, which originated in an agricultural crisis. Wheat from the United States and Russia reduced domestic cereal prices and triggered a general decline in agricultural and industrial prices. Soon, a crisis of overproduction began in all sectors. Reserves of products accumulated, prices declined even more, and many industries closed.

The industrial world emerged from the crisis by greatly expanding its markets. The imposition of protectionist policies made it imperative to find markets and resources... Continue reading "Causes of Imperialism: Economic, Political & Ideological Factors" »

References Own Building

• Plan of facade: Vertical planes above the ground separating the built-up area inside the edifice. It does not contain all the elements of the elevation of the building constructed, with the exception of authorized outgoing elements that are considered (balconies, terraces, eaves, cornices, etc.).
• Semi-detached or party wall facade: A common parameter of a building with an adjoining construction or building in contact with it, or detached buildings that separate a parcel of adjoining buildings. When facades could not fully assemble, so that fragments of this stand out, treaties should pay attention to their aesthetic.
• Building Line: Intersection of the planes of the ground floor facade of a building site.
• A fence located

Spain's Geographical Contrasts

The geographical contrasts in Spain arise from its location, relief configuration, large size, and geological and human history. These contrasts can be grouped into two main categories: natural contrasts and human contrasts.

Natural Contrasts

Lithological Contrasts

From a geological perspective, Spain features three distinct lithological domains:

• Siliceous Iberia: Primarily in the western part of the peninsula, characterized by granite, gneiss, slate, and quartzite.
• Limestone Iberia: Includes the Cantabrian mountain range (to Asturias), the Subbetic System, and the Iberian mountain ranges.
• Clay Iberia: Dominated by clay loams and casts, found in the Ebro and Guadalquivir depressions.

Geomorphological Contrasts

Spain's... Continue reading "Spain's Diverse Landscapes: A Study in Geographical Contrasts" »

Historic Urban Districts

Restored districts with historic buildings, cathedrals, palaces, and government buildings. These are primarily residential with limited amenities and services.

19th and 20th Century Suburbs

Originally built for the bourgeoisie with low-rise apartments and courtyards. Now service areas as wealthier residents moved.

Outlying Areas

Working-Class Neighborhoods

Often dormitory cities with high-rise flats built in the mid-20th century for immigrant workers. These areas have poor planning, materials, and services.

High-Standard Neighborhoods

Planned suburban areas with 2-3 story buildings or single-story houses with gardens, resembling garden city models.

Since the 1970s, many European cities have seen population shifts to metropolitan... Continue reading "Evolution of Spanish and Catalan Urban Areas" »

Geographical Discoveries and Their Impact

The Geographical Discoveries: In the Middle Ages, European trade flowed through the Silk Road (Central Asia-Mediterranean-Constantinople). Europeans had to find new sea routes to access certain luxury goods.

Progress of Navigation

Portolan charts were maps that detailed maritime ports and coasts. The astrolabe and the compass guided ships with more accuracy and allowed for better orientation.

The Discoverers

During the 16th century, the Portuguese had a monopoly on the trade of silk and spices to Europe. Vasco Nuñez de Balboa discovered a new, very peaceful and quiet ocean, and he confirmed that America was a new continent. Fernando de Magallanes named the Strait of Magellan, linking the Atlantic and Pacific... Continue reading "Geographical Discoveries & Impact on Civilizations" »