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

Crown of Aragon's Expansion in the Mediterranean

The expansion of the Crown of Aragon in the Mediterranean was based on successful long-distance trade with Italy, North Africa, and the East. From the 13th century, the city of Barcelona was the main driver behind this trade. The areas of greatest commercial interest for the Crown of Aragon were southern Italy, North Africa, and the ports of Syria and Egypt. Despite the commercial interests of the Mediterranean route, the military expeditions undertaken by the Aragonese monarchs were often motivated by dynastic issues.

The main steps of the Aragonese expansion were:

• The conquest of Valencia and the Balearic Islands by James I.
• The conquest of Sicily by Peter III (1282), which brought about war with

City Concept

Quantitative Criteria: Considers all core city populations exceeding a certain number of inhabitants.

Qualitative Criteria: Considers cities and villages that meet certain characteristics: high population density and high-rise dwellings, the predominance of economic activities and industries. The consideration of these criteria defines a core city as a large population center with high population density, a predominance of industrial activity, and an urban lifestyle.

Development Process

1. Pre-Industrial Cities (Until the Industrial Revolution)

Cities were small, served as centers of political and religious power, and fostered craft businesses.

• The first cities emerged in Mesopotamia on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, almost

Highest Density of Population: Africa / America / Asia / Europe / Oceania

• Physical Factors: Flat relief, climate, suitability for agriculture, drinking water.
• Historical and Political Factors: The process of land occupation, land ownership, population policies (birth control, incentives or restrictions, etc.).
• Economic Factors: Natural resources, industrial facilities, communication facilities, proximity to the sea.

Population Density: Number of inhabitants per area, inhabitants / km ².

Levels of Population Concentration:

• Demographic Vacuum: (less than 1 sq/km ²): Land that is cold, arid, hot, and humid (Deserts: white, yellow, green).
• Intermediate Zones: (between 1 and 50 inhabitants / km ²): Regularly occupied areas that encourage high concentrations

Timeline of the European Union

• 1950: The Schuman Declaration proposed the establishment of a European Coal and Steel Community.
• 1957: Six countries decided to build a European Economic Community.
• 1968: Common policies were put in place.
• 1973: Membership expanded from six to nine.
• 1975: The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) was established.
• 1979: A decisive step forward was taken (likely referring to the first direct elections to the European Parliament).
• 1981: Greece joined the Community.
• 1985: Hope sprang again for further integration.
• 1986: Spain and Portugal joined. The Single European Act was signed.
• 1987: The Single European Act came into force.
• 1990: German unification.
• 1991: The Soviet Union ceased to exist. The Maastricht Treaty was signed.

The Agrarian Problem in Spain During the Second Republic

Introduction

The Second Spanish Republic, born from the municipal elections of April 12, 1931, marked a new era of hope after the exile of King Alfonso XIII. The Republic aimed to address the urgent needs of the Spanish people, including a critical agrarian problem with deep historical roots.

The State of Spanish Agriculture

Despite advancements in literature and science, Spain suffered from high illiteracy rates, exceeding 50% according to some estimates. Vast areas remained isolated, contributing to what philosopher José Ortega y Gasset termed an "invertebrate" Spain. Income inequality further exacerbated the situation.

The core issue was the unequal distribution and exploitation of... Continue reading "Land Reform and the Second Spanish Republic" »

Factors Explaining the Decline in Mortality

Sanitary Measures and Socioeconomic Resources

Medical advances and improvements in socioeconomic resources, especially food availability, have contributed significantly to the decline in mortality rates.

A combination of social, demographic, economic, and cultural factors has positively impacted the overall health of the population.

Spatial Distribution of Mortality in Spain

By Autonomous Community

Currently, regions with higher mortality rates include Asturias, Aragón, Baleares, and Galicia. Conversely, the Canary Islands, Madrid, Murcia, Andalusia, and Catalonia have the lowest rates. However, when considering average life expectancy, northern regions show more positive indices than southern regions.... Continue reading "Mortality Decline and Natural Growth in Spain: A Demographic Analysis" »

Agriculture, Farming, and Rural Land: Key Terms

Farming: Set of tasks performed by humans to obtain products of the land (agriculture, livestock, and forestry).

Intensive Agriculture: Agricultural practice characterized by a large investment in technology or labor that produces high productivity.

Agrociudad: Core of the population, given their size, can be considered a city, but it plays mostly rural functions.

Waters: Sector of ocean space adjacent to the land of a country on which that State exercises sovereign powers.

Sharecropping: Tenancy in which the owner grants the use of land in exchange for a percentage of the crop.

Lease: Tenancy in which the owner grants the use of the land on payment of rent.

Fallow: Traditional agricultural practice... Continue reading "Agriculture, Farming and Rural Land: Key Definitions" »

City Structure

Most towns and cities serve as places of residence and have industries. These are located in different parts of the city; this determines the structure.

Residential Areas

Residential areas occupy the most space. Wealthier inhabitants live in the most elegant parts of the city. Poorer people live in less attractive districts in old buildings.

Service Areas

Cities provide a wide range of services. Many of these services are found in the city center. Politics is the main function of all capital cities. The largest port's main function is trade. Destinations of pilgrims have a primary religious function.

Industrial Areas

Industries were started in the cities. Very little industrial activity takes place inside the city. Most industries are... Continue reading "Urban Structures, Growth, and Networks" »

Climate Patterns in Spain

In winter, polar air masses move south, and Atlantic storms significantly impact the Atlantic coast of the peninsula but rarely reach the interior. On the map, a cold front associated with a low-pressure system approaches the Atlantic Peninsula while an anticyclone dominates.

In the Mediterranean, storms also originate when hot air masses come into contact with cold air, which usually happens in spring and especially in fall. Fall storms often cause torrential rains of short duration but high intensity.

Biodiversity in Spain

Spain is a place that has a high biodiversity worldwide, ranking second after tropical forests. This feature is due to different causes:

• a) Spain encompasses three major plant domains: The Atlantic

History

History is the science of humanity's past events in a particular space and time, analyzing its causes to better understand our present.

Sources of Information

Historians study the past because they cannot directly observe it. They seek clues, a collection of traces called primary sources, such as letters. Secondary materials are what other historians have written.

Ages of History

Ancient Age

The Ancient Age begins with the appearance of writing and ends with the fall of the Roman Empire at the hands of the Barbarians in the 5th century AD (476 AD).

Middle Ages

The Middle Ages is the historical period of Western civilization between the 5th and 15th centuries. It conventionally begins in 476 AD with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ends... Continue reading "Human History: From Prehistory to Contemporary Times" »