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

HSBC Main Building Hong Kong: Foster's Icon

Design and Construction

The HSBC Main Building in Hong Kong was designed by renowned architect Norman Foster and built by Wimpey Construction between 1979 and 1985. Its construction occurred shortly before Hong Kong's handover to the People's Republic of China. The bank was originally founded to finance the growing trade between China and the United Kingdom.

It is said that HSBC leadership, potentially anticipating changes associated with Hong Kong's union with the communist regime, commissioned a building designed so it could be dismantled if necessary.

Architectural Features

This iconic structure stands 180 meters tall, featuring 47 floors above ground and 4 basement levels. Key architectural elements... Continue reading "HSBC Main Building Hong Kong: Norman Foster's Architectural Icon" »

Argentina's Diverse Climate

Main Climate Types

Argentina's climate is categorized into four main types: warm, temperate, arid, and cold. The country's varied terrain and elevation contribute to the diversity within each type.

Warm Climates

• Subtropical without Dry Season: This climate covers Misiones, Corrientes, northern Entre Ríos, and eastern Chaco. It is characterized by high temperatures and abundant rainfall year-round.
• Tropical with Dry Season: This climate encompasses parts of Salta, western Formosa and Chaco, eastern Tucumán, most of Santiago del Estero, and northwestern Santa Fe. It shares similarities with the previous type but experiences a dry period lasting up to six months.
• Tropical Highland: This climate is found in the northwest,

1. Consequences of Independence in Latin America

Eight countries emerged and became independent around 1816. Independence had several significant effects.

Social Consequences

The social consequences were mixed. The big winners were the Creoles, who gained political power. Black slaves also benefited, as slavery was largely abolished.

Political Consequences

The new countries adopted the republic as their form of government, but then turned against each other. Military commanders were imposed on civilians, which led to frequent coups.

Economic Consequences

Economic dependence on Spain was replaced by dependence on England and the U.S.

2. Demographic Revolution and its Impacts

The demographic revolution had consequences in two main areas:

Industrial Development

It... Continue reading "Latin American Independence & Industrial Revolution: Social and Economic Impacts" »

The proposed map shows the different agricultural and agricultural land uses in designated portions of the Iberian Peninsula. The mixed farming with livestock referred to in the first question is for northern regions, i.e., Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country, along with the western part of Leon and Zamora. Also included in this group is a large part of Portugal. The main reasons are:

• Weather: This is the domain area of the Atlantic climate, with abundant and regular rains throughout the year, and smooth annual temperatures without large oscillations. This type of climate is ideal for the development of meadows and forests, and therefore, for cattle.
• Relief: This is a mountainous area of broken relief, with little flat land suitable

The Industrial Revolution

Concept

The Industrial Revolution, spanning the latter half of the 18th century and the early 19th century, began in England and spread across continental Europe. This period witnessed the most significant socioeconomic, technological, and cultural transformations in human history since the Neolithic era.

Causes

• Agricultural Evolution: Increased production resulted from investments in new technologies, farming systems, and improved fertilizer use.
• Commercial Capital Development: Machines revolutionized transportation and communication, transforming employer-employee relationships into primarily labor-based exchanges for profit.
• Socio-demographic Shifts: Agricultural modernization, coupled with advancements in medicine and

Estuary

Landforms produced at the mouth of a river when its amplitude penetrates inland. They are usually good places for communication, due to the mixture of currents.

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

The Common Agricultural Policy, or CAP, was created in 1961 (Spain joined in 1986) in order to ensure the living standards of farmers, market stability, and reasonable prices in supplies to consumers.

Vegetative Growth

Vegetative growth data is used in demographic studies to express the difference between birth and death rates. It can be positive (population increases) or negative (population falls).

Black Economy

The black economy encompasses economic activities taking place outside the established legal channels, therefore, without paying taxes, Social... Continue reading "Key Geographic and Economic Terms Defined" »

Venezuela's Diverse Climate Zones

Venezuela experiences a wide range of climatic conditions. Rainfall varies significantly, from less than 400 mm annually in coastal areas to over 4000 mm per year in the south. Average daily temperatures range from above 28°C to below 0°C in the Andean highlands.

According to the Köppen climate classification, Venezuela has the following climate types:

• Tropical Desert (Arid)

  Found in coastal areas of Falcón and Sucre, the Gulf of Cariaco, the islands of Coche and Cubagua, and the Restinga area on Margarita Island.

• Tropical Steppe (Semiarid)

  Located in the northern parts of Zulia and Falcón, the Lara-Falcón depression, the central coastal area, the Unare depression, parts of Sucre state towards the Gulf of Cariaco,

Industries in Argentina

Argentina was a major exporter of agricultural products and imported much of the manufactured products it consumed from Europe. The increase in population and the possibility of importing machinery from Europe favored the emergence of local industry, which took advantage of the raw material that was produced in the country. Many settled in Buenos Aires: large refrigerators, flour mills, food factories, the production of footwear, etc.

The Impact of the Global Crisis in Argentina

The main countries closed their economies, reduced their imports, and defaulted. Furthermore, international prices of primary products fell sharply. The fall in revenues from commodities and the state reduced the level of economic activity.

President

Atlantic Rivers of Europe

The rivers on the Atlantic side of Europe are among the continent's mightiest. Precipitation occurs throughout the year, notably in the basins of the Vistula (Poland), Elbe (Germany), Rhine, Loire, and Seine (France), and Tagus (Spain). Spain's Atlantic rivers present two distinct profiles:

• Galician rivers are short, except for the Minho, and flow through wet areas.
• The remaining rivers are long with substantial flow at their mouths and numerous tributaries. Key rivers include the Duero, Tajo, Guadiana, and Guadalquivir.

Geographic Terms:

• Terrace: A leveled step on a mountainside, often used for cultivation.
• Torrent: A watercourse traversing a mountain slope only during the rainy season, characterized by large floods.
• Inland