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

Industrial Revolution (1750-1860)

The Industrial Revolution was a process transforming energy sources into mechanical work using machines, leading to mass production and surplus. This era witnessed significant changes:

• Climate & Demographics: Population growth, urbanization, and agricultural advancements.
• Trade & Transportation: Increased internal and external trade, growth of exchanges, and improved transportation.
• Machines: Powering factories and workshops.

Stages of Industrial Revolution

• 1st Stage (1750-1860): Steam, coal, and iron ore.
• 2nd Stage (1860-1914): Electricity, oil, internal combustion engine, and steel.

Agricultural Transformations

• Norfolk system, new housing, and new crops from America (e.g., potatoes).
• New tools and increased

Elements of Agricultural Landscapes

Agricultural Plots: Basic Divisions

Agricultural plots are the most fundamental divisions of a farming area, typically managed as a single unit. These plots can vary significantly in size (small, medium, or large) and shape (irregular, characteristic of spontaneous land occupation, or regular, typical of organized agricultural systems). Plots can be either open, lacking physical barriers, or closed, surrounded by physical closures like hedges or fences.

Agricultural Land Uses

Farming Systems and Crop Management

Agricultural farming is primarily dedicated to cultivating crops and vegetables. Farming systems are the techniques employed by farmers to produce agricultural goods, and they vary based on several key... Continue reading "Understanding Agricultural Landscapes and Rural Land Use" »

Modern Agricultural Inputs and Technology

Controlling plant growth in greenhouses often utilizes advanced computer systems.

3. Chemical Products: The use of chemicals as fertilizers, and products to combat various diseases or pests (pesticides). These products are created by the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and help fight plant diseases.
4. Water Management: The channeling of water and the emergence of new irrigation systems have allowed the expansion of irrigated areas, often to the detriment of traditional rainfed areas.

Agricultural Landscapes of Spain

The Agricultural Landscape Defined

The agricultural landscape is being modified by human intervention in order to obtain products from nature. Within this landscape, we can distinguish three... Continue reading "Spain's Agricultural Landscapes and Fishing Sector Challenges" »

Agriculture in Underdeveloped Regions

This occurs in underdeveloped countries. It has low productivity, just enough for consumption. Rudimentary agricultural tools are used; modern machinery or chemical fertilizers are not used.

Slash-and-Burn Agriculture

• Occurs in equatorial or tropical rainforest climates where there is dense vegetation. The farmer fells the forest, slashes, and then burns it to clear a small patch for cultivation. Crops are grown in the small plot, fertilized with ash, using simple tools to produce food for home consumption. As the land is exhausted, the farmer leaves and clears another part of the forest, starting the process again. This is thus a shifting cultivation. This agricultural technique is considered a form of sustainable

Key Concepts of Urban Areas

City Concept

Quantitative: Over 10,000 inhabitants.

Economic Activity: Primarily tertiary sector.

Secondary Sector Level and Influence: Building and construction.

Spatial Criterion: Exercising influence over a territory.

Location

Specific Location: Concrete place where the city is situated.

Relative Location: Location in relation to other places.

Urban Morphology

External appearance of the city.

Urban Structure

Division of the city into areas with distinct morphology, features, and functions:

• Old Town: Part of the city that was urbanized from the outset.
• Ensanche: Growth of the city after the demolition of the walls, leading to a regular plan with wide, straight roads.
• Periphery: Outermost areas of the city.

Urban Functions

Main... Continue reading "Urban Concepts and City Dynamics: Key Definitions" »

Understanding Key Fishing Methods and Equipment

The world of fishing encompasses a wide array of techniques, each designed for specific purposes, target species, and environments. From highly selective methods to broader capture systems, understanding these approaches is crucial for both commercial and recreational anglers. Below, we detail some of the most common and historically significant fishing methods:

Longline Fishing

Longline fishing is considered one of the most selective fishing methods available. Depending on the bait and hook size used, it allows for targeting specific catch sizes or species. This precision makes it a preferred method for certain fisheries.

Purse Seine Fishing

As its name suggests, purse seine fishing involves surrounding... Continue reading "Essential Fishing Methods and Gear Explained" »

History of Agriculture

Agriculture, the practice of cultivating land to obtain food, appeared in the Neolithic period. In the late 18th century, the UK experienced an agricultural revolution. This led many peasants (campesinos) to move to cities in search of work, starting a slow process of rural depopulation.

Agriculture Today

• Developed Countries: Agriculture employs less than 5% of the active population and achieves high productivity.
• Underdeveloped Countries: Agriculture employs the majority of the population, often using traditional farming techniques, resulting in low productivity.

Factors Influencing Agricultural Use

Physical Factors

• Climate: Each plant requires specific temperature and humidity conditions to grow.
• Relief: Altitude and the slope

Phase 1: Hunter-Gatherer (1,000,000 - 10,000 BCE)

1.5 million years ago, populations of Australopithecus were being replaced by those of Homo habilis, which gave way to Homo erectus. The first modern humans, Homo sapiens, appeared in northwest Africa. Immersed in the savanna, and subjected to the same rules as other animals, the first human hunters and gatherers were exposed to extremes of climate, often suffering from hunger. This was soon complemented by the development of small animal hunting. Early humans were omnivorous, and precisely in its power spectrum is a key to its success. The other is the management of natural elements to make tools.

Very early, humans tried to understand and master nature: seeking shelter, finding water, understanding... Continue reading "Human Evolution: From Hunter-Gatherer to Agriculture" »

Understanding Population Pyramid Structure

The two histogram bars are arranged horizontally, typically along the X-axis (abscissa). Conventionally, the bars on the left indicate the age groups of males, and those on the right represent the female population.

The Y-axis (ordinate) identifies the groups of age, usually in five-year intervals (e.g., 0–4, 5–9, 10–14, etc.). The bar representing the lowest age group is placed at the bottom of the chart, with ages gradually increasing towards the top.

When detailed information is available (such as births and deaths per year), the population pyramid can be drawn with corresponding annual details (bars representing year-to-year data). The scale of the X-axis typically represents absolute values... Continue reading "Population Pyramids: Structure and Sex Differences in Demographics" »

The United States: From Civil War to Economic Powerhouse

The Civil War's Impact on the US Economy

The United States began its industrialization later than some European nations. The process was initially slow until the advent of the Civil War. This war resulted in a strong acceleration of industrial growth, ultimately leading the US to become the world's leading power. The principal drawback for European populations was that the industrialization process in the US was initially concentrated in the East and needed to extend throughout the entire country.

The US had several advantages:

• Vast, untouched lands.
• Most of the population was of European origin, unlike Asian industries. The European population that had not been absorbed by European industries