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

Urban Catchment Area

The scope of an urban catchment area is not permanent but may change depending on economic shifts, means of transportation, and existing communication.

Metropolitan Area

A metropolitan area is an urban region that includes a central city, after which the area is named, and a number of satellite towns that can function as dormitory towns or industrial, commercial, and service centers, organized in a centralized way. It is also known as the urban fabric.

Suburbs

Suburbs refer to land near cities, which, by its nature, is a transition zone between the city proper and adjacent rural areas.

Arrabal

An arrabal is an organic grouping (without prior urban planning) of housing and businesses, usually associated with the lower class. The... Continue reading "Urban Area Definitions: From Catchment to Conurbation" »

The Old Regime: Traditional Rural Society

In the 18th century, the world was less populated than today. The birth rate was very high, as was the mortality rate. This was due to poor sanitation, a lack of hygiene, prevalent diseases, and especially poor and unvaried nutrition. Population growth was low, with birth and death rates nearly balanced. The majority of the population was illiterate and unaware of other cultures. Means of transportation were scarce, expensive, slow, and insecure. This resulted in a significant lack of information and contributed to a socially stable and traditional world.

Agrarian Economy and Early Capitalism

The majority of the population lived in villages or small towns in rural areas, working in agriculture and livestock.... Continue reading "Life and Society in the Old Regime: An Historical Analysis" »

The importance of fishing in Spain, alongside hunting and gathering, has historically been a significant source of sustenance for humans. Spain, with its extensive 6,600 km coastline, has always been oriented towards the sea. This maritime tradition, coupled with a long religious history, has fostered a strong culture of fish consumption. Spain, a maritime nation with a deep Christian heritage, is one of the world's largest consumers of fish, averaging around 40 kg per person annually, significantly higher than the European average of 20 kg.

Fisheries Structure

While fishing may appear to have a modest impact on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), its true value is considerably higher when considering that each job at sea generates approximately... Continue reading "Spanish Fishing Industry: Economy, Regions, and Workforce" »

The Industrial Revolution

The terms industrialization and Industrial Revolution refer to the emergence of a fundamental change in the traditional production system, transitioning from manufacturing to large-scale industry. This shift brought about a new way to produce goods in greater quantities, faster, and cheaper, resulting in a profound economic transformation with significant social and cultural implications. It surged in Great Britain in the cotton sector in the late eighteenth century and subsequently spread to Europe and then worldwide.

The key features of the new industrial production are:

• Machinery: The dominance of machines replacing human labor, initially improving spinning and weaving processes. This was initially perceived as a threat

The Beginnings of the Modern Age

The Modern Age began in the mid-fifteenth century. Feudal monarchies were replaced by authoritarian states. The feudal economy, based on the possession of land, gave way to the birth of commercial capitalism. The bourgeoisie gained significance within a class society. The Protestant Reformation broke Christian unity, and the Renaissance was imposed.

Birth of the Authoritarian Monarchy

In Western Europe, feudal monarchies became authoritarian monarchies, where the king reinforced their power over the entire kingdom. This new model of political organization is called the Modern State.

The power of the king still had certain limitations, such as the participation of society through the courts and the need to respect... Continue reading "Modern Age: Authoritarian Monarchies & Economic Shifts" »

The Rise of Global Imperialism (1870–1914)

The last third of the nineteenth century witnessed the Second Industrial Revolution, which fueled the expansion of major European powers, including Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, and Holland. This era of Imperialism was driven by technological advances, improved transport, the market economy, and military superiority, allowing these powers to dominate politically and economically.

The primary target regions for colonization were Asia and Africa. The relationship between the colonizer and the colonized was characterized by inherent superiority and systematic exploitation.

Driving Forces of Colonial Expansion

Economic Motivations for Imperialism

• Raw Materials: Importing cheap raw materials from the

Social Impact of Industrialization

The spread of industrialization and the organization of manufacturing production forced workers to concentrate around factories and move to cities. This period marked a profound shift in societal structure.

Internal migration to cities originated from surrounding rural areas. It is estimated that with the onset of industrialization, almost two million British citizens relocated to urban centers. Urbanization grew rapidly; in Britain, around 1750, only two cities had reached 50,000 inhabitants, but by 1851, this number had surged to 29.

This urban growth also significantly impacted the rest of Europe. In the early nineteenth century, only 2% of Europe's population lived in cities. By the early twentieth century,... Continue reading "Industrialization's Societal Impact and Women's Roles" »

Industrial Transformation: Impacts of the 3IR

The conjuncture following the recovery period post-Third Industrial Revolution (3IR) brought significant changes across various facets of industry.

Changes in Industrial Production

The 3IR introduced new technologies focused on speed, precision, and information processing:

• Telematics: The integration of computing and communications, enabling rapid and precise operations.
• Automation: Robotics and office automation applied to transform information and production processes.
• Advanced Systems: Use of precision instruments and sophisticated equipment for information management.

Shifts in Industrial Structure

Structural changes emphasized flexibility and specialization:

• Decentralization: Dividing the production

The City as the Center of New Industry

During the 19th century, factories and the burgeoning business bourgeoisie found their stage in the industrialized world's cities. These urban centers grew at a dizzying pace. One of the primary drivers of this change was the United Kingdom. London was a clear example of these transformations; in 50 years, its population surged from over 700,000 to more than 1 million, making it the most populous city in the world. This huge increase was due to rural exodus and high birth rates. The same behavior was observed in other European cities, such as Brussels, Milan, and Vienna. Workers, often newly arrived from rural areas, crowded into neighborhoods built near industrial zones. These areas often lacked basic... Continue reading "19th Century Industrialization: Urban Growth & Worker Struggles" »

The Stages of Industrialization in Spain (1959-1974)

The Culmination of the Industrial Process (1959 - 1974)

In 1959, the "Plan of Stabilization of the Spanish Economy" was approved, marking the end of autarky and the beginning of economic liberalization in Spain. From then on, Spain experienced significant economic and industrial growth, largely due to the influx of overseas capital (American, Swiss, etc.) and large multinational corporations. These companies sought to exploit the advantages that Spain offered at the time.

These advantages included abundant and cheap labor, a lack of labor unrest, and permissive legislation. During this period, industry benefited from several favorable factors for its development. Industries were located where... Continue reading "Industrialization in Spain: Stages, Growth, and Crisis (1959-1985)" »