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

Spain's Post-War Transformation (1950s-1970s)

The mid-20th century marked a period of significant political, economic, and social change in Spain under the Francoist regime.

Political Evolution of the Francoist Regime

The Falange was gradually losing prominence within the regime, being increasingly displaced by the **National Movement**. New laws were also developed to solidify the regime's structure. These included the Law of the Fundamental Principles of the Movement, which stressed the core tenets of the regime, and the State Law, which formally defined the system as an *organic democracy*.

Economic Liberalization and Development Plans

A new government abandoned the previous policy of economic autonomy and initiated a process of economic liberalization... Continue reading "Spain's Economic and Social Evolution (1950s-1970s)" »

Latin America: A Geographic Overview

Location and Size

Latin America encompasses three of the four natural units of the Americas, representing 50% of the continent. It covers an area of 42,083,206 km², spanning latitudes from 83°N to 56°S and longitudes from 173°W to 35°W.

Key Landforms

• Isthmus: A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas across the sea.
• Sierra: Part of a mountain range, often composed of a main range and lower foothills.
• Plain: A relatively flat, low-lying area, typically below 200m in altitude (e.g., Orinoco and Amazon basins).
• Shield: Ancient, stable rock formations (e.g., Guiana and Brazilian Shields).
• Basin: A depression on the Earth's surface, a valley surrounded by higher ground.
• Altiplano: A high intermountain

Industrial Revolution Definition

The Industrial Revolution was not just a technological change with the appearance of machines, but also an economic shift towards economic liberalism and a social change with the emergence of the proletariat (workers). It originated in England and expanded to other countries.

Factors

Demographic

• Increased population due to decreased mortality (better hygiene and nutrition).

Agricultural Revolution

• New cultivation methods and productive systems.
• New land ownership system where common lands were purchased by individuals.

Economic

• Economic liberalism influenced British politicians to facilitate trade and development.

Intellectual (Technical)

• Various technical inventions were driven by existing needs, with each invention leading

Unit 1: Geography & Relief Concepts

Geography: The science that analyzes and describes the Earth's surface and the interrelationships between nature and human beings.

Relief Concept: The modeling or formations of the land surface and ocean floor.

Big Relief Units:

• Depressions or Basins
• Valleys
• Plains and Steppes
• Mesas
• Massifs
• Sierras/Mountains
• Ridges

Unit 2: Weather, Climate & Landscapes

Concept of Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place.

Concept of Climate: The succession of atmospheric conditions that occur over a period of not less than 30 years in a given area.

Köppen Climate Classification:

• A: Warm/Tropical Climates
• B: Desert Climates
• C: Temperate Climates
• D: Cold/Continental Climates
• E: Polar Climates
• H: Mountain Climates

Landscapes:

ITEM 4 Medieval: The Crisis of the 14th and 15th Centuries

1. Introduction

Beginning in the late 13th century, European society faced a major crisis due to hunger, disease, and wars. The 14th century saw the start of recovery, with population growth, trade development, and the emergence of cities. The last two centuries of the Middle Ages (14th and 15th) brought significant changes:

• Political: Disappearance of serfdom, birth of nationality, and growth of royal authority.
• Cultural: Emergence of secular thought, leading to religious clashes, emphasis on the individual, and new ideologies like humanism and reason.

The Iberian Peninsula experienced similar trends, including the first universities, development of vernacular literature, and Gothic and... Continue reading "Late Medieval Europe: Crisis and Transformation" »

The Genus *Homo* and Its Species

The genus *Homo* arose 2.5 million years ago in Africa from earlier hominids, *Australopithecus* or *Kenyanthropus*, likely coinciding with the beginning of a long period called the Pleistocene glaciations.

Features Distinguishing *Homo* from Other Primates:

• Upright posture leading to bipedalism.
• A deft hand resulting from standing, with the development of a longer thumb in relation to the hand.
• A large and sophisticated brain.
• The development of acute vision that responds perfectly to the commands of the brain.

These qualities enabled the development of different techniques. Thanks to practical knowledge transmitted culturally, *Homo* species began manufacturing and using increasingly sophisticated and efficient instruments... Continue reading "Evolution of the Genus Homo: From Africa to the World" »

Pre-Roman Civilizations of the Iberian Peninsula

Between the 11th and 4th centuries BC, Indo-European peoples migrated and settled in the northeast mainland and on the plateau, extending north and west.

At the same time, southern regions saw settlements from the Mediterranean. This process, known as historical colonization, is characterized by:

• The foundation of the Phoenician colony of Gadir and along the coasts of Malaga and Granada in the 10th-11th centuries BC.
• Greek settlements on the Catalan coast and the Levant between the 7th and 8th centuries BC, such as Ibiza.
• Carthaginian presence between the 6th and 5th centuries BC.

Greeks also left evidence of the Tartessos civilization, located in southern Spain from the 9th to 7th centuries BC.

Finally,... Continue reading "Iberian Peninsula: Pre-Roman Civilizations and Roman Conquest" »

Ilerda: Unveiling Ancient Roman Remains

Ilerda: The remains of ancient Roman buildings are dated to the late second century BC. However, the city's foundation likely began in the early first century BC. Under Augustus, it earned the title of Municipium and underwent significant monumental construction.

Several classical sources refer to Ilerda, particularly concerning the battle between supporters of Caesar and Pompey (49 BC), described by Caesar in De Bello Civile. Archaeological excavations have begun to shed light on the Roman city buried beneath later constructions. However, the discovered structures are insufficient to draw definitive conclusions about the city's layout.

The wall encompassed the entire Seu Vella hill and extended down to... Continue reading "Ilerda: Unearthing Roman History in Lleida" »

Dominican Republic Facts

Political Geography and History

The division of the state is studied by political geography.

Agreements and treaties that legalized the division of the island into two countries include: Nijmegen, Ryswick, San Miguel de la Atalaya, and Aranjuez.

In the pre-Columbian period, the island of Santo Domingo was politically divided into Chiefdoms, which were Marién, Maguá, Jaragua, and Maguana.

Population Factors

Variables influencing population growth include: Natalidad (birth rate), mortality, immigration, and emigration.

Economy and Resources

Which of these minerals is more profitable for the country?

1. Silver and gold
2. Gold and ferronickel
3. Marble and nickel
4. Nickel and silver

The sectors comprising the economy are:

1. Primary, secondary,

The Second Industrial Revolution and Global Impact

The expansion of industrialization across Europe led to the emergence of new industrial powers. This period saw the development and consolidation of the capitalist system, with significant economic growth resulting from the Second Industrial Revolution, which in turn fueled imperialism.

Development and Consolidation of the Capitalist System

Capitalism became increasingly globalized due to the internationalization of trade. Production, facilitated by a worldwide transport revolution, was exported globally. This system is characterized by alternating cycles of expansion and crisis, with the ever-growing engine of internationalization driving both.

Understanding Capitalist System Operation

In this... Continue reading "Second Industrial Revolution: Capitalism, Growth, and Innovation" »