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

Population

Population is the number of people who inhabit a particular place. Population is influenced by physical environment, settlement patterns, economic activities, and the history of an area.

Before the 19th Century

• Climate changes around 10,000 years ago led to the Neolithic Revolution. As agriculture developed and population became more sedentary, towns and cities were established. Population grew slowly because it was dependent on the resources available.
• Wars, epidemics, and large-scale migration also either limited or promoted population growth. In the first century A.D. the world population was about 256 million. It increased until the Black Death of 1342. By the mid-17th century, the world population surpassed 500 million, and in 1800

The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain

The Agricultural Revolution

In Great Britain, a set of legal reforms called the Enclosure Acts were passed by the British Parliament. These laws allowed large landowners to own and enclose open fields and common land. This led to various transformations: selective breeding, new crops, mechanization, and new drainage systems. Landowners had a practical and entrepreneurial mindset.

The Demographic Revolution

• Demographic Growth: The rapid population growth was caused by an increase in food production and advances in science and sanitation.
• Rural Emigration: Consequences of the modernization of agriculture were negative for the peasantry, leading to a rural exodus.

Economic Factors

Abundant coal and iron ore... Continue reading "Industrial Revolution in Great Britain: Key Factors and Impacts" »

The Prestige Oil Spill Disaster

Opening: In 2002, off the coast of Galicia, an oil tanker called the Prestige got into difficulty and eventually broke up. The entire coast was contaminated with 60,000 tons of oil.

Consequences of the Oil Spill

Body: The consequences of the oil spill were:

• First, about 26,000 people in Galicia have jobs connected to the sea, and after the oil spill, all fishing was banned for several months.
• Second, more than 22,000 dead birds were found, but it is believed that many more died.
• Lastly, the most affected were the cormorants which breed on the Cíes Islands; their number has dropped by 50% since the disaster.

Closing: In conclusion, the Prestige oil spill was the largest natural disaster in Spain in recent years, because... Continue reading "Prestige Oil Spill: Impact on Galicia's Coast" »

The Demand for Water

Fresh water is a renewable resource, but it is in increasingly scarce supply on our planet.

Pollution, overexploitation of aquifers, and wasteful use of this resource pose serious dangers, especially due to high consumption in developed countries.

The availability of drinking water for people and animals doesn't solely depend on a country being dry or wet, but significantly on its level of development. Countries in Central Africa often lack adequate sewerage systems or water networks.

Therefore, the availability of water depends more on the level of development than on the climate.

Current Economic Blocs Across the World

• Asian Tigers: Technological development and growth in some countries has led to the emergence of a group

1. Agrarian Space

Agrarian space encompasses economic activities focused on obtaining resources from nature. This includes:

• Agriculture: Cultivating land for plants and food, providing sustenance, industrial materials, and livestock feed.
• Livestock Farming: Raising animals for various purposes, including food, industrial materials, and sometimes labor.
• Silviculture: Utilizing woodland for food and raw materials.
• Fishing: Harvesting aquatic animals for food and other products.

1.1 Definition: Agrarian space specifically refers to land used for agrarian activities.

1.2 Global Impact: In 2013, agrarian activities employed 36.8% of the global population. This sector employs over 50% of the population in many underdeveloped countries, contributing significantly... Continue reading "Understanding Agrarian and Rural Spaces: Activities, Factors, and Impacts" »

The Suburbs

In the 20th century, particularly between the 1950s and 1980s, urban growth led to the creation of vast suburban outskirts adjacent to historical cities. These areas were subject to characteristic zoning laws that segregated them into residential, industrial, and service-sector zones.

Residential Zones

Residential zones vary based on residents' buying power, resulting in social segregation: slums for disadvantaged or marginalized groups; tower block neighborhoods of varying sizes and qualities for the middle and lower classes; and exclusive single-family housing developments for the upper classes.

Industrial Zones

Industrial zones house factories that have relocated from city centers, as well as new industries seeking lower land prices... Continue reading "Suburbanization: Urban Growth and the Creation of Rural-Urban Areas" »

Smoking: A Controversial Habit

Arguments For and Against Smoking

Smokers often cite pleasure, stress relief, and social acceptance as reasons for their habit. They may also have grown up in environments where smoking was normalized.

Non-smokers, however, highlight the severe health risks associated with smoking, including lung cancer, bronchitis, and asthma. They also point out the financial burden and negative aesthetic effects of smoking.

Addressing the Issue

It's crucial for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and educators to collaborate on solutions to combat smoking addiction and support those seeking to quit.

Environmental Concerns: Protecting Our Planet

The Impact of Pollution

Pollution poses a significant threat to human health, causing... Continue reading "Global Issues: Smoking, Environment, and Migration" »

Consumer Motivation in Tourism

Client motivation arises when consumers satisfy their needs and their perception of the attractions aligns. Motivation factors include:

• Religion
• Education
• Sightseeing
• Health
• Relaxation
• Sports
• Socialization
• Business

Factors that enable motivation include:

• Time
• Money
• Money Exchange
• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Health Standards
• Testimonials/Passport

Tour Operator Business Model: TUI Example

TUI has shifted its business model to improve its market target, primarily due to diversification. They have invested in their own product offerings, enabling them to create unique holidays for their customers. This is a key differentiation factor from their competitors. A TUI customer could be inspired by TUI, book with TUI, and then experience... Continue reading "Tourism Market: Consumer Motivation & Impacts" »

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a discipline that uses technology in biological processes. It uses living organisms to obtain particular products or processes.

Traditional Biotechnology

Traditional biotechnology uses microorganisms in production processes to complete them or increase their efficiency.

Areas Where It Is Used

• Food: Bread is made thanks to the fermentation produced by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Alcoholic drinks also use S. cerevisiae, and cheese and other dairy products are made by allowing certain bacteria to ferment.
• Healthcare: Vaccines are made by using fragments of microorganisms or weakened ones, and antibiotics are made by certain molds.
• Environmental: Bacteria are used to eliminate organic matter in sewage. It is also

Understanding Services and Trade

What are Services?

Services encompass all activities that do not directly produce tangible goods but fulfill people's wants and needs. In developed countries, the service sector, also known as the tertiary sector, contributes over 70% of wealth and employment.

Types of Services

Services can be categorized into two main types:

• Public Services: Financed by the state through taxes.
• Private Services: Offered by private companies or individuals.

Location of Services

Traditionally, services were primarily located in urban areas. However, with advancements in technology, many advanced services, particularly those involving new technologies, are concentrated in business districts within metropolitan areas.

Improvements in communication... Continue reading "Understanding Services and Trade: A Comprehensive Guide" »