exam two review Flashcards
be able to identify two physical features of south america.
andes mountains and pampas region.
be able to distinguish facts about the inca civilization from themselves and other groups. of example, know where they are located, what types of advancements they had, and any significant cultural artifacts as discussed in class.
- located in the andes mountains.
- used body parts as a unit of measurement.
- had a very accurate calendar tied to astronomy.
- textiles were a major art form.
- known for ancient architecture.
what is the tordesillas line?
where the catholic church split south america between spain and portugal.
how did colonialism discourage south american countries from working together to further their economic interests?
colonial systems generally involved goods being exported out of the continent, so countries did not have the capacity to try to work together.
what is the major driver of the venezuelan economy?
oil (approximately 90%).
describe the uneven development in venezuela.
most of the interior is underdeveloped. wealth from oil exports does not return to the local economy. agricultural practices are not advanced, so there is a heavy reliance on imported food.
how do underdevelopment, food scarcity, and increased infectious disease deaths go hand-in-hand?
citizens are in crisis, with civil unrest and venezuelans fleeing the country as refugees.
coffee was the major driver of the colombian economy for a long time. what has recently bumped it to second place?
oil.
how are rural farmers in colombia “stuck between a rock and a hard place”?
they are being forcibly obliged to cultivate coca and they are simultaneously being persecuted by armed groups and the government.
do you think there is hope with the election of a left leaning government?
i believe there is hope, as a left leaning government might be more understanding of the position are in and potentially begin cracking down on the cartel’s involvement in the region.
what factors have led the “southern cone” countries to be the wealthiest in south america?
colonizers invested in these regions in order to reap the benefits, so high economic activity and high urbanization go hand-in-hand. european trade is extremely important in this region.
what is a primate city?
a city that is disproportionately larger than the next largest city in the same region or area.
do you think the us has primate cities, based on that definition? does texas?
the us does not have a primate city, nor does texas.
be able to explain the rain shadow phenomena and how it plays a role in southern south america.
the height of the andes causes moisture from rain to precipitate on the eastern slopes, so the western side received no precipitation, leading to the atacama desert on one side and a lush mountainous region on the other.
why is brazil so ethnically diverse?
it has a history of european colonialism and enslavement of african and asian peoples.
what cultural factor creates a strong sense of nationalism amongst brazilians?
the fact that 99% of the population speak portuguese.
what religion is associated with carnival?
catholicism.
what is the sahel region?
region in africa that separates the sahara desert from the tropical savannas.
what is desertification and how is it affecting the sahel region and its human and animal inhabitants?
desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture. its making the sahel region become more and more unlivable.
why is africa’s equatorial region unable to produce agriculture in the same way as other equatorial regions are?
much of africa’s soil is lacking nutrient, producing little in the way of agriculture in the region.
what is salinization?
process by which the salt content in soil is increased.
understand the importance of agrarian living in africa.
subsistence farming is important, with continent being 60-80% agrarian.
what are some of the native grains of africa?
- african rice.
- millet.
- sorghum.
- tef.
why are non-native grains and foods affecting the amount of food africa is able to produce?
the non-native grains that take up valuable farmland generally produce less in numbers because they are not built to be grown in the area, so more crops die or are unable to be sold and eaten. african could produce more food if they planted native foods that are more likely to result in a surplus yield.
