UK in the 21st Century

Question 1

what is a demographic transition model?

Answer 1

change in population from high birth and death rate to low birth and death rates

Question 2

define growth corridor

Answer 2

a region of economic growth, often following lines of transport between major cities e.g. M4 corridor

Question 3

explain lowland UK

Answer 3

low, flatter land with rolling hills with mostly younger sedimentary geology (south and east)

Question 4

explain upland uk

Answer 4

higher, steeper land with hills and mountains, mostly older volcanic geology (north and west like wales and scotland)

Question 5

what are lowland areas used for?

Answer 5

settlements, roads and railways- densely populated

Question 6

what are upland areas used for?

Answer 6

few roads and settlements but beautiful scenery- sparsely populated

Question 7

describe the pattern of UK rainfall

Answer 7

• highest in north and west (2500mm)
• lowest in south and east (500-625mm)

Question 8

explain the problems of water stress

Answer 8

• most rainfall occurs in north and west but least rainfall in south and east
• south and east therefore have high demands
• these demands include domestic, industrial and agricultural uses

Question 9

explain how UK relief rainfall works

Answer 9

• most UK rainfall is caused from prevailing wind blowing from the southwestwhere moist warm air from the atlantic ocean evaporates
• when air carrying moisture reaches upland areas, it is forced up to produce relief rainfall when it condenses into clouds
• the other side of the upland area has little moisture, this is called the rain shadow

Question 10

describe UK mountain areas

Answer 10

(scotland) have rough pastures and moorlands. the climate is harsh and soil is poor for crops

Question 11

describe grasslands

Answer 11

(west) ideal for cattle and sheep because of the mild and wet climate

Question 12

describe arable farmland

Answer 12

dominates majority of uk because of the warm, sunny and dry climate. crops such as cereals and vegetables are found in the south and east

Question 13

describe coniferous woodland

Answer 13

(northern england scotland and wales) poor soils and remote

Question 14

describe urban areas

Answer 14

growing/ outwardly sprawling urban development which is caused by population growth

Question 15

how does population affect life in the UK?

Answer 15

• housing shortages- population rising but only half the houses needed are built a year
• ageing population- high healthcare costs, shortage of places in carehomes/ more expensive, the grey pound- old people join clubs and spend on travel boosting the economy

Question 16

what causes an ageing population?

Answer 16

• many people born after WW2 and moving into old age- baby boomers
• improved healthcare prolongs life
• awareness of benefits of healthy diet/ excersise increased

Question 17

describe the DTM

Answer 17

demographic transition model (stages that occur when a country develops) (uk stage 4)
1. birth rates high and death rates fluctuate
2. birth rate high, death rate falling rapidly. natural change increases
3. birth and detah rate falling rapidly. natural change is rapid
4. birth and death rate low and fluctuating. little natural changes
5. birth rate falling, death rate rising slightly. natural change falls

Question 18

how has migration changed the UK? (specifically in bristol)

Answer 18

• more coming than leaving increases the population because immigrants tend to be child-bearing age, slowing the ageing population down
• increases diversity- wider range of languages (90+), religions (45+) and ethnicities (287+) (bristol)
• more indian restaurants, polish shops, places of worhsip like temples/ mosques, media like music changed, cultural hairstyles and religious garments sold

Question 19

responses to ageing population

Answer 19

• government pension bonds to encourage older poeple to save money for the future
• pensioners receive support in care, transport and heating allowance to make life more comfortable
• allowing more immigration will provide the demand needed of a younger workforce needed for the economy

Question 20

describe how the uk economy has changed and why

Answer 20

• it has grown strongly and unemployment has decreased between 1997-2007
• due to investment in education and technology in response to competition from abroad
• in 2008, uk entered a recession and unemployment increased but this ended in 2009, creating an aim and focus to decrease national debt in the 2010 elections
• now the uk is moving into the service industry such as finances, technology and media

Question 21

name 3 economic hubs and why they’re important

Answer 21

• saltford- media industry including BBC and IT. and also manufacturing of chemicals
• bristol- creative and digital industries. key services such as law and finance
• silicon fen- high tech research hubs associated with cambridge university

Question 22

describe 3 organisations the UK is a part of

Answer 22

• NATO- group of 28 countries who work militarily and politically to resolve conflict as a last resort
• UN- made up of 193 member states with the aim of maintaining peace and resolving issues. UK is part of the security council
• G7- 7 of wealthiest western countries to discuss relevant issues and come to economic agreements

Question 23

describe the global role of the UK

Answer 23

• many media exports including films, TV, music, books
• exporting media employs 1.7million and generates £17billion- key to uk economy
• harry potter sold 400million copies to 200 territories
• develops other countries understanding of our language
• many copy the fashion/ styles seen in uk media
• can attract people to visit UK

Question 24

explain the role the UK played in the recent ukraine conflict

Answer 24

• since 2013 involved in attempting to prevent the war through providing 5000 soldiers, jets and other military equipment, £15million aid to ukraine, military support and training ukrainian troops
• G7 issued sanctions on Russia to limit its trade and access to global markets
• (as a member of NATO, incaded Iraq with the USA which the UK public weren’t happy about)