Unit 2: Is Geography Destiny (Gallup, 2003) Flashcards
What are the four main channels through which geography influences economic and social development in Latin America?
- Land productivity
- Health conditions
- Natural disasters
- Access to markets
These channels highlight the multifaceted impact of geography on development outcomes.
What is the relationship between tropical location and agricultural productivity?
Tropical regions face challenges in agricultural productivity due to climate and soil conditions.
Tropical yields of principal crops are significantly lower than those in temperate zones.
What diseases are more prevalent in tropical regions of Latin America?
- Malaria
- Hookworm
- Schistosomiasis
These diseases contribute to the health burden in tropical areas, affecting economic development.
What pattern does Latin America show in terms of income by latitude?
Latin America exhibits a U-shaped gradient of income by latitude, with lower incomes generally found in tropical regions.
This pattern has persisted for centuries.
How did colonial history exacerbate geographical disadvantages in Latin America?
Colonial history introduced Old World and African diseases that significantly impacted indigenous populations and labor forces.
Diseases like smallpox played a role in the European conquest of indigenous empires.
What is the significance of geographical fragmentation in Latin America?
High geographical fragmentation complicates development by creating diverse and often disconnected regions within countries.
Latin America has the greatest geographical fragmentation in the world.
How do natural disasters affect development in Latin America?
Natural disasters disproportionately affect Latin America, causing significant setbacks due to geographical and socioeconomic vulnerabilities.
The region has experienced numerous devastating natural disasters in recent history.
Why is access to markets crucial for economic development in Latin America?
Access to markets is crucial, and coastal locations provide significant advantages for trade and economic growth.
Most export processing zones are located near the coast.
What challenges are associated with high urban concentration in Latin America?
High urban concentration presents challenges such as higher crime rates and lower social capital.
Urban giants in Latin America often experience significant social issues.
True or False: Geographical divisions are less significant than ethnic divisions in Latin America.
False
Geographical divisions can be more significant in understanding social and economic disparities.
What was a key factor in the success of the Panama Canal construction?
Effective disease control, particularly against malaria and yellow fever, was crucial for the success of the Panama Canal construction.
Dr. William Gorgas’s efforts in mosquito control were instrumental.
Fill in the blank: Tropical countries may require a greater initial effort to escape ______ compared to non-tropical countries.
poverty
Initial economic conditions and geographical limitations interplay in development trajectories.
What potential economic benefit could result from reducing diseases like malaria in tropical countries?
Reducing diseases like malaria could provide a significant economic boost, enhancing growth rates.
Countries at high risk of malaria grow slower than those that are malaria-free.
What does the U-shaped pattern of life expectancy in Latin America indicate?
Life expectancy is lower in tropical regions compared to temperate areas, indicating health disparities.
This pattern persists even after controlling for income and literacy.
How does geographical location contribute to the vulnerability of Latin America to natural disasters?
Geographical location exposes the region to various natural hazards, compounded by socioeconomic factors like poor housing and infrastructure.
High population density in disaster-prone areas increases the impact of natural disasters.
What is urban primacy and how does Latin America compare globally?
Urban primacy refers to the concentration of population and economic activity in a single city, and Latin America exhibits higher urban concentration than any other region.
This leads to unique challenges and opportunities in urban development.
True or False: The negative impacts of geography are insurmountable.
False
With appropriate policies and technology, the negative impacts of geography can be addressed.
What is the correlation between a country’s location in the tropics and economic development?
Most of the world’s poorer countries are located in tropical regions, while wealthier nations are generally in nontropical areas.
This pattern suggests a long-standing relationship between tropical geography and lower income levels.
How does per capita GDP vary by latitude in Latin America?
Per capita GDP follows a U-shape by latitude, with higher levels in the temperate south and lower levels near the equator.
This indicates a clear economic advantage for temperate regions.
What challenges does tropical agriculture face compared to temperate agriculture?
Tropical agriculture has systematically lower yields for principal crops due to distinct climate and soil conditions.
Technological developments have also historically favored temperate regions.
What is the impact of vector-borne diseases on economic development in tropical regions?
Vector-borne diseases like malaria and schistosomiasis hinder productivity and increase healthcare costs, debilitate populations, and divert resources from economic development.
The lack of distinct seasons complicates disease control.
True or False: The worldwide malaria eradication effort in the tropics was largely successful.
False
Viable vaccine strategies have not yet been developed, and inexpensive malaria drugs are losing effectiveness.
What factors exacerbate Latin America’s vulnerability to natural disasters?
Socioeconomic factors such as settlement patterns in high-risk areas, poor quality housing and infrastructure, environmental degradation, and ineffective risk mitigation strategies.
High population density in vulnerable areas also contributes.
Why is access to major world markets important for economic development?
It provides scale, competition, and exposure to technological advancements necessary for efficient production.
High transport costs can significantly reduce profitability for countries distant from these markets.
