world geography Flashcards
What has been the main economic activity throughout Central America?
farming / agriculture
What are some of the causes of political conflict in Central America?
The growing population requires more farmland to produce food.
There is an unequal distribution of land (rich European or mestizos).
There is an unequal distribution of wealth (2/3rds are poor).
Rich dominate government/politics, favoring themselves over the majority.
What are the main economic activities in the Caribbean islands?
agriculture and tourism
Which type of Caribbean island better supports agriculture? Why?
volcanic island; fertile soil from eruptions
How do tourism BOTH help and hurt Caribbean islanders?
Provides jobs (that require few skills) so people can provide for families Unskilled work pays very little; most of the profits go to foreign companies
What are the reasons for migration among Caribbean islanders?
Work is often only part-time or seasonal and pays very little.
To escape dictatorship and political unrest.
Get higher-paying jobs elsewhere to send money back home.
What is the capital of Brazil?
Brasilia
Why did Brasilia become the capital?
The government hoped to boost the development of the interior of the country.
The gov. wanted to draw people away from the overcrowded coastal cities.
What opportunity does the biological diversity of the Amazon River basin offer science?
medical research/advances in medicine
How is the Brazilian government working to limit the destruction of the rainforest?
Promoting ecotourism; taxation policies; police and military enforcement
What are the physical/climatic conditions of Brazil’s sertao?
Poor soil and scarce grazing land
What economic effect do these conditions have on Brazilian farmers?
This contributes to the country’s poverty because people cannot afford farming equipment to improve productivity.
What gov. policies/programs have encouraged economic development in Brazil?
Built hydroelectric dams to provide for the industry.
Established a bank to lend money for new businesses.
Developed gasohol to use instead of importing oil.
Which South American country did we discuss facing the problem of an economy based on only one crop?
Columbia
What are the two dangers of a single-crop economy?
World market supply and demand can hurt profit.
Climatic hazards of disasters or depleted soil can cause crop failure.
What physical characteristic affects the lives of people across Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile?
the Andes mountains
How have the people of Andean countries adapted to the natural environment?
Physical adaptations to the thin air at high altitudes.
Vertical trading, with different crops from different altitudes.
How are the economies of Ecuador and Peru similar?
The European minority has most of the political power, and thus controls most of the wealth.
How has urbanization in Buenos Aires, Argentina affected the city BOTH positively and negatively?
Vibrant and connected to the world; job opportunities.
Very industrialized which has caused large amounts of pollution.
What are the 3 physical features of Western Europe?
North European Plain, mountain ranges, oceans/seas/rivers
What geographic feature allowed the five main colonial powers in Western Europe to build their empires? Why?
oceans; ease of travel for overseas conquest
What two ways do mountains/elevation affect Western Europe?
Climatic or rainfall due to windward and leeward sides.
Ecosystem depending on conditions at certain altitude; veg and animals.
Define compulsory
Required (in this case, education
What effect does compulsory education have on the nations of Western Europe?
Nearly 100 percent of students enrolled in primary and secondary schools
What was the main economic activity throughout England’s Midland region? AND, what major natural resource found here supported this economic activity?
Manufacturing; coal and iron ore
What two geographic factors contributed to London’s importance as a port?
Thames River and the Atlantic Ocean
From the question above, how?
Thames River - Ships sail directly to port, unlike other cities with steep cliffs. Atlantic Ocean - Global trade patterns shift westward Europeans explored.
What challenges have arisen to British industry?
Germany and the United States as new industrial powers.
Depletion of Britain’s coal supply during the Industrial Revolution.
In what ways has Scotland preserved its cultural heritage?
Own Parliament; Presbyterian instead of adopting Church of England
How have the Welsh maintained their cultural identity?
Own language, capital city, flag, postage stamps
