World Geography Exam 2
What events culminated in the creation of 15 independent countries from what had been a single superpower?
After the Cold war the Soviet Union separated into 15 different independent countries
What resources and boundaries are associated with the Fertile Triangle
Also known as the Agricultural Triangle and Slavic core it hosts agricultural and industrial resources are in fact clustered encompassing five countries partially or entirely which are western Russia, northern Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova
What north-south distinctions characterized Italy and Cyprus, and what problems are associated with them?
As the result of 2004 referendum in which both sides divided Cyprus voted on whether they should be reunited, the Greek south was allowed to join the E.U. whereas Turkish north was not allowed
Why is Eastern Europe to be considered a shatterbelt in geopolitical terms ?
Eastern Europe is a classic shatterbelt due to it being a strategically located region composed of to conflicting states caught between the conflicting interests of great powers
How did the Cold War affect the geopolitics and economic geography in Europe ?
Europe has been reorganizing itself to ensure that nothing like the two world wars will happen again, they joined NATO and found a new missions in confronting apparent Russia expansionism in Ukraine. The Warsaw pact, dissolved after the Soviet Union broke up
Why is Europe usually treated a separate region?
Europe is physically part of Eurasia, but its generally labeled as a continent and is treated as a separate region
What factors led to Europe's global dominance in economic and political affairs? What impacts did the dominance have on other peoples and environment?
Europe was at the center of global forces of colonization and foreign settlement, long-distance trade, and agricultural and industrial innovation. During this time Europeans diffused crops and animals from the new and old world this was the columbian exchange
What major factors weakened Europe in the 20th century? How are Europe's political and economic institutions of today trying to create a different Europe?
Europe's economy is post-industrial the shift has caused unemployment, which worsened during the recent global economic crisis. Following the American model the countries turned to more borrowing for economic stimulus. Debt and deficient spending continues to trouble the economy in Europe
What terms and trends describe Europe's population today ?
Europe's population is twice as big as the U.S. and is demographically post-industrial, with slowly declining and aging populations
What are the dominant language, religions, and other ethnic traits of Europe
European language derives primarily from Indo-European roots and include Romance, Germanic, and Slavic language, the major religion is Christianity, and some other ethnic traits of Europe have seen muslim and jewish culture during roman times
What was the impact of German reunification o the country's economy?
Germany restored when West Germany & East reunified in 1990, and has the largest economy and population in Europe. Germany's economy had has to bear the costs of reunification of being a welfare state with the East being still poor
How are Norway, Iceland, and Japan out of step with the rest of the world where whaling is concerned ?
Iceland, Norway, and Japan are subjected to intense criticism from around the world with all three countries finding a loop hole with the International Whaling Commission explain hunting is for science
Why is immigration so critical to Europe's demographic future, and what problems are associated with immigrants ?
Immigration can help stimulate Europe's economic growth, some problems associated with immigrants is the anti-muslim sentiment and anti-semitism being an issue again
What are the regions major river system ?
In early history, rivers formed natural passageways for trade, conquest, and colonization; especially critical in the settlement of Siberia, which is drained by some of the greatest rivers on earth; by following these rivers and their lateral tributaries, the Russians advanced from the Urals to the Pacific in less than a century
what were some of the results of Russia's "shock therapy" economic reforms and the subsequent conditions of the country and its people? what accounts for the recent turnaround in Russia's economy?
Inflation; people on fixed incomes struggled to afford basic necessities; the gap between rich and poor widened; unemployment. A surge in oil prices after 1999; oil production grew by 50 percent between 1999 and 2007; biggest danger is that Russia's economy lies in excessive dependence on oil and other natural resources, including natural gas, metals, and timber, to drive the economy overall
what were the perceived advantages of collectivized agriculture, and were they realized?
It was to allow the government to administer, monitor, and indoctrinate the rural population and provide services, including education, health care, and electricity, more cheaply and efficiently. Although farmers resisted this action and was not realized.
What are the resources and economic development prospects of Sakhalin and Kamchatka? Why are the Kurils important in Russian-Japanese relations ?
Japan has negotiated contracts to buy natural gas from Sahkhalin; Kamchatka=great wilderness area + fossil fuel. Kurils are important in Russian-Japanese relations because of economic cooperation, energy
How did communism shape agriculture and industry in Eastern Europe? what economic processes have occurred there since 1990?
Mining, iron and steel, machinery production, construction materials, and electrical power were the highlights industrial program during soviet domination. Since the 1990s western Europe & China have taken advantage of inexpensive labor in Eastern Europe to outsource some production in the region
Why was post-soviet Russia characterized as a misdeveloped country?
Observers classified Russia as; Russian cross was the strongest indicator of Russia's backward momentum in the years following independence; roots of this trend were mainly economic
What is a Primate city? What examples exist in Europe and elsewhere
Primate cities are cities that has a population at least twice as large as its next largest city. Some examples would be Paris, in Europe and Cairo, Karachi and Mexico city are exemplary primate cities of Africa, Asia, and the Americas
What are Europe's main economic traits? How have these changed in recent decades?
Recent decades have seen a global shift from Europe due to war dislocation, rising nationalism, the rise of the U.S., new energy sources diminished Europe's global centrality. Nevertheless Europe is still a strong force in world economic, political, and social affairs.
What roles have rivers played in Europe's development and which rivers are the most important ?
River's have helped transport and provided geographic situations for development of many cities and the most important rivers would be Rhine and the Danube rivers
Why is Russia known as a land empire? how did it acquire its empire?
Russia established colonies in its own cast continental hinterland; colonies were drawn into relationship of economic dependence on the imperial Russian core; majority of the empire was contiguous. It acquired its empire through colonies being drawn into relationship of economic dependence
Where, outside Russia , are Russian military troops stationed ? What are the reasons for this and what events in 2008 and 2014 stirred new concerns about Russia's intentions? why did Russia annex Ukraine and how did the West respond to that incursion? What are the frozen conflicts that may bolster Russia's geopolitical interests?
Russia forcibly annexed Ukraine's crimea peninsula in 2014 and equipped pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine to challenge Ukrainian sovereignty there, of which Russia has interests maintaining cold conflicts with them. The west responded to Russia incursion into Ukraine with economic sanctions that are difficult to strengthen because they would affect Europe's reliance on Russia's gas and oil imports.
In what ways has Europe established global leadership in alternative energy development
Several countries seek global leadership in alternative energy technologies, especially to reduce green house gas emissions
what were some of the successes & failures of efforts to industrialize the Soviet Union?
Some success were propelling soviets into superpower status; improved overall standard of living; promoted rapid urbanization and industrialization; the literacy race rose. Some failures is that the soviet planning group had no free market to guide it, therefore the system produced goods that the people wouldn't buy or failed to produce items people would actually buy
What significant conflicts have occurred in this region? why has Russia so often won them? What was the geographic significance of Stalingrad in WWII? How did WWII impact Russian sentiment and nationalism today ?
Sweden in 1709, French in 1812, German in WWII, Russian Revolution, Bolshevik Revolution; environmental obstacles (brutal winters), overwhelming distances with poor roads, Russia willing to accept large numbers of casualties, Scorched Earth method. Stalingrad in WWII was the most ferocious battle on WWII's eastern front.
Why is the Common Agricultural Policy aka C.A.P. problematic within Europe and between Europe and its trading partners?
The C.A.P. often try to protect their domestic industries and have been involved in trade wars with the U.S. which likewise wants to protect its industries. Europe is under pressure from international trade to reduce its trade barriers and subsidies that protect its domestic agriculture and other industries
What are the main goals and principles of European Union? What successes and difficulties have the organization had? What makes Germany such an important power within the Union
The E.U.'s main goal is to replace fossil fuel energy with wind and other renewable energy. Some difficulty the organization had was the policies, defense, and foreign affairs. Germany plan to be the first industrial power to use 100% renewable energy by 2050
Which of the non-Russian ethnic groups in Russia are particular security concerns to Russia today?
The Hizb ut-Tahrir an outlawed Islamist party; hopes to establish a pan-Islamic caliphate throughout central Asia and is suspected of being responsible for uprisings in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
Who are the Roma, and what are their unique attributes? why and how have other ethnic groups in Europe discriminated against them?
The Roma are the gypsies and some unique attributes about them is they are poorer than the majority populations they also tend to have large families then normal. Some ethnic groups in Europe discriminate them by belittling or beguiling them.
What are the Troubles in Northern Ireland ?
The Troubles refer to this period of strife, involved and often violent struggle between Catholic Republic and Protestant Unionists in northern Ireland
How does Caspian Sea oil reach markets abroad? what factors go into decision making about those exports ?
The caspian sea and adjacent areas make up one of the worlds greatest petroleum and natural gas regions via using pipeline to reach ocean terminals. Some factors play into this depending on the country wanting to trade with that area
What factors came together to spark the Industrial Revolution, and what role did natural resources play in Europe's urban geography? How does Europe's present urban spatial pattern reflects its industrial past, and what development have made these associations less relevant today
The industrial revolution originated in Europe, with energy from coal used to manufacture textiles, iron products, and a growing array of goods. Industrialization and colonization wen hand in hand to launch Europe to global economic and political supremacy
What are the major countries and ethnolinguistic groups of Eastern Europe
The major countries of Eastern Europe were Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and ethnolinguistic groups were Albania and former Yugoslavia which consisted Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, & Macedonia
What are some of Europe's major physical and environmental characteristics? What are some attributes of diversity and what is unusual about Europe's coastline?
The most distinctive physical geographic traits are its northerly location, temperate climate, and varied topography.
What are the countries of the European core, and on what basis have they been designated as belonging to the core?
The nations making up the European core are the U.K., Ireland, France, Germany, the low countries i.e. Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and then Austria and Switzerland. The most important countries in the region are Germany, U.K., and France they are the main engine in the region
What are the main forced behind the breakup of Yugoslavia and the current borders and ethnic components of its successor countries
The violence-ridden disintegration of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s was the most profound political development in post-Soviet Eastern Europe. Yugoslavia was carved into six countries due to rivalries between ethic groups of which is called Balkanization.
What are the political affiliations of Ireland, Northern Ireland, , England, Scotland, and Wales? What is devolution and what experience has the U.K. and other countries had with this political process?
They U.K. is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, & northern Island. They form the British Isles, devolution is the dispersal of political powers to the minorities and other subnational groups which is very commonly to see within these countries history
What is Schengenland, and why is it so controversial now?
To maintain internal security within the member states and are supposed to exercise common visa, asylum, and other policies at their external borders. Although controversial now because of ISIS
To what extent have Ukraine and Belarus been dependent on Russia or interested in developing further ties with Russia? which are most and least like Russia? What problems in relations occurred between Russia and each of these counties prior to 2014
Ukraine is most like Russia, many Ukrainians leave to go to Russia; Belarus and Russia voted for economic integration in 1990, but it fell thru then they started cutting subsidies toward each other on exports. Belarus and Russia=union state fell thru; Ukraine and Russia=have same problems post-independence
What are the differences between the Europeans and Americans ?
Unlike the U.S. system, where benefits or the lack of them are largely left to market forces and personal circumstances, Europeans tend to have a social compact with their government in which they pay high taxes in return for extensive government services.
Why did Russia's population decline to form the demographic Russian Cross?
after breakup of Soviet Union: economic downturn, rising unemployment, decline in health and other services, increasing crime rates and a growing sense if despair at the individual level; rate of alcoholism soared and smoking; HIV/AIDS increased; also increase of heart disease, accidents, violence and cancer; hospitals ill-equipped to help stem the rising tide of deaths
what major dispute between two groups is focused on Nagorno-Karabkh, and what is the source of that dispute?
between Armenia and Azerbaijan over land of Nagorno-Karabkh; occupied by Armenians, technically Azerbaijan property
what environmental problems do the central Asian countries face, especially with water resources?
need tremendous quantities of water to irrigate rice
What are the main climatic belts and corresponding vegetation types of Russia and the Near Abroad? which are the most and least productive agriculture?
the Main climatic belts in Russia and Near Abroad are polar, , subarctic, humid continental, and both semiarid and desert, mostly confined to central Asia. Some with the least productive agriculture is in the east since its colder latitude effects the temperature of agriculture
What major Soviet Communist projects changed the landscapes of this regions?
virgin and idle/new lands
