Europe, Africa, Rain Forests & Latin America: Geography, History, and Environment

CityState

A political unit made up of a city and surrounding land

Republic

Government where citizens elect representatives

Christianity

Based on teachings of Jesus of Nazareth; influenced European laws, education, art, and government

Roman Catholicism

Centered in Rome; led by the Pope; major influence during the Middle Ages

Eastern Orthodoxy (Greek Orthodoxy)

Major branch of Christianity centered in Eastern Europe and the Byzantine Empire; example countries: Greece, Russia

Crusades

Religious wars between Christians and Muslims over the Holy Land

Renaissance

Period of rebirth in learning, art, science, and literature; think: Leonardo da Vinci, humanism

Feudalism

Social system: Kings → Lords → Knights → Peasants; Lords owned land; peasants worked for protection

Reformation

Religious movement causing a split from the Catholic Church; led to Protestant churches

Nationalism

Strong loyalty and pride toward one's nation

Holocaust

Murder of about 6 million Jews during WWII by Nazi Germany

Benelux Countries

Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg

North Atlantic Drift

Warm ocean current; makes Europe warmer and milder

Sirocco Wind

Hot wind from North Africa into Southern Europe

Ethnic Cleansing

Forced removal of ethnic groups using violence

Plateau Continent

Much of Africa sits at high elevation

Longest River

Nile River

Sahara Desert

Largest hot desert in the world

Mount Kilimanjaro

Highest mountain in Africa

Rift Valley

Forms because tectonic plates pull apart

Basin

Large depression in Earth's surface

Escarpment

Steep slope with flat land/plateau above

Aquifer

Underground storage of water

Serengeti

Known for grasslands and wildlife migration

Transportation Problems in Africa

African rivers often have rapids, waterfalls, cataracts; result: difficult transportation and trade

Aswan High Dam

Benefit: flood control and hydroelectric power; Problem: blocks nutrient

Market Economy

Production based on consumer demand

Chromium

Used to make stainless steel

Desertification

Spread of desert conditions into fertile areas; causes: overgrazing, deforestation, climate change

Importance of Rain Forests

They produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, regulate climate, support biodiversity

Biodiversity

Variety of all living organisms

Canopy

Top layer of rain forest trees

Percent of Earth Covered by Rain Forests

About 6%

Deforestation Causes

Know all three: logging for hardwoods, farming, cattle grazing

Slash-and-Burn Farming

Cutting and burning forests to create farmland; major cause of deforestation

Soil Erosion

Increases because trees removed → soil exposed → erosion

Major Causes of Deforestation in Latin America

Know at least TWO: logging, cattle ranching, farming, road construction, mining

Environmental Effects of Deforestation

Examples: habitat loss, reduced biodiversity, increased climate change, soil erosion

Solutions/Policies for Deforestation

Examples: protected national parks, reforestation, sustainable farming, government restrictions on logging