Geographical and Social Insights on Brazil, UK, and Nigeria

Rio de Janeiro location

Southeast Brazil, Atlantic coast

Importance of Rio de Janeiro

2nd largest city in Brazil, major port and industrial centre, global importance: oil, tourism, Olympics 2016

Social opportunities in Rio

Health: mobile clinics, reduced infant mortality; Education: school grants, sports facilities; Utilities: more access to clean water & electricity

Social challenges in Rio

Poor healthcare in favelas, low school attendance/dropouts, lack of clean water, sanitation, electricity

Favela Bairro Project

Urban planning in Complexo do Alemão, paved roads, clean water, electricity, land/legal ownership for residents, improved life but not all favelas covered

Bristol location

South West England, near M4

Significance of Bristol

Port city and economic hub, two universities, focus on high-tech industry, media, and culture

Social inequality in Bristol

Filwood: deprived, poor education, high crime; Stoke Bishop: wealthy, high education, low crime

Temple Quarter Regeneration Project

Regenerating old industrial zone, improved transport links (e.g. electrified railway), new offices & creative hubs (Engine Shed), attracts investment and reduces dereliction

Nigeria location

West Africa

Importance of Nigeria

Most populous African country, fast-growing economy, oil exports (OPEC), UN peacekeeping role

Change in Nigeria's economy

Shift from farming to industry/services, growth in oil, textiles, Nollywood, manufacturing = more stable income

Pros of Shell's presence in Nigeria

+ Jobs created, infrastructure investment

Cons of Shell's presence in Nigeria

- Oil spills, environmental damage; - Profits often leave the country

Need for aid in Nigeria

Needed: health, education, poverty reduction; Limits: government corruption, poor roads/infrastructure

Key features of the UK's post-industrial economy

Decline in manufacturing, rise in services (finance, IT), growth of quaternary jobs, science & business parks (e.g. Cambridge)

Reducing the North-South divide in the UK

Enterprise Zones (tax breaks for firms), Northern Powerhouse investment, HS2 and road/rail upgrades

Major UK infrastructure improvements

HS2: high-speed rail (London-North); Liverpool2: deep-water port expansion

Tourism's impact on Jamaica

Tourism = 24% of GDP, 200,000+ jobs, infrastructure investment (roads, ports), local business boosts

Downsides of tourism in Jamaica

Seasonal & low-paid jobs, environmental damage, wealth concentrated in tourist areas

Sustainable tourism initiatives in Jamaica

Ecotourism (e.g. Blue Mountains), community tourism initiatives, marine conservation projects

Change in the UK's energy mix

Reduced coal use, growth in wind & solar, gas and nuclear still important

Pros of renewable energy in the UK

+ Low emissions, sustainable

Cons of renewable energy in the UK

- Weather-dependent, costly, visual impact

Fracking definition

Shale gas extraction using high-pressure water

Controversy of fracking

Risk of groundwater pollution, can cause small earthquakes

UK energy security improvements

Investing in renewables, reducing fossil fuel use, importing energy from stable sources, diversifying energy supply