Exam Study Notes

Elevation and Physical Geography

  • Elevation: Height above sea level.
  • Examples of Elevation:
    • Mount Whitney: 14,494<br/>ft.<br/>(4,418<br/>m)14,494 <br />\newline ft. <br />\newline (4,418 <br />\newline m)

River Flow

  • Rivers flow AWAY from high elevation.
  • Rivers flow TOWARDS larger bodies of water.

South Asia

  • Subcontinent Definition: Geographically or culturally different from the rest of the continent.
  • Example: South Asia
  • Key Geographical Features:
    • Himalayas
    • Thar Desert
    • Indo-Gangetic Plain
    • Deccan Plateau
    • Ganges Delta
  • Mount Everest Height: 29,035<br/>ft.<br/>(8,850<br/>m)29,035 <br />\newline ft. <br />\newline (8,850 <br />\newline m)
  • Delta: The end of a river.

Middle East

  • Monotheistic Religions:
    1. Judaism
    2. Christianity
    3. Islam
    • Common Belief: Belief in one God, originating from the Middle East.
    • Monotheism Definition: Belief in one God.
  • Geography:
    1. Major Rivers: Euphrates and Tigris.
    2. Non-Renewable Resource: Petroleum (oil).
  • Major Conflicts:
    1. Conflict over land and religion between Israel and Palestine.

Africa

  • Cultural Legacies:
    1. Birthplace of humankind.
    2. Cradle of humanity.
  • Geography:
    1. Major Desert: Sahara Desert.
    2. Major Rivers:
      • Northern Africa: Nile River
      • Central Africa: Congo River
  • Conflicts:
    1. Cocoa DBQ
      • Benefits: Provides jobs, exports.
      • Drawbacks: Child and slave labor, low wages, environmental destruction.
    2. Rwandan Genocide
      • Genocide Definition: Systematic removal of a group based on race, class, politics, etc.

India

  • Major Religions:
    1. Hinduism
      • Moksha: Ultimate goal after many reincarnations.
    2. Buddhism
      • Nirvana: Ultimate goal in one lifetime.
  • Geography:
    1. Mountain Range: Himalayas.
    2. Major River: Ganges River.
  • Conflicts:
    1. Climate Change Impact: Warmer weather = more natural disasters → death, destroyed homes and farms.
    2. Caste System: Historically assigned through family lineage and karma from past lives; now illegal.

China

  • One Child Policy:
    1. Enforcement:
      • Fines, forced sterilization, and forced abortions.
      • Exceptions: Rural families, minorities, foreigners, one-child parents, etc.
      • Reasoning: Overpopulation was causing shortages in food, housing, education, and other necessities.
    2. Years in Effect: 1980-2015.

Philosophical Beliefs

  • Confucianism:
    • Core Beliefs: Value roles in society, concern for others, and peace.
    • Leadership Style: By example; show compassion and respect, receive compassion and respect.
  • Daoism/Taoism:
    • Core Beliefs: Value the natural order and see rules as artificial and disruptive.
    • Leadership Style: Reject conflict and yield; minimal rules.
  • Legalism:
    • Core Beliefs: No faith in human goodness; everyone is born evil.
    • Leadership Style: Use people's fear of punishment and hope of reward to keep peace; strict rules, harsh punishments.

Practice Examples of Philosophies

  • Legalism: Strict punishments for an efficiently run society.
  • Daoism: The best ruler is one that barely exists.
  • Confucianism: Subordinates imitate leaders; leaders exemplify good behavior.

Latin America

  • Cultural Legacies:
    1. The Mexica:
      • Founded Tenochtitlan (modern Mexico City).
      • Staples include popcorn, tortillas, tamales, etc.
      • Built Chinampas (floating islands).
    2. The Incas:
      • Largest empire before U.S. intervention in Central America (colonization).
      • Pioneered the idea of socialism.
  • Geography:
    1. Mountain Range: Andes Mountains.
    2. Major River: Amazon River.
  • Conflicts:
    • Feared the spread of communism and intervened in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, destabilizing governments and economies.

Additional Notes

  • Why People Migrate:
    • NAFTA/Globalization: Trade agreement for North American countries.
    • After NAFTA, more than 1.3 million Mexican farmers were driven out of business due to low-cost products.
  • Challenges Immigrants Face:
    • Complex immigration law codes, need for lawyers, lengthy visa approval processes.
    • Entry requirements: employment, family reunification, or humanitarian crisis.