Geography 151 Notes

Lecture 1 - Quantitative World Geography

Projection

  • A flat map made from the round Earth is called a projection.

  • Projections always have some distortion.

Is Greenland a Country?

  • Many consider Greenland synonymous with the term sovereign state.

  • Greenland is not a sovereign state; it belongs to Denmark.

Autonomy vs. Sovereignty

  • Autonomy: Limited freedom from external authority.

    • Examples: Greenland, Hong Kong, Native American reservations.

  • Sovereignty: Supreme, independent authority over a geographic area.

    • Approximately 200 countries exist; UN has 193 members, US recognizes 197, and the Olympic Committee recognizes 206.

GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

  • Represents the total value of goods and services produced in a country within a year.

    • Also reflects market value, economic activity, wealth, income, or productivity.

  • GDP does not account for standard of living.

    • G7 countries generate about 44% of the world's total income.

Lecture 2 - G7 and the G20

G7 Countries

  • Members: Canada (CAN), France (FRA), Great Britain (GBR), Germany (GER), Italy (ITL), Japan (JAP), USA.

  • USA leads with $27.4 trillion (2023); EU collectively has $18.3 trillion (2023).

  • China ranks second with $17.8 trillion (2023).

G20

  • Established to promote dialogue among major economies.

  • Replaced the G8 as the main economic council in 2009, accounting for ~85% of world’s nominal GDP.

Descriptive Statistics

  • Mean: Represents the average and is sensitive to outliers.

  • Median: The middle value, less affected by extremes.

Scatterplot

  • Utilized to observe interactions between two variables.

    • Examples: Area vs. Population, Population vs. GDP, Area vs. GDP (shows strong correlation).

Lecture 3 - Human Development Indices and Economic Metrics

Details of GDP

  • Nominal GDP: The default measure based on current exchange rates.

  • GDP (PPP): Adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity, considering cost of living differences.

  • GDP per capita: GDP divided by population (indicates productivity of the average individual).

  • Gross National Income (GNI): Counts production based on who produced it rather than where.

Human Development Index (HDI)

  • A composite index measuring life expectancy, education, and income.

  • Published by the United Nations Development Programme, prioritizes human standards over economic purely.

GINI Coefficient

  • Measures income inequality:

    • High score indicates larger gaps between rich and poor.

    • Low score indicates less disparity.

Core-Periphery Model

Concept

  • Represents the exploitative relationship where the core economically exploits the periphery.

    • Historically based on colonization and later focusing on economic labor dynamics (e.g., cheap labor in periphery).

Three Worlds Theory

  1. Political ideology classifications:

    • First World: United States and allies.

    • Second World: USSR and allies.

    • Third World: Non-aligned countries, replaced with "developing countries" for sensitivity.

Geographical Patterns

Superpower

  • Defined as a state with dominant international influence and ability to project power globally.

  • Known historically as a hegemon in international relations.

Lingua Franca

  • A bridge language used between non-shared language speakers.

  • Currently, English serves as the global lingua franca.

    • Other UN languages include Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Russian, Spanish.

Economic Organization and Alliances

OECD Countries

  • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, consisting of 35 member countries, primarily in Europe and North America.

BRICS

  • Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa: Major emerging markets since 2010.

    • Expected to become dominant economies by 2050, recently expanded to include more members.

Geography of Europe and Russia

Overview

  • Europe is divided from Asia by Ural and Caucasus mountains, bordered by Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Seas.

  • Contains approximately 50 countries and is the third most populous and second smallest continent.

Greece and Its Geography

  • Greek city-states were historically fragmented due to mountainous terrain, often engaging in their conflicts but uniting against external threats like Persia.

Historical Empires

  • Macedonian Empire: Established under Alexander the Great, with territorial disputes still present (e.g., the naming conflict with North Macedonia).

  • Roman Empire: Centered in Italy, spread across modern regions like Turkey and North Africa.

Islam and its Geographic Impact

Spread of Islam

  • Rapid expansion from Saudi Arabia post-622, influencing the demographics of Eastern Europe (e.g., significant Muslim populations in Kosovo).

  • Charles Martel halted further Islamic expansion in France during the 8th century.

The Balkans

  • Political power dynamics led to fragmentation due to the historical influence of Austria, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire.

  • The term "Balkanization" depicts such fragmentation, focusing on hostility and non-cooperative relationships.

Modern Political Boundaries and Conflicts

The USSR and Yugoslavia

  • The USSR (1922-1991) emerged from Eastern Europe, facing challenges of nationalism in Yugoslavia, which split into several nations post-conflict.

  • The League of Nations set precedents for international cooperation, leading to the establishment of the United Nations after WWII.

Cold War Dynamics

  • Post-WWII, Europe experienced a division, aligning with NATO or WARSAW Pact nations, leading to proxy wars and nuclear arsenals.

Economic Zones and Their Implications

Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ)

  • Extend 200 nautical miles from a country's coast, impacting maritime rights and economic policies.

Resource Management Challenges

The Resource Curse

  • Countries reliant on natural resources often experience economic struggles compared to those with diverse economies. This includes issues like low taxes leading to government inefficiency, known as "Dutch disease".

Notable Regions in Europe

  • BeNeLux: Political union comprising Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

  • Modern France: Attractive for its historical colonial empire and having major cities like Paris that serve as primate cities.

Ethnic and Nationalist Movements

  • Noteworthy nationalist movements in regions like Basque and Catalonia highlight the sociopolitical complexities in Europe, alongside a large presence of microstates and the unique demographic makeup of the Balkans.