Geography

🌍 Section A: Superpowers

💪 Hard Power

Definition: Using force or pressure to influence other countries.

  • Examples:

    • Military action or threat of war

    • Economic sanctions or trade restrictions

  • Case Example: The USA using military power in Iraq or sanctions on Russia after invading Ukraine.

  • Key Words: coercion, force, military, sanctions

🌸 Soft Power

Definition: Using culture, values, and diplomacy to influence others.

  • Examples:

    • Hollywood movies, British royal family, K-pop, foreign aid

    • Peaceful negotiations and global influence through the UN

  • Case Example: South Korea spreading its culture globally through music and TV.

  • Key Words: influence, culture, diplomacy, media

⭐ Characteristics of a Superpower

To be a superpower, a country usually has:

  1. Military Strength – strong, advanced armed forces and weapons.

  2. Economic Power – large GDP, global trade links, strong currency.

  3. Cultural Influence – popular culture, language, and values.

  4. Political Influence – seat at the UN Security Council or leading roles in organisations like NATO or the EU.

  5. Technological Strength – space programs, tech companies, innovation.

  6. Global Reach – ability to affect events anywhere in the world.

Examples:

  • USA – global military bases, huge economy, Hollywood

  • China – massive economy, global infrastructure projects (Belt & Road)

  • Emerging Superpowers – India (growing economy & IT sector)

🔮 Future of Superpowers

Key Ideas:

  • Multipolar World: More than one superpower (e.g., USA, China, EU, India)

  • Rising Powers: India, Brazil, and others are becoming more influential.

  • Climate Change & Resources: May shift power based on who controls key resources (e.g., oil, rare earth metals).

  • Technology: Countries with advanced AI, space, and cyber power may lead.

Evaluate: Will China overtake the USA? Will power become more shared globally?

🌪 Section B: Climatic Hazards (Choose 2 essays – 8 marks each)

You’ll need one case study showing:

  • Causes

  • Impacts

  • Responses

Let’s take Hurricane Katrina (2005) as an example:

🌀 Case Study: Hurricane Katrina

🌡 Causes:

  • Warm sea temperatures (above 27°C) in the Gulf of Mexico

  • Low air pressure system formed a hurricane

  • High winds and heavy rainfall

  • Poor levees around New Orleans (not strong enough)

😨 Impacts:

  • Primary:

    • 1,800 people died

    • $125 billion in damages

    • 80% of New Orleans flooded

  • Secondary:

    • Homelessness, job losses

    • Diseases from contaminated water

    • Slow emergency response led to criticism

🆘 Responses:

  • Immediate: Rescue missions by Coast Guard, emergency shelters set up

  • Long-term: Improved levee system, federal aid, rebuilding homes and infrastructure

✅ Key Words: tropical storm, category 5, storm surge, flood defences, economic impact, social impact