2024 1st Sem Geography Exam Review

Study Notes

2024 1st Semester Exam Review

U.S. and Canada as a Region: The U.S. and Canada are considered a single region due to similar historical development, cultures, and a shared landmass.
Plate Boundaries:
Transform boundaries: Plates slide past each other.
Convergent boundaries: One plate moves under another.
Divergent boundaries: Plates move apart, creating new crust.
Arctic and Subarctic Landscape: Glacial erosion is the primary factor shaping the Arctic and sub-Arctic landscape.
Volcanoes: Volcanoes are a global tectonic force.
Subtropical Zones: These regions experience warm, dry summers and mild winters with moderate to high rainfall.
Temperate Zones: Characterized by four distinct seasons and year-round rainfall; deciduous forests are common.
Tropical Zones: These zones have consistent warm temperatures, high humidity, abundant rainfall, and a diverse range of plant and animal life.
Northern Hemisphere: Contains more land than water; includes continents like Europe and North America, as well as the Tropic of Cancer.
Southern Hemisphere: Contains more water than land; includes Australia and Antarctica, as well as the Tropic of Capricorn.
Panama Canal: Built in the early 1900s, the Panama Canal became a significant industrial center.
Natural Disaster Impacts: Hurricanes, flooding, and tsunamis result in property destruction, loss of life, disease outbreaks, and malnutrition.
Volcanic Eruptions: Erupting volcanoes can lead to breathing difficulties.
Population Density: Determined by dividing the population in an area by its square footage.
Island Geography:
Leeward side: Experiences a rain shadow, resulting in dry, descending air.
Westward side: Receives more precipitation, water vapor, and vegetation.
Latitude and Climate: Lower latitudes tend to be warmer, while higher latitudes are cooler.

Cultural and Historical Influences

Language Influence: French as an official language in parts of Africa, and Portuguese in Brazil, demonstrate the cultural influence of European colonization.
Geographic Locations: The Rocky Mountains, Cascade Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains, and Grand Teton mountains are mentioned.
Columbian Exchange Impact: The exchange of diseases, ideas, food, crops, and populations between the Old World and New World, following Christopher Columbus's voyages, is a significant historical event causing an impact on the Americas.
Colonial Heritage Effects: Spanish colonization left lasting impacts on Latin America, particularly in language and religion.
Governance Systems:
Democracy: Leaders rule with citizen consent.
Autocracy: One person holds unlimited power.
Theocracy: Rule is divinely inspired.
Monarchy: Hereditary ruler holds supreme power.
State Land Division in Texas: State, district, county, and precinct are layers of state land division in Texas.
Economic Systems:
Individuals and society control the distribution of goods and services.
Capitalism and the cottage industry govern distribution.
Ethnic Diversity Factors: Language and religion are commonly associated with ethnic groups.
Reasons for Migration: Push factors are related to issues like political unrest or religious persecution; pull factors are advantages in the new location, like freedom of speech or worship.