Geography and Environmental Studies Quiz

Argentina's Environmental Policies

• Argentina is considered a global role model for environmental policies due to its strong conservation efforts, renewable energy initiatives, and significant land protection policies.

Vertical Climate Zones

• Vertical climate zones change with elevation, impacting temperature and vegetation.

Primate City (Mexico City)

• A primate city is the largest and most influential in a country.
• Mexico City is considered a primate city as it is the largest city in Mexico, serving as its political and economic center.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

• GDP represents the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders during a specific time period.

Northern Mexico's Climate

• Northern Mexico has an arid or semi-arid desert climate.

Mestizo

• A mestizo is a person of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry.

Free Trade Zone

• A free trade zone is an area where goods can be imported, manufactured, and exported without tariffs.

Subsidence

• Subsidence is the downward shifting of land due to natural and human factors.

Mexico City's Water Scarcity

• Water scarcity in Mexico City is caused by over-extraction of groundwater, pollution, and rapid population growth.

Hernan Cortes and the Aztec Empire

• Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire.

Mexico's Leading Natural Resource

• Mexico is a leading producer of petroleum (oil).

United Provinces of Central America

• The United Provinces of Central America was a federation of Central American states.
• It dissolved in 1841.

Columbian Exchange

• The Columbian Exchange involved the transfer of plants, animals, culture, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World after 1492.

Haciendas

• Haciendas are large agricultural estates in Latin America, owned by families or corporations.

Haiti's Independence

• Haiti gained independence from France in 1804, led by Toussaint-Louverture.

Panama Canal

• The Panama Canal connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
• It opened on August 15, 1914.

Isthmus

• An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses.

Central America Deforestation

• Leading causes of deforestation in Central America are agriculture expansion, logging, and urban development.

Caribbean Islands' Climate

• Caribbean islands typically have a tropical climate.

Tierra Caliente

• Tierra Caliente is a hot, low-elevation climate zone.

PRODESEC

• PRODESEC promotes sustainable development and security in Central America.

Escarpment

• An escarpment is a steep slope or cliff between different land elevations.

Amazon River

• The Amazon River is the longest river in the Western Hemisphere.

Brain Drain

• Brain drain refers to the emigration of skilled individuals from one country to another.

Patagonia's Climate

• Patagonia is dry, barren, and windy due to being in the rain shadow of the Andes Mountains.

Pampas

• The pampas are fertile lowlands in Argentina known for agriculture.

Oxisol

• Oxisol is a nutrient-poor soil found in tropical regions.

South America's Crop Exports

• Major crop exports from South America include soybeans, coffee, sugar, and corn.

South America's Predominant Climates

• South America has tropical climates in the north, arid climates in the west, and temperate climates in the south.

Monoculture's Impact on Soil

• Monoculture (growing a single crop) depletes soil nutrients and reduces biodiversity.

Afghanistan's Dominant Ethnic Group

• The Pashtuns are the dominant political group in Afghanistan.

Central Asia's Workforce & Arable Land

• Nearly half of Central Asia's workforce relies on farming despite limited arable land.

US Overthrow of the Taliban Government

• The US overthrew the Taliban government after 9/11.

Central Asian Countries with Christian Majorities

• Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have Christian majorities.

Karakum Desert

• The Karakum Desert is a dune-covered desert in Central Asia.

Caspian Sea

• The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water.

Oasis

• An oasis is a fertile area in the desert with available water.

Arabian Shield

• The Arabian Shield is a geological formation of ancient rocks in western Arabia.

Arabian Peninsula's Sustainable Agriculture

• Arabian Peninsula countries are adopting sustainable farming practices and water conservation technologies.

Arabian Peninsula's Freshwater Management

• They employ desalination plants and efficient irrigation systems for freshwater management.

Shari'ah

• Shari'ah is Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith.

Makkah

• Makkah is Islam's holiest city, Muhammad's birthplace.

Shia Islam

• Shia Islam regards Muhammad's son-in-law as the rightful successor.

Sunni Islam

• Sunni Islam considers the first four successors to Muhammad as his rightful successors.

OPEC

• OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) regulates oil production to stabilize the market and ensure fair prices.

Northeast Region's Religion

• The majority of the people in the Northeast region are Muslim.

Tehran's Air Pollution

• Tehran suffers from significant air pollution, causing numerous deaths.

Dardanelles

• The Dardanelles is a narrow strait connecting the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara in Turkey.

Cuneiform

• Cuneiform is an ancient writing system using wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.

Euphrates River

• The Euphrates River provides water to all of Syria.

Palestine Post-1947 UN Decision

• Palestine was partitioned into Jewish and Arab states after the 1947 UN decision, leading to conflict and Israel's establishment.

Eastern Mediterranean Slow Economic Development

• Political instability, conflict, and lack of resources hamper economic development in Eastern Mediterranean countries.

Monotheism

• Monotheism is the belief in a single, all-powerful God.

Desertification

• Desertification is the process of fertile land turning into desert due to factors like drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Desalination

• Desalination is the process of removing salt from seawater to use it for drinking and irrigation.

Shared Religious Roots (Christianity, Judaism, Islam)

• Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are monotheistic religions tracing their origins to Abraham.

North African Post-Colonial Output

• North African countries have generally increased manufacturing output after the decline of European control, focusing on agriculture and natural resources.

Great Man-Made River Challenges

• Environmental challenges of the Great Man-Made River system include water scarcity, pollution, and sustainability concerns.

North Africa's Food Imports

• Many North African countries import food due to arid climates and limited arable land.

Algeria

• Algeria is a North African country that exports natural gas and gained independence from France in the mid-20th century.

Libya's Freshwater System

• Libya has a pumping and pipeline system to provide freshwater across its expansive region.

Nile River Valley (Egypt)

• The Nile River Valley (Egypt) is the birthplace of some of the earliest civilizations.

Physical & Cultural Features (North Africa, Southwest Asia, Central Asia)

• Physical:*
• North Africa: Sahara Desert, Nile River, Atlas Mountains
• Southwest Asia: Arid deserts, Arabian Peninsula, Tigris and Euphrates rivers
• Central Asia: Vast steppes, Tien Shan Mountains, Kyzylkum Desert
• Cultural:*
• North Africa: Arab and Berber cultures, predominantly Islamic
• Southwest Asia: Arab, Persian, and Turkish cultures, predominantly Islamic
• Central Asia: Turkic and Persian cultures, varying degrees of Islamic influence

Problems & Solutions (North Africa, Southwest Asia, Central Asia)

• Countries:* North Africa, Southwest Asia, Central Asia
• Problems:*
• North Africa: Water scarcity, political instability, economic challenges
• Southwest Asia: Conflict, terrorism, economic inequality
• Central Asia: Environmental issues (desertification, water management)
• Solutions:*
• North Africa: Investing in renewable energy and water management
• Southwest Asia: Peace negotiations, economic diversification
• Central Asia: Regional water-sharing agreements, sustainable practices

Vertical Climate Zones (Clarification)

• Vertical climate zones describe climate variations based on elevation, affecting vegetation and crops.

Glossary of Key Terms (from the provided questions)

• Seismic: Relating to earthquakes.
• Conquistador: Spanish explorer and conqueror.
• Cash Crop: Crop grown for sale rather than consumption.
• Latifundia: Large agricultural estates in Latin America.
• Entrepot: Trading center.