Geography Revision Sheet PDF

Geography Revision Sheet ======================== Theme 1: Natural Environment ---------------------------- ### **1. Types of Relief and Climates** ### **Relief Types** 1. **Mountains**: - **Definition**: Elevated areas with steep slopes and high altitudes. - **Examples**:...

Geography Revision Sheet ======================== Theme 1: Natural Environment ---------------------------- ### **1. Types of Relief and Climates** ### **Relief Types** 1. **Mountains**: - **Definition**: Elevated areas with steep slopes and high altitudes. - **Examples**: Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians. - **Influences**: - Cooler temperatures due to altitude. - High precipitation, often snow. - Economic activities: tourism (skiing), hydropower, and limited agriculture. 2. **Plains**: - **Definition**: Flat or gently rolling lowlands. - **Examples**: Great European Plain. - **Influences**: - Fertile soils support agriculture. - High population density due to ease of construction and farming. 3. **Plateaus**: - **Definition**: Elevated flat areas, often bordered by steep slopes. - **Examples**: Massif Central in France. - **Influences**: Grazing and wind energy; less arable due to thin soils. 4. **Valleys**: - **Definition**: Lowlands between hills or mountains, often carved by rivers. - **Examples**: Rhine and Po Valleys. - **Influences**: Fertile lands for agriculture; corridors for transportation and trade. ### **Climates** 1. **Mediterranean**: - Hot, dry summers; mild, wet winters (e.g., Southern Europe). 2. **Continental**: - Large temperature variations; warm summers, cold winters (e.g., Central/Eastern Europe). 3. **Maritime**: - Mild, wet climate with minimal temperature extremes (e.g., Western Europe). 4. **Polar**: - Extremely cold, dry conditions; tundra vegetation (e.g., Scandinavia). ### **2. Two Climate Zones in Detail** ### **Mediterranean Climate** - **Location**: Found in Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece). - **Characteristics**: - Hot, dry summers (average 30°C). - Mild, wet winters (average 10--15°C). - Long growing season suitable for crops like olives and citrus. - **Influencing Factors**: - **Latitude**: Positioned near 30°--45° latitude, receiving intense summer sunlight. - **Proximity to the Sea**: Moderates extreme temperatures, sea breezes cool coastal areas. - **Relief**: Coastal areas have warmer temperatures; mountains block moist winds, creating rain shadows. - **Human Activities**: - Tourism, agriculture (vineyards, olive groves). - Vulnerable to droughts and wildfires due to dry summers. ### **Continental Climate** - **Location**: Found in Central and Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, Russia). - **Characteristics**: - Cold winters (-10°C to -20°C). - Warm summers (20°C to 30°C). - Moderate rainfall spread throughout the year. - **Influencing Factors**: - **Latitude**: Between 45°--60°; further from equator than Mediterranean. - **Distance from the Sea**: Less maritime influence; greater seasonal temperature variation. - **Relief**: Plains experience extreme temperatures; mountainous regions are cooler. - **Human Activities**: - Mixed farming, forestry, and industrial activities. - Challenges: Harsh winters disrupt transport and agriculture. ### **3. Impact of Climate Variations on Human Activities** ### **Mediterranean Climate** - **Opportunities**: - Tourism (beaches, heritage sites like the Colosseum). - Agriculture: Olives, grapes, and citrus thrive. - **Challenges**: - Droughts: Impact water supply and agriculture (e.g., 2021 drought in Italy). - Wildfires: Devastate ecosystems and tourism (e.g., Greece fires in 2021). ### **Continental Climate** - **Opportunities**: - Forestry: Dense forests provide timber resources. - Agriculture: Grain crops like wheat grow well in summer. - **Challenges**: - Harsh winters: Interrupt transportation and heating demands. - Flooding: Heavy spring rains combined with snowmelt (e.g., Danube flooding). ### **4. Climate Change Threats in Europe** ### **Mediterranean Zone** - **Hazards**: - Desertification: Expanding arid zones threaten agriculture. - Sea-level rise: Coastal cities like Venice face frequent flooding. - **Natural Disasters**: - Heatwaves: Prolonged drought periods damage crops and strain water resources. ### **Continental Zone** - **Hazards**: - Erratic weather: Unpredictable rainfall leads to droughts or floods. - Heatwaves: Increasing summer temperatures strain energy grids and health systems. - **Natural Disasters**: - Flooding: Rivers like the Elbe and Danube overflow more frequently. ### **5. EU's Climate Change Mitigation: The Green Deal** ### **Overview** The European Green Deal aims for a carbon-neutral EU by 2050 through strategic reforms in energy, transport, and agriculture. ### **Strategies**: 1. **Energy**: Transition to renewables, phase out coal. 2. **Carbon Pricing**: EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) penalizes polluters. 3. **Agriculture**: - "Farm to Fork" strategy promotes organic farming and reduces pesticides. - Protects biodiversity through sustainable practices. 4. **Circular Economy**: Focuses on waste reduction, recycling, and resource efficiency. ### **6. Solutions to Green Deal Objectives** - **Energy**: Expand solar, wind farms; improve grid infrastructure. - **Transport**: Electrify public transport; increase adoption of electric vehicles. - **Agriculture**: Shift to sustainable farming practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions. - **Public Engagement**: Education campaigns to encourage sustainable lifestyles. Theme 2: Population ------------------- ### **1. Population Distribution in Europe** ### **Key Patterns**: 1. **Densely Populated Areas**: Western Europe (UK, Germany, Netherlands). - Economic hubs, favorable climate, fertile lands. 2. **Sparsely Populated Areas**: Scandinavia, mountainous regions (Alps, Pyrenees). - Harsh climates, poor soils, rugged relief. ### **Factors Influencing Distribution**: - **Physical**: Climate and relief (lowlands attract higher populations). - **Economic**: Urban areas with better job prospects (e.g., London). - **Historical**: Industrial Revolution concentrated populations in resource-rich areas. - **Social**: Education, healthcare access attract migration to urban centers. ### **2. Urban Development: Blue Banana Corridor** - **Definition**: Densely urbanized and industrialized zone from Manchester (UK) to Milan (Italy). - **Growth Factors**: - Historic industrial centers (e.g., Ruhr Valley). - Strategic transport links (e.g., Rhine River ports, highways). - Financial hubs (e.g., Zurich, Milan). ### **3. Population Demographics** ### **Trends**: - **Fertility Rates**: Declining; below replacement level (1.5 children/woman). - **Life Expectancy**: Increasing; EU average is 82 years. - **Aging Population**: Rising median age (45+ years in countries like Germany). ### **Impacts**: - Higher dependency ratios strain healthcare and pension systems. - Shrinking labor force necessitates migration or automation in industries. ### **4. Impact of Aging Populations** ### **Economic Challenges**: - Rising healthcare and pension costs. - Labor shortages affect industries and economic productivity. ### **Urbanization**: - Cities must adapt infrastructure (e.g., healthcare facilities, elder-friendly transport). ### **Examples**: - France's pension reforms to address aging workforce. - Germany's reliance on immigration to fill labor gaps. This sheet provides an in-depth but structured overview for preparing effectively for the Geography test.