Testing Previous Knowledge 2ºESO

1. What is Geography? It is a field of science dedicated to the study of the lands, the characteristics, the inhabitants, and the phenomena of the Earth. So is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. A literal translation from Greek would be "to describe or write about the Earth".

2. What is the difference between Human Geography and Physical Geography?

Physical Geography : is the study of Earth’s seasons, climate, atmosphere, soil, streams, landforms, and oceans. Focuses on the physical problems and the issues of lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and global flora and fauna patterns (biosphere).

Human Geography : is the study of the distribution of networks of people and cultures on Earth’s surface. Focus on the study of patterns and processes that shape the human society. It encompasses the human, political, cultural, social, and economic aspects.

3. What do you think about the Middle Ages?

In European history, the Middle Ages, or Medieval period, lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery.

After Antiquity there were substantial changes in society and political structures. Political structure based upon primary loyalty to an overlord rather than to a country. This changed somewhat during the 14 and 15 centuries as nations grew in importance.

Church, enormously powerful, had influence over almost every aspect of personal life. Particularly in the earlier centuries this included the Pope's massive influence in international affairs.

The Middle Ages economy was characterized by deep social stratification and a largely agricultural system.

4. Do you remember who the Romans were?

Ancient Rome was an Italic civilization that began on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to become one of the largest empires in the ancient world.

In its approximately 12 centuries of existence, Roman civilization shifted from a monarchy to a classical republic to an increasingly autocratic empire. Through conquest and assimilation, it came to dominate Southern and Western Europe, Asia Minor, North Africa, and parts of Northern and Eastern Europe. Rome was preponderant throughout the Mediterranean region and was one of the most powerful entities of the ancient world. It is often grouped into "Classical Antiquity" together with ancient Greece, and their similar cultures and societies are known as the Greco-Roman world.

Ancient Roman society contributed greatly to modern government, law, politics, engineering, art, literature, architecture, technology, warfare, religion, language and society.

5. What is Islam?

It is the second largest world religion. It has around 1, 5 billion believers.

Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad. Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God. The Arabic word for God is Allah. Muslims base their laws and beliefs on their holy book: the Qur'an. They believe that the Sunnah is the practical example of Prophet Muhammad and that there are five basic Pillars of Islam: declaration of faith, pray five times a day, give money to charity, fasting (Ramadan) and a pilgrimage to Mecca (at least once).

6. What was Al-Andalus? Do you know how long were Muslims in the Peninsula?

Also known as Muslim Spain or Islamic Iberia, was a medieval Islamic state occupying at its peak most of what are today Spain and Portugal (at its greatest geographical extent, in the eighth century). The name more generally describes parts of the Iberian Peninsula governed by Muslims at various times between 711 and 1492, though the boundaries changed constantly as the reconquista progressed.

7. Can you mention any medieval monument? Where are they? Could you describe it?

There are too many options. Only Gala, Marta (Alhambra), Clara, Verónica, Inés (Castillo de Manzanares), Íñigo (Edimburg’s Cathedral) and David Enrique (Toledo) were right.

8. How was America discovered?

In 1485, Columbus presented his plans to King John II of Portugal. His objective was to sail west until he reached Asia (the Indies) where the riches of gold, pearls and spice awaited. Portugal was not interested in a western trade route to Asia crossing unknowns seas. Therefore, Columbus traveled from Portugal to Spain to convince the Catholic Monarchs of Spain to finance the expedition. Columbus led his three ships - the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria - out of the Spanish port of Palos de la Frontera on August 3, 1492. Land was first sighted at 2 a.m. on October 12, 1492.

9. Do you know what was the Renaissance?

Renaissance, literally “rebirth”, is the period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages and conventionally held to have been characterized by a surge of interest in Classical learning and values. The Renaissance also witnessed the discovery and exploration of new continents, the decline of the feudal system and the growth of commerce, and the invention or application of such potentially powerful innovations as paper, printing, the mariner’s compass, and gunpowder.

It is perhaps best known for its artistic developments and the contributions of some important men as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who inspired the term "Renaissance man".

Renaissance began in Florence, Italy, in the 14th century. In the 15th century, the Renaissance spread with great speed from its birthplace in Florence, first to the rest of Italy, and soon to the rest of Europe. The invention of the printing press by German printer Johannes Gutenberg allowed the rapid transmission of these new ideas. As it spread, its ideas diversified and changed, being adapted to local culture.