Study Guide for Midterm ExamWorld Geography

Define FamineExtreme scarcity of foodAs in the Great Irish Potato

Famine

What is the Colombian Exchange?

An exchange of food, plants, animals and disease from the Old World (Europe) to the New World (Americas).

Where did the California gold strike occur?At Sutter’s MillEstablished the city of San

FranciscoPopulation established allowed

California to become a state.Called 49ers.

Low standard of living occursWhen you have a short life

expectancyInfant mortality (death) rates are

high per thousand.Average income is low

What is Arid?Dry Humans, plants and animals

must adapt to life with little water.

How are arches created?When bedrock is more resistant

to weathering and erosion than the surrounding area.

Latitude and ElevationCan have a similar effect.Can create an ice-capped

mountain even when it is on the equator.

Ex. , Mt. Kilimanjaro

What is the Coriolis Effect?The Coriolis Effect contributes to

the circular motion of the wind around pressure systems which move weather patterns.

It is because the earth spins on its axis.

Contributes to tornados and hurricanes.

Central America’s RainforestsAre decreasing.Costa Rica is trying to preserve

their rainforests through eco-tourism.

Inca Indians of South AmericaLived in the Andes Mountains.Farmed using terracesDid not have a written language.

European UnionAn economic agreement between

Western European Nations.The Euro is their currency.Passports are not needed

between member nations.

Jet Stream Patterns of North America.

Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow air currents found in the atmosphere.

Green RevolutionThe use of scientific farming

methods and improved varieties of seeds to increase agricultural output.

Facebook and TwitterSocial mediaAllows people to connect through

common interests.Can cause revolutions, new

ideas, etc.

How can you grow plants in an arid land?By irrigationWater is either hauled in orWells are dug

What are polders?Found in the NetherlandsThey are dikes that hold back the

seaThey reclaim land from the sea

Define: diffusionThe movement of goods and

ideas from one culture to another

How did the U.S. benefit from the immigration of German Jews before WW II

Scientists who were Jewish escaped Nazi Germany

They brought knowledge of atomic weapons

Define suffrageThe right to voteWomen have had to fight to get

the right to vote in most all countries.

South AmericanHas two main European

languagesSpanish and Portuguese

DemocracyFirst practiced in ancient GreeceIn AthensLeader is PericlesModel for modern democracies.

CultureA set of common customs,

institutions and beliefs of a people

This can include religion, language, traditions…

Karl MarxA German JewCreated the idea of communismClass struggle and revolutionary

changeWorkers should own the means of

production.No private property!

TotalitarianGovernment control of

everythingNo freedomA dictatorship

OverfishingHas depleted the oceans’ fish

populations.Some people believe that

governments should regulate fishing

Suez and Panama canalsTrade paths that have cut land

between two bodies of water.Shorten trade routesSave money, miles & time.

NAFTANorth America Free Trade

AgreementCaused some American

companies to move their factories to Mexico

Caused Americans to lose jobsAn agreement between Canada,

U.S. and MexicoBill signed by Pres. Clinton

Subsistence farmingProducing just enough food for a

family’s survivalDo not produce enough to sell for

profit (money)

Market EconomyFree marketPrices are determined by supply

and demandUsually the economic system of

democracies

Taiga biomeFound in Canada, Russia and

EuropeIt is a forest region biomeDetermined by climateThe word is Russian

RussiaRussia is on two continents and is

mostly cold.Warm water ports are important

for shipping goods and supplies to a country.

DiseaseIn today’s globalization disease

can spread rapidly due to increased travel between continents.

Inca, Maya, & Aztec IndiansAre Latin American nativesUsed advanced technology to

build complex structures.

Four Economic Sectors The primary sector of the economy

extracts or harvests products from the earth.

The secondary sector of the economy manufactures finished goods.

The tertiary sector of the economy is the service industry. Advertizing, etc…

The quaternary sector of the economy consists of intellectual activities: government, culture, libraries, scientific research, education, and information technology.