WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Diverse landscapes (i.e., Rift Valley, savannas, Mt. Kilimanjaro, highlands, etc.) -
ANSWER-Africa is home to many unique and beautiful landforms
1. Rift Valley: divergent plate boundary w/ waterfalls
2. Savannas: high plains plateaus like the Serengeti
3. Mt. Kilimanjaro: highest mountain in Africa
4. Great Escarpment: South Africa
Three dominant religious practices in the region - ANSWER-1. Islam
2. Christianity
3. Animism
African slave trade: its history and consequences - ANSWER-Most slaves came
from West Africa. West African society was upended, takes the strongest in the
population. African tribes would sell out their enemies into Slavery. The only people
left were not the best and the brightest
Colonization and the "scramble for Africa" in the 19th century (i.e., Berlin
Conference) - ANSWER-European powers split up Africa to colonize without
consulting the African Countries. These Euro powers allowed military occupation in
their colonized regions, and this led to military conflicts between African peoples
militaries. Colonization hindered the growth of Indigenous African societies.
History of South Africa and apartheid - ANSWER-Segregation in South Africa goes
back to White Afrikaners (Dutch) who set up "Native Reserves." From 1948 to 1994,
systematic segregation and discrimination at al levels of society in South Africa.
Afrikaner National Party controlled government for 40 years.
Opposition to Apartheid in the 50's paralleled the Civil Rights Movement in America.
Led by Nelson Mandela. Apartheid abolished in 1992 and Mandela is elected in
1994.
Geopolitics: unstable political systems (failed state syndrome, lack of infrastructure),
poverty, terrorism, HIV/Aids, brain drain. - ANSWER-Africa has a plethora of
geopolitical issues:
1. Failed state syndrome: governments fail to maintain power; cannot fight against
local terrorism (islamic extremists). Humanitarian aid is stolen by criminals/terrorists
and the government is corrupt. Muslim governments brought from migration allow for
terrorist training camps.
2. Lack of infrastructure: Lack of functioning government and economy has led to a
lack of focus on infrastructure in the region (roads, running water). This is also part of
poverty (failing economy)
3. Diseases: HIV/Aids orginated in Africa; lack of proper healthcare, disease spreads
easy because of ihgh population. Malaria is common and deadly as there is no
vaccine in the region.
, 4. Brain Drain: When educated citizens in the region leave rather than staying. They
leave to find opportunities in Western or European countries.
Southwest Asia and North Africa - ANSWER-Southwest Asia and North Africa
River systems: Nile, Tigris and Euphrates - ANSWER-These River systems led to
the creation of systematic agriculture (purposeful farming). Systematic Agriculture
leads to trade, written language (ledgers), and social organization.
Transition from nomadic to systematic agriculture and consequences of this shift
(written languages, fortified cities, trade, larger populations, etc.) - ANSWER-The
Ecological Trilogy was based on the interdependence of Villagers, Nomads, and
Urbanites in the region.
Shifting to systematic agriculture necessitated written language (for ledgers) and
trade, created larger populations, organized cities (fortification).
Religious hearths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam - ANSWER-Middle east and North
Africa are home to the world's most dominant religions: Christianity, Judasim, and
Islam. All three religions hold sacred land, and even share historical land in the
region. This leads to conflicts over who gets what.
Ecological trilogy - ANSWER-The Ecological Trilogy was based on the
interdependence of Villagers, Nomads, and Urbanites in the region. Villagers
supplied Nomads with food and Nomads provided Villagers with livestock goods like
meat and milk. Urbanites traded in city centers and supplied Villagers with
manufactured goods and cultural amenities (anything could be bought in cities).
Villagers, again, supply food to Urbanites along with soldiers and workers (labor).
Creation of Israel as a nation and the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts - ANSWER-After
WWII, Israel is mandated by the UN to become a home for the worlds Jews
(historically Jewish and Muslim Territory). 56% on the land goes to Israel and 48%
goes to Palestine and Jerusalem is considered and international city (shared).
1950: First Israeli-Arab War; Israel declares Jerusalem its capital
1967: "6 day war"; Israel preumptively strikes Arab nations after continued threats
against Israel. Israel wins and occupies Arab territories, but gives them back.
Present Day: Conflict between Hamas terrorist and Israelis. PLO is the "government"
of Gaza
Arab Spring - ANSWER-In 2011, Revolutions begin to spring up due to Social media
and Social networking. Traditional geography of revolt in public spaces plays a major
role.
Europe - ANSWER-Europe
· Physiographic regions: Northwestern Uplands, Alpine System (tectonic formation),
Central Plateaus, North European Lowlands - ANSWER--Northwestern Uplands:
rugged landscapes, cold and wet climate, sea faring people.
-Alpine System: formed by convergence of African and Eurasian Plates. Tallest peak
is Matterhorn. Forms a boundary between the Atlantic and Mediterranean climate.
FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Diverse landscapes (i.e., Rift Valley, savannas, Mt. Kilimanjaro, highlands, etc.) -
ANSWER-Africa is home to many unique and beautiful landforms
1. Rift Valley: divergent plate boundary w/ waterfalls
2. Savannas: high plains plateaus like the Serengeti
3. Mt. Kilimanjaro: highest mountain in Africa
4. Great Escarpment: South Africa
Three dominant religious practices in the region - ANSWER-1. Islam
2. Christianity
3. Animism
African slave trade: its history and consequences - ANSWER-Most slaves came
from West Africa. West African society was upended, takes the strongest in the
population. African tribes would sell out their enemies into Slavery. The only people
left were not the best and the brightest
Colonization and the "scramble for Africa" in the 19th century (i.e., Berlin
Conference) - ANSWER-European powers split up Africa to colonize without
consulting the African Countries. These Euro powers allowed military occupation in
their colonized regions, and this led to military conflicts between African peoples
militaries. Colonization hindered the growth of Indigenous African societies.
History of South Africa and apartheid - ANSWER-Segregation in South Africa goes
back to White Afrikaners (Dutch) who set up "Native Reserves." From 1948 to 1994,
systematic segregation and discrimination at al levels of society in South Africa.
Afrikaner National Party controlled government for 40 years.
Opposition to Apartheid in the 50's paralleled the Civil Rights Movement in America.
Led by Nelson Mandela. Apartheid abolished in 1992 and Mandela is elected in
1994.
Geopolitics: unstable political systems (failed state syndrome, lack of infrastructure),
poverty, terrorism, HIV/Aids, brain drain. - ANSWER-Africa has a plethora of
geopolitical issues:
1. Failed state syndrome: governments fail to maintain power; cannot fight against
local terrorism (islamic extremists). Humanitarian aid is stolen by criminals/terrorists
and the government is corrupt. Muslim governments brought from migration allow for
terrorist training camps.
2. Lack of infrastructure: Lack of functioning government and economy has led to a
lack of focus on infrastructure in the region (roads, running water). This is also part of
poverty (failing economy)
3. Diseases: HIV/Aids orginated in Africa; lack of proper healthcare, disease spreads
easy because of ihgh population. Malaria is common and deadly as there is no
vaccine in the region.
, 4. Brain Drain: When educated citizens in the region leave rather than staying. They
leave to find opportunities in Western or European countries.
Southwest Asia and North Africa - ANSWER-Southwest Asia and North Africa
River systems: Nile, Tigris and Euphrates - ANSWER-These River systems led to
the creation of systematic agriculture (purposeful farming). Systematic Agriculture
leads to trade, written language (ledgers), and social organization.
Transition from nomadic to systematic agriculture and consequences of this shift
(written languages, fortified cities, trade, larger populations, etc.) - ANSWER-The
Ecological Trilogy was based on the interdependence of Villagers, Nomads, and
Urbanites in the region.
Shifting to systematic agriculture necessitated written language (for ledgers) and
trade, created larger populations, organized cities (fortification).
Religious hearths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam - ANSWER-Middle east and North
Africa are home to the world's most dominant religions: Christianity, Judasim, and
Islam. All three religions hold sacred land, and even share historical land in the
region. This leads to conflicts over who gets what.
Ecological trilogy - ANSWER-The Ecological Trilogy was based on the
interdependence of Villagers, Nomads, and Urbanites in the region. Villagers
supplied Nomads with food and Nomads provided Villagers with livestock goods like
meat and milk. Urbanites traded in city centers and supplied Villagers with
manufactured goods and cultural amenities (anything could be bought in cities).
Villagers, again, supply food to Urbanites along with soldiers and workers (labor).
Creation of Israel as a nation and the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts - ANSWER-After
WWII, Israel is mandated by the UN to become a home for the worlds Jews
(historically Jewish and Muslim Territory). 56% on the land goes to Israel and 48%
goes to Palestine and Jerusalem is considered and international city (shared).
1950: First Israeli-Arab War; Israel declares Jerusalem its capital
1967: "6 day war"; Israel preumptively strikes Arab nations after continued threats
against Israel. Israel wins and occupies Arab territories, but gives them back.
Present Day: Conflict between Hamas terrorist and Israelis. PLO is the "government"
of Gaza
Arab Spring - ANSWER-In 2011, Revolutions begin to spring up due to Social media
and Social networking. Traditional geography of revolt in public spaces plays a major
role.
Europe - ANSWER-Europe
· Physiographic regions: Northwestern Uplands, Alpine System (tectonic formation),
Central Plateaus, North European Lowlands - ANSWER--Northwestern Uplands:
rugged landscapes, cold and wet climate, sea faring people.
-Alpine System: formed by convergence of African and Eurasian Plates. Tallest peak
is Matterhorn. Forms a boundary between the Atlantic and Mediterranean climate.
