Geography

Geography

Question 1.

Supranationalism is a system whereby different nations in agreement create a treaty and an organization whose boundaries go beyond the national borders. The member countries become subject to the authority of the organization. The individual nations have lesser powers than the organization formed. Such agreements exist, for example, the European Union created for economic and political reasons.

Question 2.

Devolution refers to the decentralization or transfer of power to lower levels. A central government can devolve its power to a local administration.

Centripetal forces tend to draw things together and unify them. Such an effect can be a national language or common culture that binds the nation. Centrifugal force pulls the country apart, such as corruption and ethnicity.

Spain has experienced devolution majorly to help maintain democracy to curb dictatorship.

Question 3.

Balkanization refers to the process of disintegrating a state into smaller states which are either uncooperative or are hostile towards each other.

In the 1990s, Yugoslavia experienced balkanization and was dissolved after an economic and political crisis.

Former Yugoslavia is now made up of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.

Question 4.

The Soviet Union had several strengths, such as political stability because of the one-party system, continuity, and the ability to work with different policies for economic growth. The weaknesses of the system were the misuse of power, which led to disorder and corruption in the Union. Industrial profits were all being invested in the military, and this led to an economic failure

The Soviet Union collapsed due to the adaptation of some reforms such as Perestroika. Decentralization of the economy was meant to open up the Union to international trade, but then the growth of the economy had declined.

Question 5.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, women formed circles among the elite concerned with feminist rights. Women became more actively involved in politics, businesses, and academics. They formed communities that sought financial and economic empowerment in careers and for equitable treatment.

Question 6.

Oil has significantly led to infrastructure development because of the need to transport the oil to the markets in the west. Pipeline and transport systems have been developed to allow for exports.

Proximity to China and India has helped in rapidly developing the market, which has led to greater diversification and reorientation in pricing for higher profits.

Oil exports have mainly boosted economic growth because of the revenues earned in exporting the oil. Foreign investment in the oil industry adds to economic growth.

Oil in Africa has attracted foreign investors who boost the tourism sector of the African landscape. Tourists bring in revenue as well as create employment opportunities for the local people.

African countries exporting oil have had to invest in academic programs that deal with oil and gas. Such education programs have improved academic literacy levels and helped alleviate poverty with an increase in learning opportunities.

Question 7.

Water scarcity North Africa and the Middle East is a serious concern. The region depends on water from outside its borders. The economic and social potential is dependent on the little water available. Desertification is a significant concern due to the limited water supplies as well as political conflicts for the scarce water.

The alternative ways of increasing freshwater supply include treating wastewater for reuse in irrigation and fertilizer. Reusing will preserve freshwater supplies. Desalination is another method to access freshwater by separating salt from seawater. Capturing rain and stormwater is another method to help recharge the natural aquifers

Question 8.

An Epidemic refers to a disease affecting a significant number of people within an area or a population within a short time. An example is Ebola in DRC Congo.

An Endemic is an infectious disease that affects a particular environment or population. Such as chickenpox in Kenya that affects young children.

A pandemic is a term that describes a disease affecting the world or a vast region such as HIV and AIDS.

Question 9.

AIDs has contributed significantly to the decline in the economic growth of Sub Saharan Africa because of the rise in famine, diseases, and poverty in search of cures. Debt amplifies the impact of AIDs due to poor nutrition and a lack of proper health care affecting the masses.

Vast numbers of people have died from the pandemic, leaving orphans who are unable to cater to their needs. The workforce has been dramatically reduced, affecting productivity in labor. More significant numbers of children have been left as orphans.

Decreasing new infections can be done by making ARV medicine affordable and accessible to all. Integration of prevention programs in the education system and making health delivery services free for all.

Question 10.

Africa has the highest potential to develop because of its young labor population, and urbanization is on the rise and a rise in the technological and physical infrastructure. Africa has a vast and abundant supply of natural resources that the world is interested in acquiring.

China is in the lead in investing in Africa. The Chinese, in search of new markets, found a willing partner in Africa in exchange for infrastructural development. China has become the most significant lender, financing projects in the region. This is partly good due to the gains in infrastructure and harmful due to the high commercial loans threatening the financial standing of African nations.

Question 11.

In 1947, after gaining independence from British rule, India split into Pakistan and India. The partition happened to end the violence between the Muslims and the Hindus. Many people between 200,000 to 2 million were killed. The Muslims moved to Pakistan, and the Hindus stayed in India.

Since the partition, the two countries have not improved relations due to the fights over Kashmir. Pakistan has launched several battles and wars against India, such as the Mumbai killings.

Territorial conflicts are the major causes, such as the conflict over river waters. Common interests in the Kashmir region cause tension between the two countries. The Kashmir is the border and line of control.

Question 12.

Women in South Asia face gender inequality immediately after birth. The male child is preferred, and education is availed to them quickly. Women have to fight against child marriages and discriminatory practices in the labor market. The status of women will improve with the new policies against child marriages and high education for all. Gender and inclusion practices for the career world are being implemented.

The Purdah practice means the seclusion of female worshippers in Muslim circles in South Asia. Socially the woman is covered up to hide their form, and in religion, she is isolated from where men worship.

Dowry refers to the transfer of property or wealth to the groom or his family from the bride’s family, whereas brideprice is the money of gifts given to the bride’s family from the groom or the groom’s family.

Question 13.

A Tsunami is a wave or waves that are caused by volcanic eruptions in the sea or earthquakes. The tides displace large amounts of water. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was caused by an earthquake that started in Sumatra. The countries affected were Indonesia, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Sri-Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, Tanzania, Kenya, Oman, Australia, and South Africa. The 2011 Pacific Ocean tsunami was caused by an earthquake in Tohoku, Japan. The countries affected by this tsunami were Japan, the United States, Indonesia,

Question 14.

The Republic of China is known as Taiwan in the world. It is a group of islands not controlled by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The PRC views Taiwan as a province or an island while Taiwan sees itself as a nation.

Question 15.

A buffer state is a nation found between two conflicting and hostile powers. A buffer state helps avoid conflicts between hostile countries. Mongolia has acted as the buffer state between Russia and China by receiving assistance from the US. The help from the US has been beneficial to both China and Russia because it has connected them in trading by raising the standards of Mongolia.

Question 16.

South Asia is comprised of Muslim nations who are always in ethnic conflicts with each other. Such disputes include the Sri Lankan/Tamil war. Such conflicts lead to war crimes and abuse human rights, such as freedom of religion.

Genocide has happened in Rwanda between the Hutu and Tutsi tribes. Genocide is still happening between Iraq and Syria in killing the religious minority.

Question 17.

High islands are formed from volcanic activity, while low islands form after coral reefs are uplifted. High islands rise a few feet above the sea level while small islands rise hundreds of feet above sea level. Freshwater is found in top islands encouraging human settlement, unlike small isles.

Question 18.

The UN gave the power to island states to allow them exclusive authority over the territories and the natural resources where they are found. The convention gave them full sovereignty.

Question 19.

The three cultural regions in the Pacific region are Micronesia (Kiribati, Nauru, Guam), Polynesia (Hawaii, Pitcairn and New Zealand), and Melanesia (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands).

Question 20.

Invasive species are organisms that are found in an environment where they are not native and cause ecological harm to that environment. These species can cause extinction to the native plants.

In Hawaii, endemic birds have become extinct due to the introduction of mosquito species, which brought avian malaria. In Australia, the brumby horse has caused considerable vegetation damage when grazing. In New Zealand, the Norway rat was introduced from China and has preyed on many amphibians and birds in New Zealand.