Test on Chapter 1- 9/29/09

“On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this graded academic work. I am a person of integrity and I do not cheat.” Agree to this statement by typing your name here: Adam Isennock

Globalization is the increasing interconnectedness of people and places through converging processes of economic, political, and cultural change. Those who are pro-globalization believe that wealth will “trickle down” from rich countries to poor countries. They also believe it will spread the benefits of new ideas and new technology to all nations. One organization that loans money to nations so they can invest in business is the World Bank. On the other hand, those who are anti-globalization say it is not fair, because the richest 20% of the world’s people consume 86% of the world’s resources, resulting in inequities between “haves” and “have nots.”

Use the CIA Factbook to answer the following questions: In Luxembourg the life expectancy is 79.33 years, the infant mortality rate is 4.56 deaths per 1000 live births, the literacy rate is 100%, and the TFR is 1.78 . In Libya the life expectancy is 77.26 years, the infant mortality rate is 21.05 deaths per 1000 live births, the literacy rate is 82.6%, and the TFR is 3.08.

We often categorize nations as being “developed” or “developing” nations. Vietnam and Mexico would be considered developing nations; Japan and Canada are developed nations.

The current world population is over 6 billion people. The number that measures how many children the average woman in a nation will bear is known as the Total Fertility Rate, which is abbreviated as TFR . When this number is exactly 2.1, then the population stays the same; if it’s higher, the population goes up, and if it’s lower, the population decreases. The population is growing fastest in developing nations.

A population pyramid that is shaped just like a pyramid -- wide on the bottom and narrow at the top -- shows a country whose population is growing fast. If it is shaped more like a vase or a soda bottle, that nation’s population is growing slow. Young people are found at the bottom of the pyramid, and males are found on the left hand side.

When discussing migration, people who are entering a country are known as immigrants, and people who are leaving a country are known as migrants.

People leave their country for many reasons. An example of a push force is civil strife, and an example of a pull force is better economic opportunities or health services. If a nation’s net migration rate is a negative number, it means more people are leaving the country than are arriving.


STEP THREE: In a short, well-written essay, answer ONE of the following questions:

1) Some people feel very strongly in their pro-globalization opinions, while some anti-globalization advocates have different beliefs. It’s likely that the truth lies somewhere in between. What do you think is the “middle ground” in this argument? Be sure to provide evidence for your opinion.

OR 2) Explain the academic discipline of Human Geography using the five themes. How is this discipline different from the study of physical geography? In your opinion, what is the benefit of studying Human Geography?

Human Geography explores social, economic, political factors; demography, migration, and culture. The five themes of human geography are environmental geography, population and settlement, cultural coherence and diversity, geopolitical framework, and economic and social development. These themes help me study and understand Human Geography better. Physical Geography examines climates, landforms, soils, vegetation, and hydrology. The discipline is different from the study of Human Geography because in Human Geography you are learning about social issues, the economy, political factors, demography, migration, and culture. All of those things are things that affect our human life style and the way we live. In Physical Geography you are learning about climates, landforms, soils, vegetation, and hydrology. These things are things that do not affect us personally but effect the world physically. The benefit of studying human Geography is we will be more aware of the economic situations in our world and we will now know more about politics and other things in this world that affect us personally.

OR 3) The demographic transition graph describes the changes in birthrates and death rates that a country experiences over time. Describe the changes that the United States has gone through by using the demographic transition diagram.


STEP FOUR: First, go to the following website and read the news story you will find there:


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/world/americas/24mexico.html
Then, in a short yet brilliant essay, summarize that story by relating it to our studies of immigration in class. Try to use terms from the text and from our class discussions.

In the New York Times article it shows although that The United States is having a bad economical time one third of Mexicans say that they would move to the United States if they could. 57 percent of Mexicans who left Mexico to come to America say that they are having a better life in America. 14% say that there life is worse here. People in Mexico consider America the land of opportunity. They know that they have a great chance to have a job here. This survey shows that more and more migrants from Mexico will come to America to live. The people in Mexico know that they will have a better chance in America to make money and live a safer and more successful lifestyle. This article relates to what we are learning in class because in class right now we are learning about migration.



STEP FIVE: When you have finished your test, publish your post.