How 1) has domestic and international trade impacted the environmental geography of 3 regions? Brief intro about trade: thanks to globalization, trade has increased for countries to earn more money and to gain relationships with other countries. However, trade can impact environment significantly. North America: Both US and Canada are very active on the international trade market Both import diverse products from many global sources. Canada imports large quantities of manufactured parts from the US The US imports large quantities raw materials (grain, energy, metals, wood) For Canada, export mainly raw materials --> Deforestation. Deforestation leads to greenhouse gases, soil erosion, landslides. US- manufactured goods factories needed --> deforestation, similar risks as Canada fossil fuels emitted in the atmosphere: air pollution, acid rain (eastern US and Canada) factories: waste (areas outside major cities), groundwater depletion (Central, west US). Latin America Main: Deforestation: Amazon, Mexico, and Costa Rica Causes: Livestock pasture: McDonalds and soybean production (soy industry is principal source of foreign currency for Brazil). Most of Latin America's exports are crops --> depleted farmlands --> increased aridity and soil erosion (from deforestation) --> less agricultural productivity. Also: Air pollution has become serious issue in Sao Paulo and Mexico City (industrialization and factories). Caribbean Trade has shifted from agricultural products such as bananas, coffee, sugar cane etc. to tourism (which is a form of imports). The specialization of agricultural products led to large scale deforestation of Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Large scale tourism in the 90s led to overcrowded beaches, and large scale infrastructure improvements, again leading to deforestation but also a lot of coastal pollution in Cuba, Haiti,and Puerto Rico
2) How does urban form vary across the three regions? To what extent does urban forms reflect the respective histories of the regions? Intro: urban sectors are major sources of money for regions. Past North America and Latin America have similar urban structures that match the core-periphery model (with differences in present-day North America), whereas the urban form in the Caribbean varies vastly from the regions of North America and Latin America. North America: Originally, North America was made up of a few large cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles). However, changing transportation technologies shaped the evolution of a city in the US. Cities grew from a 3-4 mile diameter to about 5-10 miles with the emergence of the electric streetcar (mass transit at about 15-20 mph) The widespread adoption of the car extended cities even further into the suburbs approx. 40-60 miles from downtown. Finally, the emergence of freeways created "Edge cities" (not quite as big as downtown, but there is enough entertainment and work). Eg. Schamburg, Oakbrook, Lombard, Vernon Hills - all about 40 mins drive from Chicago. Reflects history - major economic centers were where the early migrants settled in, eventually expanding the cities to what they are now. Latin America's urban form mostly resembles the "core-periphery model". 3 large "Urban Megapolis'" - Buenos Aires-Montevideo, Rio de Janerio-Sao Paulo, and Mexico City. 75% of Latin America's popl live in the cities. LA's urban form represents their colonial origins as well as their contemporary growth: The poor live in the peripheral regions of the cities - living conditions are very poor. These people are involved in the informal sector - work that goes unregulated and untaxed. Lima, Peru - 40% of popl live in self-built housing. Caribbean: Unlike North America and Latin America, urban cities are more spread out in the Caribbean and not concentrated on specific areas. > 60% of the Caribbean is classified as urban. Most: Cuba (75%), least: Haiti (36%). Historical significance: Caribbean cities were laid out on a grid with a central plaza and they were heavily walled and extensively fortified because of its vulnerability to raids by rival European powers and pirates. Some Caribbean cities resemble their past colonial powers. Paramaribo (Suriname) = tropical, tulipless version of Holland. British colonies (Cayman) = wooden whitewashed cottages with shutters is evident.
3) Compare and contrast the political impact of the US as a global superpower on the three regions. Is it any different in North America from the other 2 regions? Intro: The US is one of five major economic and political giants in the world today along with India, China, Japan, and the UK. It thus has a large political impact on its surrounding regions, being Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. This essay will .. .. ... Political Imp on Canada: Being neighbors, there has been tremendous interaction, trade, and mutual cooperation But also some potential for conflict and controversy. During 20th century, cooperation increased, both countries signed the Boundary Waters Treaty - implementing common regulation over cross-boundary issues involving water resources, transportation, and environmental quality. Trade relations - NAFTA 1989 (US Canada Mexico) - US receives 84% of Canada's exports, US supplies 70% of Canada's imports. Econ conflicts: Dumping of Canadian lumber and wheat on U.S. Markets. Political conflict: Env issues: env degradation in one leads to env degradation in another country. e.g. Montana's North Flathead River flows out of BC, where Canadian logging and mining operations periodically threaten fisheries and recreational areas in Montana. e.g. Salmon Wars: Tensions btw 2 countries over contested fisheries in the Pacific. Seemed to have calmed down but could refuel. ESSENTIALLY: THE POLITICAL INFLUENCE THE OF US TO CANADA IS THAT CANADA SEEMS TO BE NEEDING THE SUPPORT OF THE US IN ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. Political Imp on LA: Mexico also is part of NAFTA. The USA promoted inter-hemispheric trade with its 1994 proposal for a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). US, Canada, and all Latin Americans and Caribbean's joined. However, by 2000 there was a falling out. In 2004 the US signed CAFTA agreement with 6 central American countries (Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica) Critics argue that this is a form of US Imperialism. But US argue that this will increase econ and social devt in the region. IMMIGRATION - masses of hispanics moving both legally and illegally to the US for the opportunity of work. Political Imp on Caribbean: Life as the "American Backyard": Caribbean regarded as American backyard.
Initially, US attempted to free the Caribbean colonies from European tyranny and foster democratic governance. However, American political and economic ambitions betrayed those goals. The US signed several treaties such as the FTAA, but the Caribbean view of these initiatives as guarded. The Caribbean felt as though they would be neocolonized. 1900s: US' role in Caribbean was military and political. The Spanish American War (1898) secured Cuba's freedom from Spain, and gave Puerto Rico as a US territory. Virgin Islands were also given to US by Danish. US had become like an imperial force. Marines arrived in the Caribbean basin: Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba in early 20th century. More recently, troops were sent to Haiti to suppress political violence and prevent a mass exodus of Florida-bound refugees. Critics: US policies are business oriented instead of democratic principles. Puerto Rico: US Food stamps, free movement. East coast of Puerto Rico used as bombing exercises by US.
4) How has cultural diversity been expressed in the regions? Intro: Today, the world has seen mass migration. At any given time, 2% of the world's population is moving from one country to another. This migration creates a cultural diversity that is seen throughout North America and the Caribbean, but not so much for Latin America. North America: USA 5 phases of migration: 1- Predominantly English and Africans with small groups of other Europeans 2- Irish, Germans, more Europeans. 3- Southern and Eastern Europeans. 4- Canada and Latin America 5- Latin America and Asia Cultural Composition: 1999: 72%White, 12% black, 12% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 1% Native 2020 (proj): 64% White, 13% Black, 17% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 1% Native. Canada Broadly parallels US (with differences) - mainly French. Today, 60% of Canada's immigrants are Asian - mainly Chinese and Indian (especially in British Columbia) Expressed: Similar people congregate near one another and derive areas. Culture marks visible scene - festivals etc. Little Italy (Boston), Chinatowns all over US, Hopi Village in Arizona, French Quebec. French - Quebec: 80% speak French Hispanic Borderlands: Southwest USA, Chicago, Miami, New York - Hispanic cultural influence beyond the homeland - Latin foods and music add cultural variety. Latin America: NOT very diverse, most people are either Native Indigenous or European immigrants. Official languages: mostly Spanish, Brazil = Portuguese. Nevertheless, there are significant areas in which indigenous languages persist, and in some cases, are recognized as official languages. Smaller language groups exist in Central America, the Amazon Basin, and southern Chile. Caribbean: Diversity came through African slave trade btw 15th - 19th century. Influx of slaves, combined with extermination of natives - made Caribbean predominantly African. Languages, customs, and beliefs were blended. Asian: Indentured labor bought in from South and South East Asia.
Suriname: 1/3 South Asian descent, 16% Javanese. Guyana: 1/2 Indian Ancestry Trinidad and Tobago: 40% Indian Ancestry. Expressed: Many Hindu temples, and many families speak Hindi in the home. Maroon Societies: Community of run-away slaves: expresses African cultural distribution in the Caribbean. Large isolated and independent communities in the forested mountains of Jamaica's interior. Maintained language, beliefs and culture. Creolization: Blending of European, African, and even Amerindian cultural elements into the unique sociocultural systems found in Caribbean. Main features: Language: Spanish (24 mn speakers), French (8 mn speakers), English (6 mn speakers), Dutch (0.5 mn speakers). In some cases: completely new languages emerge. ABC islands: Papiamento (Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, English, African) is the lingua franca. Music: Rhythmic beats of the Caribbean define the place. Reggae, Calypso, Merengue, Rumba, Zouk, and scores of other musical forms. African rhythms mixed with European forms of melody and verse. Drums, pipes, cans etc.. Political: Bob Marley
5) What are the similarities and differences in the drivers of economic development across the 3 regions? Similarities North America Agricultural production Livestock Ranching Foreign Investment: NA - Banking in NY, Chic, and LA LA - new industrialization leads to foreign investment in new assembly lines etc as its cheap. C - Banking is high - 5th largest financial center after NY, London, Tokyo, and HK. Differences Major Manufacturing (major cities) Commercial farming Biggest difference is the % of ppl working in the tertiary sector in the economy - where wages are higher - allowing GDP to raise higher than LA and C. -Mining + Forestry (Silver, zinc, copper, iron ore, bauxite, gold, oil, and gas). -Oil - VENEZUELA OPEC. -Soy Production -Tourism is a large industry, now is primary form of income in the Caribbean, but decreasing since 21st century.
Latin America
Caribbean