Thursday, June 2, 2011

Chapter 33 Blog Homework

Chapter 33, Section 1
1. What major indigenous groups live in Australia and New Zealand?
Answer:
Aborigines such as the Arrente and the Palawa are believed to have arrived at Australia first anywhere from 40,000 to 60,000 years ago.  The Maori people came from the Polynesian islands to New Zealand.  Many Maori still live in New Zealand.
2. How does the standard of living in the urban areas of Australia and New Zealand
compare with that of the more rural areas?
Answer:
Both urban and rural areas have free education and literacy rates are over 99% everywhere.  The health care in urban areas have better and more accessible health care than rural areas, however doctors talk to and advise patients via computers or telephones.  The Aborigines have the worst treatment of all, rarely receiving education and health care.
Creative Writing: Compare and contrast how and why the different groups that make up the population of Australia and New Zealand today first came to settle the region.
Answer:
The Aborigines came to Australia and New Zealand during the ice age because they needed food.  Trade and need for new land drove the Maori from Polynesia to New Zealand.  The Europeans came to New Zealand and Australia and settled there in 1788, creating a colony for convicts.  The colony ended in the 1850's and English settlers came to farm and get rich, fish and raise livestock.  The Aborigines came on foot and for necessity.  The Europeans came on ships and just for more space because they were putting too many people in jail for God knows what.

Chapter 33, Section 2
1. How does everyday life in the region reflect cultural diversity?
Answer:
The Aboriginal people usually participate with outrigger canoe racing or spearfishing.  The Europeans brought over cycling and archery, and later soccer, volleyball, and tennis.There are also 1,200 languages spoken throughout Oceania alone, and several blends over pidgin English to develop better communication.  Christianity was brought by the Europeans and Hinduism was brought by the Indians.  The education varies depending where you are, ranging from anywhere from 93% to 57%
2. How did European colonization adversely impact the region?
Answer:
European colonization resulted in many foreign cash crops being planted and colonies that wiped out local plants and animals.  In addition, the European invaders passed on viruses and bacteria that the indigenous people were not immune to.  As a result, many natives died because of the European sicknesses.
Creative Writing: Imagine that you are a tourist traveling among the islands of any part of Oceania in an outrigger canoe. Describe one day of your travels as a journal entry. Be sure to describe the peoples and cultures, as well as their activities.
Answer:
Well, second day here in Oceania.  A local has been taking me around the islands in an outrigger canoe.  I have to admit that I'm a bit shocked with what I've found.  The culture here is so diverse, languages ranging from English to local languages, to Pidgin.  Pidgin is extremely interesting since pidgin is a mix-mash of all sorts of languages.  The minute one local can't understand the other, they switch to pidgin and get along much better than before.  Another shocker was the abundance of Christian churches and practicing Christians.  My guide is Christian.  They tell me that it's mostly because the Europeans brought Christianity to their islands, but the amount of Christians shocked me.  In Fiji, however, I got to see a pleasant change of religions, from Christianity to Hinduism.   Some locals looked Indian, a curious sight to see in the middle of the ocean.  One thing that pleased me greatest to see was the farming going on here.  In some of the bigger, more industrialized islands I saw huge farms for cash crops, but at smaller ones I saw locals farming their traditional foods, eating what they grew and growing only what could feed them well.  it was a pleasant change from the American way of going to a supermarket and getting some potato chips.  Their respect for their soil and the soil's gifts is also mind-boggling.  The earth is like their religion, almost.  One disappointing sight was the lack of schooling, and the horrible conditions of hospitals and food.  There weren't enough teachers and far too few students, the hospitals were dirty without modern equipment, and some people couldn't even afford to pay for health care!  Good news is that I saw a few government workers arguing for patients to get treatment.  I hope that all works out well, but I'll definitely look into that problem throughout this trip.  Maybe there's someone I can write to and help fix this.  Well, until next time!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Chapter 32 Homework

Chapter 32, Section 1
1. How do mountains, plateaus, and lowlands differ in Australia and New Zealand?
Answer:
The mountains of New Zealand are taller than the mountains of Australia and often have snow.  Australian plains are dry and treeless while New Zealand plains are fertile and produce crops and livestock that benefit the economies.  New Zealand plateaus are generally volcanic while Australian plateaus are dry and barren.
2. How have volcanoes and continental shelves formed the islands of Oceania?
Answer:
The volcanoes have pushed up the magma to provide a base of land for the island.  The continental shelves shift and change, pushing land upward and creating more land for the island.
Creative Writing: Of the two largest islands of New Zealand—North Island and South Island—which would be the best to visit on vacation? Provide examples to support your position.
Answer:
i believe that the North Island is better to visit, in my opinion.  I like the beach, and the North island has lots of beaches.   There is also rich soil on the island and volcanoes and hot springs, providing interesting sights to see and plants to see because of the rich soil.  The North Island has ancient forests, which is nice to visit because the 'ancient forests' may have rare animals and plants.
Chapter 32, Section 2
1. What geographic extremes create the differences in climates and vegetation of Australia, Oceania, and New Zealand?
Answer:
What part of Australia you are in determines the climate and vegetation.  The interior of Australia is generally drier with barely any vegetation because the Pacific Ocean winds are blocked out, the sun scorches on the plateau all day, and at night the temperature drops.  The steppe climate around the plateau  is where the rain falls and vegetation such as eucalyptus and acacia trees can grow.  The coastal areas receive the most moisture, averaging 80 inches at some parts.  these areas support Australia's agriculture.  Oceania alternates between dry and wet season.  The wet seasons bring humidity and much vegetation while the dry seasons have barely any rainfall and the vegetation includes shrubs and grasses. In New Zealand, whether you are on the North or South Island.  The north Island generally is warm and sunny, with moderate rainfall.  The Southern land usually has five times the amount of rain that the whole country gets on average.
2. Why does most of Oceania have a tropical rain forest climate?
Answer:
Oceania lies between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn
Creative Writing: Pretend you are a travel writer who has been assigned to write a tourist brochure for a destination in Australia, Oceania, or New Zealand. Drawing on your knowledge of the climates and vegetation in the region, write at least one paragraph that vividly describes at least one destination in the region to potential tourists.
Answer:
I would strongly recommend visiting New Zealand's North Island.  Unlike other islands, the North Island has a reasonably stable climate.  Summer temperatures are anywhere between 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.  In the winter it is cooler, between 35 degrees Fahrenheit and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.  The plateau of the North Island is warm and sunny while the mountains have constant snow.  This constant snow could be a great place to spend your vacation if you tire of the constant warmth.  The rainfall of the North Island is more convenient than that of the South Island, which is five times the amount of rain of the North Island.  The North Island also offers plenty of unusual sights, including plant life.  90 percent of the plants are only found in New Zealand, such as Manuka, a shrub that has been growing since the ancient forests were destroyed, and the rare kauri trees and common evergreen trees.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Chapter 31 Homework

Chapter 31, Section 1
1. Why is rice farming the most important agricultural activity in Southeast Asia?
Answer:
Rice farming is the most important agricultural activity because it is an important export product, it grows very well in the climate, and there is enough water to support it.
2. Why are the countries in the region industrializing at different rates?
Answer:
Countries are industrializing at different rates because of the political crisis in the countries.  The countries that still struggle with it are confused as to what to do.  The resources available and the current state of economy in the individual countries also affects how fast they industrialize.
Creative Writing: Write a paragraph describing how the economies of Southeast Asia are becoming more interdependent. What factors are driving this change?
Answer:
The economies of Southeast Asia are becoming more interdependent.  Mostly, this is because the countries need to trade with one another for more resources, and the ASEAN provides loans to other countries to support their own economy,  The need to survive and thrive and trade is what drives this change.
Chapter 31, Section 2
1. What dangers are posed by volcanoes, floods, and typhoons in Southeast Asia?
Answer:
Floods and typhoons kill many people and destroy whole cities and towns.  The country crashes because of this loss.  The volcanoes in Southeast Asia may erupt at any time, blowing ash and dust and killing hundreds of people and destroying homes.  All three natural disasters are deadly to people, their lives, and their stability.
2. How has economic progress increased environmental pollution in the region?
Answer:
Economic progress means industrialization.  The industrial plants result in polluted air and water, and offshore oil and gas searching has resulted in deaths of the mangrove forests.  Mining leads to waste being dumped in rivers.  Over-fishing has resulted in reefs and fish dying.  Cutting trees result in more carbon dioxide in the air, polluting it.
Creative Writing: The people of Southeast Asia face many challenges with both natural and man-made environmental issues. Identify what you think is the most important challenge and write a paragraph designed to convince readers of the importance of addressing the issue
Answer:
I think the most important challenge is the natural disasters.  The countries need to find ways to predict when cyclones and typhoons will arrive and build efficient houses and shelters where people can go to hide.  Without the people, a country is nothing.  The countries of Southeast Asia need to protect their people from disaster before they can focus on anything else.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Chapter 25 Homework

Chapter 25, Section 1
1. How does agriculture provide a living for most of South Asia’s people?

2. Which countries in South Asia have a free press?

Creative Writing: Which part of South Asia would you most like to visit? Write a paragraph that describes why you think this is the best country for tourism and use specific examples to support your position.

Chapter 25, Section 2
1. What factors have led to much of the internal violence in South Asia?
Answer:
Dispute over Kashmir and prejudice against the Tamils, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs have led to much of the internal violence in South Asia.
2. What is a negative consequence of rapid industrialization in the region?
Answer:
the rapid industrialization results in too much air pollution, which damages the people and the environment.
Creative Writing: Pretend you are a government official in South Asia. Your job is to write a short essay designed to convince poor rural populations to stop illegal logging and hunting of endangered animals. Be sure to acknowledge reasons why these people would want to be allowed to cut down trees or hunt endangered animals, and then provide arguments why they should not do so.
Answer:
Dear People of South Asia,
First and foremost, I understand your difficult situation.  You need money, and you must provide for your family.  To do so, you often cut down your local trees to sell and make your homes.  You poach animals, even endangered and protected animals, to feed your family or to sell for money so that you may feed your family.  I understand your difficulty.  I must, however, inform you of the consequences.  Logging trees and killing protected animals will result in a fine that you will not be able to pay.  you may have to go to jail, and you cannot provide for your family while in jail.  The animals that you are killing are found nowhere else. You are exterminating a whole family of animals.  How would you feel if someone killed your whole family?  And, the trees you are cutting down clear the air for humans.  Without them, pollution would take over and poison the lungs of your family and you.  I have a proposition for you.  You stop hunting animals, and instead bring them to environmental officials, unharmed of course.  We will pay you for them, tag them, and set the back in the wild.  Instead of logging, come to us for support and we will provide.  We will give you trees to plant, and once they are planted and cared for and semi-grown you may cut the other trees that you need.

Chapter 29 Homework

Chapter 29, Section 1
1. What makes up the physical geography of Southeast Asia?
Answer:
Mountains and volcanoes make up the physical geography of Southeast Asia.
2. How do rich natural resources affect Southeast Asia’s economy?
Answer:
The natural resources of oil and coal have amde the economies prosper while the natural resources of gems and minerals have created a smaller, black market economy
Creative Writing: Write a paragraph that describes at least one way that the people of Southeast Asia depend on its waterways.
Answer:
The water ways and their deltas (where the river branches off into the ocean) deposit valuable nutrients into soil as they pass, making the soil fertile.  Because of these nutrients, food and other crops may be grown by the rivers, feeding the country's people.  If the water ways went away, the ground could support itself for a while but eventually fail when the new nutrients don't come from the river.  This makes a dependence on the water ways for food and crops.  Without the waterways, the people of Southeast Asian countries would either starve or be in major debt because of having to pay other countries for food.

Chapter 29, Section 2
1. What weather pattern influences the region’s climates?
Answer:
Rain influences the region's climates
2. What are the region’s main climate types?
Answer:
The main climate types are Tropical wet, tropical dry, humid subtropical, and highland climates.
Creative Writing: Think about the pros and cons of Singapore’s change from a dense rainforest to an urban area. Take a position either for or against another area working toward this type of urbanization, and write a paragraph that defends your position.
Answer:
I am both for and against the expansion.  On one hand, the rainforests were home to many unique species or plants ad animals, as well as a valuable source for oxygen.  On the other hand, the people of Singapore needed to expand and urbanize in order to keep up with the rest of the world and with its own growing population. 

Monday, May 2, 2011

World Geography Homework Chp 28

Chapter 28, Section 1
1. What types of governments and economies do East Asian countries have?
Governments such as Communism and democracy are common.  The Democratic countries often have  private-ownership based countries while Communist countries have command economes.  North Korea is an enigma, having a command system and a rigid government.
2. What economic activities play an important role in East Asia?
Industry and argiculture play important roles in East Asian economy.
Creative Writing: Despite China’s record of human rights violations, the United States granted it full trading privileges and the country has also been admitted to the World Trade Organization. Pick a position either for or against these decisions and write a paragraph designed to persuade others of your point of view.
I am for this decision.  Why not give China a chance?  Perhaps, while they are there, other countries may pressure China into stopping any violent policies and human rights violations.  It is also important to make Chinese citizens feel like they are not being judged or neglected or else further feelings of antagonism will spread.  And, furthermore, think about the citizens of China.  They are innocent; It is the government who is violating human rights.  So ask yourself, is it fair to punish innocent civilians, children, to starve them and not trade necessities when it is not their fault at all? 

 
Chapter 28, Section 2
1. How have industrialization and urbanization in East Asia affected the environment?
Burning coal for energy has resulted in acid rain throughout the region and beyond.  The mercury deposited in the Pacific Ocean can spread all the way to America.  Sewage and waste is dumped into lakes, rivers, and oceans and result in many dead species.  Deforestation for urbanization leads to desertification and less land to farm and feed people on.
2. What naturally occurring destructive forces does East Asia regularly face?
Flooding, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcano eruption, and typhoons
Creative Writing: Write a paragraph that describes the steps East Asian countries are taking to solve environmental problems
East Asian Countries have tried to build drainage channels and irrigation canals to redirect water quickoy.  Dams, dikes, and levees like the Three Gorges Dam can also hold water in and generate electricity at the same time,

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Chapter 27 Homework

Chapter 27, Section 1
1. Where did East Asia’s ideas and traditions originate?
Answer:
China
2. What languages do the people of China speak?
Answer:
most speak Mandarin dialect of the Han Chinese language.  The letters are ideograms which stand for ideas.
Creative Writing: Write a paragraph that compares Chinese health care, religion, or education before, during, and after the “Great Leap Forward.”
Answer:
After the Great leap Forward, China's health care and education improved tremendously, even with the dwindling resources from big farms not producing necessities.  Religion is still tolerated, but not openly encouraged after the Great leap Forward.  China now focuses more on economic rights, not civil rights.
Chapter 27, Section 2
1. How is the population of Japan distributed?
Answer:
The population dots on the rural areas and it more clumped and condensed in sea coasts, valleys, and plains.
2. How did Japan build an empire in the 1900s and how did it come to an end?
Answer:
Japan built its empire by diplomacy and military force, fighting China for islands, Russia for Korea, Manchuria, and Sakhalin.  But Korea was later annexed in 1910.    This empire came to a stop in 1945 when the Allies beat Japan and forced them to give up their other territories and their military.  in the later 1900s Japan came back as a business country who trades with the whole world.
Although Japan’s population is ethnically homogeneous, its culture has been influenced by many other cultures. Write a paragraph that describes at least two ways that Japan’s culture has been influenced by other cultures.
Answer:
Japanese is distantly related to Korean and Mongolian and has borrowed words from Chinese and English.  Many Japanese practice Buddhism from China and Christianity from the middle east and Europe.
Chapter 27, Section 3
1. How did Korea first react to contact with the West?
Answer:
Korea did not react well when Western countries came with guns and force and developed and isolationist policy.

2. On what is the Korean way of life based?
Answer:
Korean life is largely based on Confucianism.
Creative Writing: Although North and South Korea are predominantly ethnically homogeneous, a cultural divergence has taken place between the two countries. Write a paragraph that describes the cause of this cultural divergence and lists some of its effects
Answer:
The cause of this cultural divergence was World War II when South Korea chose to be allies with the US and North Korea remained Communist.  North Korea tried to unite itself with South Korea, but the US intervened and a truce was made in 1953,  The war us technically still going on.  Because of the cultural divergence, the cultures have grown apart becomes of politics (Democracy versus Communism) and economy (Capitalism versus Communism)