Chapter 11 Homework

Chapter 11, Section 1

1. Give one example of each of the following European landforms: a landform affected by glaciation; a landform affected by wind; a landform affected by tectonic or volcanic activity.
Answer:

The Alps mountains were created by glaciation.

Teconic activity caused the crust to lift and fold, forming the Pyrenees mountains.

The southern edge of the Northern European Plain is made fertile from the nutrients brought by the wind.

2. Why are rivers vital to Europe’s economy?

Answer:

Rivers provide transportations systems, trade routes, irrigation for inland farms, and electricitty from hydroelectric power.

Creative Writing: The Rhine River flows through three countries from its source in the Swiss Alps, along part of the border between France and Germany, through Germany for most of its length, to its final destination in the North Sea off the Netherlands. Write a paragraph about the political or economic challenges the countries along the river’s course face.

Answer: 

The three countries may fight over who owns wha part of the river.  Whoever owns the river has the right to tax the people crossing and traveling up or down the river.  Ownership also means rights to all the fish in the river.  If one of the countries is highly dependant on fishing, the country's economy may fail if the country is denied fishing rights.

Chapter 11, Section 2

1. What are the major influences on climate in Europe?

Answer:
Europe's high latitude, nearness to water (seas, oceans, rivers, lakes) and the wind blown in from the water affect Europe's climate.

2. How do winds affect the climate regions of Europe?

Answer:
Winds, such as the warm winds from the North Atlantic Current, can warm temperatures.  Countries farther from the Atlantic Ocean do not experience the warm winds, resulting in a colder climate.

Creative Writing: The city of Dublin, Ireland, is at about 53° N latitude, and has an average January high temperature of about 44° F (about 6.6° C). The city of Duluth, Minnesota, is at about 48° N latitude, and has an average January high temperature of about 16° F (about –8.88° C). Write a paragraph explaining possible reasons that the average high winter temperatures are so different although the latitudes are similar
Answer:
One reason that Dublin, Ireland is warmer than Duluth, Minnesota is the warm winds coming from the Atlantic Ocean.  Dublin, Ireland, is closer to the water than Duluth Minnesota, so Dublin experiences more wind, and therefore more heat.

Chapter 10 Homework

Chapter 10, Section 1

1. What is the basis of the economies of many Latin American countries?

Answer:

The basis of many Latin American economies is agricultural goods, such as bananas, sugarcane, and coffee

2. What are the causes and consequences of Latin America’s economically dependent status?

Answer:

A cause of being economically dependant is focusing all efforts on growing, or producing, one thing.  With all of the support, that one product becomes mass produced and distributed at a rapid rate, making lots of money for all that contributed.
A consequence of being economically dependant is when one part of the economy is damaged, the whole thing crashes because each part is so dependant on the other.

Creative Writing: Write a paragraph that describes the advantages and disadvantages of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for Mexico.

Answer:

Some advantages of NAFTA for Mexico are more exports from Mexico, investment with international countries, and new jobs.

Some disadvantages of the NAFTA for Mexico are that the poor never are affected by NAFTA benefits.

Chapter 10, Section 2

1. How has development affected Latin America’s forest resources?

Answer:

The development of farms and city areas has caused the depletion of forest resources.  Farms practice slash-and burn farming techniques which kill huge parts of forest for one or two years of fertile soil.  City development has lead to forests being cut down for space and materials.  The depletion of forests affects the whole ecosystem, leading to the death of species found nowhere else.

2. What challenges are posed by the growth of Latin America’s urban population?

Answer:

growth of urban population has resulted in pollution and chemical and pesticide runoff into water, soil, and air.  These pollutants can damage and even kill plants, animals, and humans.

Creative Writing: The countries of Latin America are facing many challenges of regional and international significance. Write a paragraph that describes at least two of these issues and how these might have an impact outside of the region

Answer:

One border dispute of Latin America is the petroleum ownerships along the border of Venezuela and Guyana.  The petroleum mines exist right in the middle of their shared border, and both countries want the benefits.  Depending on who wins, the price of petroleum and the quality may increase or decrease when it is being sold to other countries.

A regional problem that Latin America faces is its unpredictable weather.  Over the years, hurricanes have hit and devastated the land, floods have destroyed cities, and volcanic eruptions have shattered whole islands.  If a disaster strikes Latin America's resources or cities, Latin America's inhabitants would not be able to export their goods, causing every country that it trades with to come to a stand still, lacking the goods from Latin America.