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Human Geography 12
Human Geography (Gt-Ss2) (GEO 106)
Colorado Mountain College
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vegetables demanded in more developed societies. These farms are highly efficient and make use of machinery and cheap labor in every facet of the process. Plantation farming is found in the tropics and subtropics. Plantation- a large farm that specializes in one or tow crops, typically cash crops. These types are farms are isolated in sparsely settled locations and are thus quite self-sufficient. After the outlawing of slavery in the U., many of the plantations were sold or subdivided as the ample source of cheap labor was no longer an option.
Key Issue 4: Why do farmers face economic difficulties?
Issues for commercial farmers
-Access to markets
The von Thünen model was introduced by Johann Heinrich von Thünen in 1826 to help explain the importance of proximity to market in the choice of crops on commercial farms. A rough schematic is reproduced below:
City Horticulture and dairy Forestry Crop rotation Alternating pasture and crop Animal grazing
The basic premise of von Thünen’s model is that the more perishable and difficult to ship something, the closer it will be to the market.
-Overproduction
Farming efficiency has increased at a remarkable pace in MDC’s. The U. government attacks the excess food supply problem in three ways. The farmers are asked not to grow crops that are in excess supply already. Second, farming is substantially subsidized in order to keep farmers in business. Lastly, the govt. buys tremendous amounts of excess from the farmers and then sells it or donates it to other govts. throughout the world. Ironically, farmers in MDC’s are encouraged to grow less food, while farmers in LDC’s struggle to produce more.
Some farmers are turning to sustainable ag- the ag practice that preserves and enhances environmental quality. Two methods are used: more sensitive land management
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( ridge tillage- the system of planting crops on ridge tops to lower production costs and conserve soil quality); and better integration of crops and livestock.
Issues for subsistence farmers
-Farmers must feed an increasing number of people. Thus they leave fields fallow for shorter periods of time, effectively turning the land into a desert ( desertification). -Because many govt. are trying to develop along the international trade model, they are encouraging farmers to grow crops for export rather than food for direct consumption. The export crop of choice for many LDC farmers is drug crops.
Strategies for increasing food supply
-Expand the land area used for agriculture
-Increase the productivity of land now used (i. green revolution ) -Identify new food sources -Increase exports from other countries
Ch. 11 Industry
Key Issue 1: Where did industry originate?
Industrial Revolution- the period betwixt 1750 and 1950 in which the transformation of manufacturing, productivity, and sociopolitical systems occurred. It was the collective invention of hundreds of mechanical devices. The term is somewhat misleading because the “revolution” happened over several centuries, not overnight. The I. diffused from EnglandW. Europe N. America Japan E. Europe, South Asia, South Pacific, various other locations. Cottage industry- the home-based manufacturing that preceded the I.
Key inventions of the I. were:
-Steam engine 1769 James Watt -Iron forge 1783 Henry Cort -Coke (high-quality purified carbon made from coal) Abraham Darby -Canals 1759 James Brindley -THE RAILWAY more than anything, represents the I. because of its diffusive potential. It was not designed by an individual but by teams of people.
As a result of the diffusion of the I. into the realm of textiles ( woven fabrics) , such as new machines to spin, weave, thread, and make clothing, clothing production skyrocketed. In order to clean the abundant new clothes the chemical industry emerged with new chemicals and compounds. Due to the increased number and complexity of machines, the field of engineering was born.
Human Geography 12
Course: Human Geography (Gt-Ss2) (GEO 106)
University: Colorado Mountain College
