Understanding Earth’s Hydrosphere: Oceans, Rivers, and Glaciers
The Hydrosphere: Earth’s Waters
The hydrosphere encompasses all of Earth’s water.
Approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by seawater, primarily in oceans and seas.
The remaining water is found in inland rivers, lakes, groundwater, and glaciers.
Marine Waters
Marine waters differ from inland waters due to their salinity. The average salinity of the oceans is 35%. Oceans are large bodies of saltwater.
Major Oceans
- Pacific Ocean: The oldest and largest ocean, characterized by its great depth
Abyssinian Crisis: Mussolini, the League of Nations & Failure
Phase 2 (October 1935 to May 1936)
Mussolini’s army was ready. Despite brave resistance, the Abyssinians were no match for the modern Italian army equipped with tanks, aeroplanes, and poison gas. It was a clear-cut case of a large, powerful state attacking a smaller one.
Sanctions were introduced against the aggressor. A committee was formed to agree on the sanctions. The League imposed an immediate ban on arms sales to Italy while allowing them to Abyssinia. It banned all loans to Italy. It banned
Read MoreSyntax, Semantics, and Pragmatics: A Linguistic Overview
Syntax, Semantics, Pragmatics, and Semiotics
Syntax, derived from Greek, focuses on how words combine to form sentences. It analyzes sentence constituents, examining their form, position, and function, as well as their internal organization and relationships. Semantics studies how languages organize and express meanings, dealing with linguistic meanings. Pragmatics explores the additional meanings a sentence carries in specific contexts. Semiotics is the general science of communication, encompassing
Read MoreEnglish Grammar Tenses: A Quick Reference Guide
English Grammar Tenses
Present Simple
Use: Always, often, usually, sometimes, never, every day, every week, every year, on Monday, twice a week.
Affirmative: He/She/It + verb + s. I/You/We/They + verb (base form).
Negative: He/She/It + doesn’t + verb (base form). I/We/You/They + don’t + verb (base form).
Interrogative: Do + I/We/You/They + verb (base form)? / Does + He/She/It + verb (base form)?
Present Continuous
Use: Now, at the moment, look, listen.
Affirmative: I + am + verb + ing. He/She/It + is +
Read MoreKant’s Critique: Metaphysics and the Limits of Knowledge
Before 1770, Kant’s critique of metaphysics focused on scientific issues related to physics or mathematics. However, during his critical period, he began to focus on the problem of metaphysics itself: can metaphysics expose something that qualifies as science? This is reflected in the text, where the author explains that metaphysics has not yet found its method and aims to prove itself, a project undertaken during Kant’s critical period. Kant posed a series of questions, including: “What can I know?
Read MoreCharles V, Philip II: Rebellions and Iberian Unity
Government of Charles V and the GermanÃas
The reign of King Charles I coincided with the outbreak of significant revolts in his kingdoms: Castile and Valencia.
The Revolt of the Comuneros in Castile
This revolt was initiated by Castilian cities against the king’s government. The reasons included growing concerns about the interests of Castile being overshadowed by European affairs. This was evident in several ways: the control of senior positions by Flemish individuals, special tax requests to fund
Read MoreU.S. Immigration Waves: Origins, Policies, and Economic Impact
The United States has experienced two distinct periods, or waves, of significant immigration: one from 1820-1880 and another from 1880-1920. While both waves significantly influenced the country’s ethnic and racial composition, they differed in terms of origins, motivations, settlement patterns, and the impact of U.S. immigration policies.
First Wave: Northern and Western Europe (1820-1880)
The first wave primarily consisted of immigrants from Northern and Western Europe, including English, German,
Read MoreEngland’s Parliamentary System and Habsburg Rule
England and the Parliamentary System
The English King Charles I was an absolute monarch. As he needed to raise money, he summoned Parliament (an assembly of the kingdom’s representatives) to increase taxes.
However, Parliament demanded restrictions to the king’s power.
Consequently, a civil war broke out between the king’s and Parliament’s supporters. Parliament was victorious, the king was executed, and England became a republic. Its leader was Oliver Cromwell, who would become a dictator years later.
Read MoreUnderstanding Baroque Art and Architecture: Key Features
The Essence of Baroque Art
The Baroque style dominated Europe, representing the peak of imagination and creation. This search for movement and the breakdown of the proportion of traditional rules are what mainly differentiate it from the Renaissance. The Baroque appealed to instinct, the senses, and fantasy. The art of this period reflects a culture that celebrates religious and political values, its purpose being to extol the dignity and greatness of the Church and of the absolute monarchy. Life
Read MoreMies van der Rohe’s German Pavilion: A Rationalist Masterpiece
German Pavilion: A Masterpiece of Rationalism
Architect: Mies van der Rohe
Date: 1929
Location: Barcelona
Style: Architectural Rationalism
Materials Used: Stone (marble, onyx, granite), stainless steel, glass
System: Industrial materials
Formal Analysis
Supporting Elements
The structure features eight cruciform stainless steel pillars, chrome-plated on the exterior, supporting the flat roof. The remaining walls serve to separate functions and create supportive spaces.
Roof Elements
The pavilion is covered
Read More