Human Migration Patterns: From Africa to Global Settlement
Human Origins and Global Dispersal
Through the use of scientific methods such as paleontology, archaeology, and genetics, Africa has been established as the cradle of humankind. Through evolution, humans were able to venture outside Africa. The discovery of fire by Homo erectus revolutionized hominid life, enabling human beings to venture into cold areas outside the warm continent of Africa.
Early Hominid Migrations
Around 1.5 million years ago, hominids began to spread out of Africa (Tignor, 2010)
Read MoreDisaster Management & Risk Reduction: Key Concepts
Hazard vs. Disaster: Key Differences
A hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse effects on people, property, or the environment. It is a condition or situation that poses a threat but does not necessarily lead to a disaster unless it affects a vulnerable population. Hazards can be natural, such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes, or human-made, like chemical spills, industrial accidents, or nuclear radiation leaks.
For example, a volcanic eruption in an uninhabited area is a natural hazard,
Read MoreSpain’s 19th Century Liberal Revolution & Economic Reforms
The Liberal Revolution and Institutional Changes in Spain
The term Liberal Revolution applies especially to the Spanish revolutionary process that began with the Cortes of Cadiz and continued through the Liberal Triennium and the early reign of Isabel II, coinciding with the Carlist Wars.
The core principles of liberalism include:
- Freedom
- Equality
- Property Rights
In Spain, a pact emerged between the liberal bourgeoisie, who spearheaded the change, and the upper classes. This alliance ultimately brought
Read MoreMedieval Iberian Peninsula: Christian Kingdoms and Cultural Coexistence
The Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages
The First Christian Resistance Nuclei
The early stages of Christian resistance against Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula saw the formation of distinct nuclei:
The Asturian Core
In 722, a Visigothic nobleman, Pelayo, and the Asturians defeated a Muslim expeditionary force at Covadonga. From that moment, the Kingdom of Asturias began to organize. Alfonso I (739-757) inherited the Visigothic legacy. Alfonso II (791-842) established the capital at Oviedo. Alfonso
Essential Demographic and Urban Geography Definitions
Settlement
An area where people live.
Population
A group of people inhabiting a given site.
Census
The official count of people in a place at a particular time.
Municipal Census
The official count of people within a municipality.
Legal Population (Población de Derecho)
People living in a municipality, both present and absent, at the time of the census.
De Facto Population (Población de Hecho)
The sum of residents and passersby in a municipality at the time of the census.
Population Dynamics
Indicates how a
Read MoreService Sector Essentials: Trade, Transport, and Tourism
The Tertiary Sector: Services, Trade & Tourism
Understanding the Tertiary Sector
The tertiary sector, also known as the service sector, provides essential services to people. These include vital areas such as healthcare, education, and transport. It is currently the fastest-growing economic sector globally.
Services and Economic Growth
The economic value and the number of workers employed in the tertiary sector have significantly increased, a phenomenon known as tertiarization. Developed countries
Read More