Geopolitics, Economics, and Energy Resources
Geopolitical Space
Western World
The Western world (USA, Australia, Europe) shares common geopolitical characteristics.
Latin America
Latin America encompasses the territories conquered and ruled by the Spanish and Portuguese between the 16th and 19th centuries, including all of America south of and including central Mexico. A legacy of conquest includes cultural uniformity, with Catholicism as the predominant religion and Spanish and Portuguese as the primary languages. However, diverse ethnicities
Read MoreEuropean Union and Spain: History, Politics, and Regional Organization
European States and the European Union
Current States of Europe
There are 49 independent states in Europe. Many have a long history, while some have their origins in recent changes that took place after 1989, following the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Disparities: European states have many differences according to their size, location, shape, population, and wealth.
European Union: History
The Second World War (1939-1945) devastated Europe. The bleak landscape urged European countries to cooperate
Read MoreGeopolitics and Population Dynamics: An Overview
Geopolitics and Living Space
The Third Reich’s expansionist ideology sought new territories, primarily in Eastern Europe, at the expense of Slavic peoples. This geopolitical strategy led to the development of a new political science focused on the state.
Climate Zones and Vegetation
Tundra and Taiga
The tundra and taiga, or boreal forest, are characterized by forest formations. In Canada, “taiga” refers to the area closest to the Arctic tree line, while “boreal forest” designates the area south of this
Read MoreNorth-South Divergence and Environmental Challenges in the Globalized Era
New Global Issues: Environment and Underdevelopment
1 North Convergence versus Divergence in the South
One of the paradoxes of the golden age of capitalism is that while developed countries have experienced since the end of World War II the greatest economic growth in recent history and tended to converge in their levels of wealth, developing countries increased their level of relative poverty, moving away from the rich North. Between 1950 and 1989, countries like Britain, France, Germany, Italy,
Read MoreUrbanization in Spain: Growth, Crisis, and Trends
Urbanization in Spain
June 2003
Growth Factors
Urbanization experienced significant growth, with the urban population exceeding the rural population. Factors contributing to this growth included:
- Administrative factors, such as designating cities as capitals.
- Economic and social factors, such as the development of modern industry.
Stages of Modern Industry (Until 1960)
- Until Mid-19th Century: Limited urban concentration; growth driven by provincial capitals and maritime commerce.
- Civil War and Post-War
Population of the European Union and Spain: Demographics and Trends
The Population of the European Union
Slow Growth and Aging
Almost 500 million people live in the countries forming the European Union.
The population is growing very slowly. The low birth rate, which is barely over 10‰ on average, makes the natural population growth slow. The average fertility rate of 1.5 children per woman does not ensure generational replacement.
The population over 65 years old accounts for 16% of the total and is increasing for two reasons:
- The adult population is very large and