Homework: World Regional Geography
The purpose for this homework is to become familiar with a place (country) you were assigned by using the data that you collect. The first part of the homework is to collect the following data from the web site (The World Factbook)
LOCATION (LANDLOCKED?) SIZE (SQUARE KILOMETERS - SIZE RELATIVE TO)
ARABLE LAND (%) CLIMATE
TERRAIN (MOUNTAINOUS, FLAT) TOTAL POPULATION
% OF POPULATION ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE % OF POPULATION 14 AND UNDER
FERTILITY RATE PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS:
LANGUAGES (% of each language)) ETHNIC GROUPS (% of each one)
RELIGIONS (% of each one) GDP - per capita (compare to the United States)
TOTAL INFANT MORTALITY RATE (compare to the United States)
Find the information below by searching other websites on the internet.
PRINT-OUT A RECENT (2010) POPULATION PYRAMID (US CENSUS OR NATIONMASTER WEBSITE)
NAMES AND POPULATIONS OF CAPITAL CITY, LARGEST CITY, AND SECOND LARGEST CITY
FIND AND PRINT-OUT TWO MAPS OF YOUR COUNTRY; ONE SHOWING PHYICAL GEOGRAPHY (Mountains and Rivers) AND ONE SHOWING THE
LOCATION OF CITIES
Answer the following seven questions after summarizing your data and reading about your country from website sources. Cite all sources used. Answer the questions in order and number each one.
1) Write a brief history of your country. Include in your discussion the people native to the place and the colonial history (who and when it started) of your country. When was independence achieved? How is the country governed now?
2) Analyze your population statistics, pyramid, and fertility rate. What stage of the Demographic transition model are they in? Is there any evidence of transition to another stage? Explain your conclusion. What does the infant mortality rate say about the health care system? What is the HIV rate and how does it affect a population (socially and economically)? Include a discussion of other noteworthy diseases found in your country?
3) What is the capital city of your country and what is its population? Is the capital a primate city? If the capital is not a primate city is there another city that is? Explain your answer using the definition of a primate city provided.
4) Based on the number of ethnic groups, languages, and religions found describe and explain the political forces (centripetal and centrifugal) found in your country. Which forces are stronger? Is there an outside minority group that can be found in your country? Can this cause disruption? Describe the shape of your country and if it has a potential effect on the politics.
5) How would you describe the level of economic development in your country (compare the GDP with the U.S.)? What are the major exports (is your country dependent on one)? Using all the geographic and demographic information collected assess which ones may be or not be hurdles to further development. Identify the biggest problem your country faces in regards to further economic development. What category would you place your country in (least developed, developing, or most developed) using the core-periphery model and explain why.
6) Briefly describe an issue that faces your country as it relates to economics, politics, geography, or the characteristics of the population. Attach and summarize a recent news article that relates to your discussion. The BBC world news website is a good source for articles on your country.
7) Write a brief overall summary with suggestions that would help your country improve its economic situation. Use ideas and concepts that you have learned from the course.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.