Uk in the 21st Century Flashcards
Be able to describe the distribution of human and physical geographical characteristics of the UK:
○ Population density
○ Land use
○ Rainfall and relief (connected)
Relief: The mountains are located in the North and West of the UK especially in Wales and Scotland, Most of the South and East is relatively flat with a few hilly areas. With a more moderate climate, this landscape is wells suited to farming and the development of settlements, roads and railways. It is more densely populated than the UK’s mountainous regions. There are a lot of rivers in the UK, most of which flow from the hills or mountains down to the sea. The longest river in the UK is the River Severn, which is slightly longer than the River Thames.
Rainfall: The highest distribution of precipitation is in the North and West of the UK, particularly in the mountainous areas. Here the average rainfall exceed 2000mm. The lowest precipitation totals are in the South and the East. Here the driest areas are in East Anglia and Lincolnshire - receiving an average annual rainfall total of less than 600mm. The main reason for the variation of rainfall in the British Isles is the prevailing wind direction. Most of the time the British Isles is affected by the south-westerly winds. These winds bring warm and moist air from the Atlantic Ocean. When they reach the British Isles, they are forced to rise up and over the mountains. This leads to cooling and condensation leading to the formation of rain clouds. This explains why mountainous areas receive the highest rainfall totals. When the air transfers to the east it is much drier accounting for the lower rainfall totals (rain shadow effect).
Low Population Density: much of Northern Scotland has a low population density. This is because much of this region is mountainous and experiences a hostile climate. it is not an ideal location for human settlement and economic activity. There are also relatively low population densities in Northern Island and Wales.
High population density: the rest of the UK with its relatively hilly areas and moderate climate, is much better suited for settlement. The highest density of population stretches from North-West England to the South-East. This area was developed as the UK’s industrial heartland during the Nineteenth Century and attracted huge numbers of people to live and work here. Well served by transport routes, and remains the UK’s most important economic region.
Very high population density: with their high-rise housing blocks and modern housing estates, cities such as London experience extremely high population densities. Employment, shops and entertainment encourage many people to live in urban areas.
Land Use: 52% of the land is comprised of grasses and rough grazing areas, 20% is comprised of arable/horticulture, 14% Urban land use, 12% Forest and woodland. In the East and South of the UK, where the climate is warm, sunny and relatively dry, arable farmland dominates. Farms specialise in growing cereals, such as wheat and barley, vegetables and root crops. To the west of the UK grassland dominates. The mild and wet climate is ideal for growing grass, which offers rich pastures for dairying, beef cattle and sheep. Rough pasture dominates the higher land in Wales and Scotland; this is mostly used for grazing sheep. The mountains of the UK, particularly Scotland, tend to have rough pasture or heather moorland. Here the harsh climate and poor soils limits the growth of commercial crops. Sheep grazing is the main form of farming. Coniferous woodland is commonly found on poor acidic soils in relatively mountainous remote areas.
Be able to explain why some areas of the UK are:
○ water stressed
○ experiencing housing shortages
Water Stress: In the UK, most rain falls in the West and North, however the greatest demand for water, is in the South and East. This mismatch between supply and demand creates water stress in those areas where water is in limited supply but where there is a large and growing demand for it. most areas with serious water stress are located in the South and East.
Ways we can prevent water stress: transfer water from wetter West to the drier east; this could involve rivers, canals or pipelines.
Construction of new reservoirs in the East to capture and store water; this would be very expensive however.
Encouraging water conservation by reducing leaks from pipes and encouraging people to use less water.
Housing Shortages: The UK is facing a shortage of housing, particularly in London and the South East, where demand is greatest.
Up to 250,000 new homes need to be built each year to keep pace with demand - currently just over 110,000 are being constructed annually.
An estimated 160,000 new homes will be needed in the next 5 years in Southern England to keep pace with demand.
Some 15,000 new homes will be needed in London alone.
What is the definition of prevailing winds
The most frequent, or common wind direction.
Be able to describe the general trend of migration over in the UK since 2001.
○ Be able to explain why specific groups have migrated to the UK (including Nigeria to the UK and
Poland to the UK). It may be beneficial to include a table of push and pull factors.
Be able to describe the Demographic Transition Model (DTM); Stage 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Include the model in your
notes and include notes on death rate, birth rate and total population (no specific figures are necessary).
○ Be able to explain where the UK can be currently placed on the DTM (stage 4/5)
○ Be able to predict the future of the UK’s population according to the DTM
Stage 1: here both the birth rate and death rate are high, effectively balancing each other out. This explains why the total population remains largely unchanged. The high birth rate reflects high infant mortality (many are born because few survive) and the need for children to work and support the family. The high death rate is due to poor health care/living conditions and wide spread disease.
Stage 2: Improvements in living conditions, health care and diet, and the introduction of medicines, cause the death rate to fall. Birth rate is still high causing increase in population.
Stage 3: Birth rate falls because improved health care reduces infant mortality, so parents have fewer children. Women are now being educated, choosing to marry later in life and have fewer children. Death rates continue to fall and then level off. The total population continues to rise before starting to slow down.
Stage 4: Both the birth rate and the death rate are low. In an advanced society, infant mortality is low and women are choosing to follow careers, marrying later and having fewer children. Contraception is widely available and widely used. Death rates reflect an ageing population so may start to rise slightly. The total population levels off.
Stage 5: As the population becomes increasingly older, the death rate may start to creep above birth rate. This has already started to happen in some Eastern European countries and in Germany.
The UK is in stage 4 of the DTM. While the birth and death rate are both low, the birth rate still exceeds the death rate.
The total population grew by some 4 million people between 2001 and 2011, and now stands at about 63 million, of which 84% live in England and Wales. Natural Increase together with immigration accounts for this population rise. The number of immigrants settling in the UK rose from 4.6 million in 2001 to 7.5 million in 2011. Most immigrants are young which explains the recently rising birth rate.
Explain the causes of an ageing population
○ Be able to describe the effects/impacts of an ageing population
○ Be able to briefly describe the spatial distribution of an ageing population. You may wish to include a
map in your notes.
○ Outline the UK government responses to an ageing population
In 2011, 16 percent of the UK’s population was aged over 65. The UK’s population pyramid shows a notable ‘bulge’ of population in the 40-50 year olds. The so-called baby boomers were born after the Second World War. With improved health care, better diets and improved lifestyles (less smoking and more exercise, the UK is experiencing an increasingly ageing population.
Challenges: Cost of health care will increase, placing pressure on the NHS and health care providers.
Elderly people will require more support if they are to remain in their own homes otherwise more care homes will need to be built, meaning more care home workers are needed.
Increasingly, middle-aged children who support their own children are now having to support their elderly parents as well.
Infrastructure such as public transports and pavements need to be modified to cater for the elderly.
Opportunities: Elderly people can contribute to the economy by working part time or working from home and paying taxes
Older people are often involved in voluntary work and in supporting other members of the family (child care) therefore allowing their other family members to go to work instead of caring for their children.
Some older people have considerable spending power, seeking leisure pursuits in retirement (cars, holiday homes). This can boost the economy
Distribution of the elderly: Relatively fewer pensioners in London and the South East due to the influx of large numbers of younger people of working age into London (economic hub)
High concentrations in the South West, a traditional retirement ‘hotspot’ with a warmer winter climate and gentler pace of life
High concentrations at the coast (for example Sussex, Norfolk and Wales), reflecting people’s desire to retire to the seaside to enjoy a less busy and slightly warmer landscape.
Government’s responses to the ageing population: Pensioner Bonds were issued in 2015 to encourage older people to save money at an improved rate of interest.
Pensioners receive financial support, such as reduced transport costs and heating allowances. This support allows pensioners to invest money in other things which could help with the economy.
Pension age has been increased - people have to work for longer before receiving their state pension (from 2018 both mean and women will have to be 66 before receiving the state pension; between 2026 and 2028, it will rise to 67).
There are many ways the British Government is trying to tackle an ageing population, with one of the most effective ways; allowing the immigration of young families to help boost the UK’s birth rate. This has one of the most effective outcome as usually immigrants take unwanted jobs which are actually very helpful for the economy, and there are already gaps of jobs due to ageing population, immigration also increases birth rate therefore tackling the ageing population.
Summary of the ethnic diversity of London and how it has changed since 2001 (korea ethnic group)
The previous 2001 London Census recorded approximately 12000 London residents born in South Korea. The 2011 report of South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade showed 45,295 South Korean citizens or former citizens (regardless of birthplace) registered as living in London. This means that Koreans in the United Kingdom are the 12th-largest group of overseas Koreans, behind Korean Brazilians and ahead of Koreans in Indonesia.
- How is the UK’s cultural influence changing?
● Be able to name some of the UK’s media exports
● Be able to describe their global influence including reference to television programmes and film.
● Be able to describe the contribution of ethnic groups to the cultural life of the UK through FOOD. The best way
to do this is through a study of one particular area (West End Lane etc.)
London’s ethnic diversity has undergone significant changes over the years, including the emergence and growth of various ethnic communities such as the Korean ethnic group. According to the Office for National Statistics, in the 2001 census, the Korean population in London was recorded at around 10,600. However, by the time of the 2011 census, this number had increased to approximately 23,500, with a significant concentration in London. Areas like New Malden in South West London have become known as ‘Little Korea,’ characterised by the surplus of Korean businesses and restaurants. Therefore due to the high concentration of Koreans in these areas we have seen a large change in ethnic diversity.
Sales of Korean food are soaring in Waitrose and Marks & Spencer thus showing the effect the Korean ethnic group has on UK culture. The popularity of Marks & Spencer’s Korean ranges has gone from strength to strength in recent months.
Sales of Gochujang and Korean BBQ Paste, have risen by 200% in the past 12 months as more customers than ever before now cook authentic Korean dishes at home. As the increase in demand of these products grow, so do the prices. Therefore this shows the importance of the Korean ethnic group to UK’s culture.
Identify major economic changes in the UK since 2001 including:
○ how has the employment of the UK’s workforce changed? (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary).
○ Be able to describe how have working hours changed in the UK
○ Be able to explain why working hours in the UK have changed
○ Be able to describe how have political priorities changed due to these economic changes
In the past: Most industries used to be powered by coal mined from South Wales, the Midlands, North East England and Scotland.
Towns and cities grew up producing steel, ships and textiles. Ports such as London, Liverpool, Glasgow and Bristol developed as important hubs for imports and exports.
In the last few decades of the 20th century, many of the UK’s industries became outdated and faced competition abroad. Factories closed and many people lost their jobs.
Now: The UK’s economy is now dominated by the service sector. This includes financial services; high-technology industries based on research; media and creative industries; and tourism.
There is still some manufacturing in the UK, including cars, chemicals, light engineering and food processing. These modern industries are very efficient and can compete on the world market. Construction (for example housing, road and railway building) is important in the UK. For example, Crossrail will open in 2018, linking West and East London with Heathrow Airport.
(less primary sector jobs, more tertiary and quaternary sector jobs)
Agriculture has continued to decline slightly due to increased mechanisation and combination of farms into larger units
Industry has declined, mainly due to mechanisation and competition from abroad.
Services have grown due to expansion in financial and professional services, tourism, media, education and health care.
How have working hours changed since 2001: The average hours worked by men in full-time jobs fell from 46 to 44 hours a week.
For women, average hours in full-time employment fell from 41 hours-40 hours a week
Fathers worked shorter hours - in 2001, 40% of fathers worked 48 hours or more a week. By 2011, this had fallen to 31%
Fathers also worked less at weekends and in the evenings - in 2001, 67% worked in the evenings, whereas in 2011 the figure had fallen to 50%.
The proportion of households with two full-time earners increased from 26% to 29%.
Economic hubs
○ Be able to name economic hubs in the UK
○ Be able to explain why areas have become economic hubs
● Be able to identify the changes in London and how this is significant to the region and the UK.
University towns such as Oxford and Cambridge and Manchester have tapped into their high qualified graduate labour force to focus on the development of high-tech, research-based industries (biotech, software, medical and so on). Within cities, economic hubs have often developed as a result of deindustrialisation and urban redevelopment, for example Canary Wharf in London.
Throughout the country there are business and science parks located on the outskirts of towns and cities, often tapping into nearby university research facilities. London attracts many foreigners from around the world due to the plethora of job opportunities, the universities such as UCL and companies such as Google which have located their headquarters to attract people to work in London.
Evaluate the effectiveness of UK’s role in resolving the conflict within Afghanistan
○ Be able to provide a brief outline of one conflict the UK has been involved in. (Afghanistan)
○ Be able to identify the UK’s participation in international organisations (e.g. UN/NATO etc.) as part of
this conflict.
The UK’s involvement as a part of the ISAF in Afghanistan was relatively effective in the short term as they helped to drive out the Taliban, who openly block access for women to work, be educated and have equal rights. These are all human rights violations and go against our ideals of fairness and equality, this also hindered Afghanistan’s development. Therefore UK was effective in the short term in driving the taliban out.
However the UK’s involvement as a part of the ISAF in Afghanistan was relatively ineffective in the long term. As once the UK forces were to pull out, the Taliban can easily destroy the ANSF who have yet gained the strength to properly fight back against the Taliban therefore highlighting the insecurity in the long term stability which Afghanistan needs. Suicide bombings continued throughout the twenty years of occupation and whilst some areas such as Kabul saw significant progress in terms
of development, many more rural areas saw less impact, if any. The country is back under Taliban control now, so many of the socio-economic gains
have disappeared.
The UK’s involvement was also ineffective as of the failure of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. At the time the UK were relying on the FCO to organise the profiles on who to fly away but the head of the office decided to go on holiday during the crucial part of the managing, leading to absolute chaos as the security didn’t know who to let on the planes at the airport. This meant that many Afghan citizens were left in a life or death situation as they didn’t know whether to try to get on the plane as if they were caught, they would be killed by the Taliban. This clearly states the disorganisation and ineffectiveness of their part in helping the people.
