Western Hemisphere & Southwest Asia TEST REVIEW Flashcards
(57 cards)
What is deforestation?
Cutting, clearing, and removal of rainforest or related ecosystems into less bio-diverse ecosystems
Reasons for deforestation in Central and South America
Logging, mining, oil and gas extraction, cattle ranching, urbanization/building and farming
Consequences of deforestation
Loss of biodiversity/species extinction, soil erosion, contributing to climate change, pollution
What countries colonized land in the Western Hemisphere? Where did they colonize?
French, British: North America
Spanish, Portuguese: Central and South America
what are the POSITIVE effects of tourism on the caribbean countries?
- major source of income
- creates jobs
- businesses spring up
what are the NEGATIVE affects of tourism?
- workers have low wages and lack benefits
- strain on local communities
- large public debt
why was Panama chosen as the location for the canal?
its the narrowest land mass between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
what effect has the Panama Canal had on Panama?
increase in trade
what does NAFTA stand for?
North American Free Trade Agreement
what is NAFTA?
treaty- U.S., Canada, and Mexico
eliminates tariffs on goods and reduces trade barriers btwn these countries
Wat is a free enterprise system?
Type of economy where products, prices, or services are determined by the market, not the government
What are the benefits of a free enterprise system?
Freedom of owning private property, producers producing at their own profit, both consumers and producers can control themselves, increased efficiency, adequate use of resources
Positives of Colombian exchange
European countries were able to expand their empires and increase trade between Europe and the New World
Negatives of Colombian Exchange
Thousands of natives were forcibly removed from their land and/or died from diseases brought over from Europe
What is a democracy?
All eligible citizens participate equally either directly or through elected representatives in the creation and carrying out of laws
What is a dictatorship?
Single individual or small group hold complete control of the government and there is no representation of the people within the government
Why do countries in central and South America struggle to move toward democratic governments?
They show little support for democratic rule; after colonial rule many of these countries were ruled by dictators
What happened to the Inca empire?
It was destroyed by Spanish conquistadors
What is terrace farming?
When the terrain is hilly or steep, farmers make flat areas for planting their crops
Why is terrace farming effective
Allows soil to remain in place and water can naturally flow onto cops; reduces erosion
What is a push factor
Factor that causes people to move away
What are examples of push factors
Poverty, fear, disasters, unemployment
What is a pull factor
Factor that attracts people to come
Examples of pull factors
Safety, opportunity, stability, freedom
