Geography 1200: World Regional Geography
Fall Semester, 2008

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Study Guide: Final Exam

Dec 18 (R)

Lecture Notes:

North America:

-What are some important ways that Canada is similar to, and yet different from, the US?

-Be able to identify the key North American climate and agricultural regions

-Be able to discuss the pros and cons of dams and hydro power. Also, understand the key water issues facing parts of the United States including: the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, the Great Lakes, California and the Great Plains (Ogallala Aquifer).

-Where are the major primary and secondary industrial regions in North America?

-Video and discussion: Understand the major issues involving the location of auto manufacturing and parts plants in the US

-Focus on French Canada (Quebec): What is the historical background of French Canada? What is the significance of Nunavut?

-Understand the issue of Quebec separatism dating from the referendum of 1995.

-Be able to discuss the key issues related to the video on French Canada.

Middle America:

-What are the major geographic divisions of Middle America?

-Understand the following terms: Middle America, Latin America, Central America, Mesoamerica, the Caribbean and the Greater and Lesser Antilles.

-What are the basic physiographic components of the Caribbean?

-In what ways are Cuba and Puerto Rico similar and how do they differ?

-Be able to identify one aspect of each of the following Central American countries from lecture and your reading: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

-NOTE: Be able to identify the colonial power of the Central American countries and each country in the Greater Antilles.

South America:

-Be able to identify the sub-regions (and the component countries) for South America.

-Northern Andes and Caribbean Coast: Understand the physical landscape associated with this region. What are some key economic and political issues in Venezuela and Colombia?

-Central Andes: What are the major physical regions associated with these zones?

-Understand the concept of "altitudinal zonation" including the general elevations where particular agricultural products are grown (see diagram on page 121 in the book)

-What are some ways that Brazil dominates the South American continent based on class discussion?

-Be able to identify the chief geographic aspects of the Amazon region including the key regional industries (historic and modern-day) and the role of Manaus.

-How can the "growth-pole concept" be applied to Amazonia?

-Understand the key economic sectors in Chile based on the in-class video.

Map ID Section

-The maps for the Final Exam include Middle America (Map 7A) and South America (Maps 8A & B). Don’t worry about the Lesser Antilles (Map 7B).