Crown of Aragon: Expansion and Society (12th-15th Centuries)
The Territorial Expansion of the 12th Century
In the 12th century, the Catalan counties and the Kingdom of Aragon extended their territories. King Alfonso I of Aragon, the Battler, occupied all populations of the Muslim kingdom of Zaragoza, including the capital (1118). Later, Alfonso II of Aragon ended the occupation. Meanwhile, the Count of Barcelona, Ramon Berenguer IV, completed the formation of the Catalan territory to Tortosa and Lleida.
The Creation of the Crown of Aragon
In 1137, the marriage
Read MoreSpanish vs. English Colonization in the Americas: A Comparison
Spanish vs. English Colonization in the Americas
Key Differences in Colonial Approaches
One of the main differences between the two settlements stems from the fact that Spanish America already had politically developed agricultural civilizations, empires, and states, in contrast to the hunting bands of Anglo-America. The former were already civilized (anthropologically speaking, civilization comes with intensive cereal farming), so the Spanish only had to change the political superstructure after
Read MoreUrban Functions and Their Distribution Within Cities
Urban Functions
Cities serve a multitude of functions, some of which have evolved over time. Here’s a breakdown of key urban functions:
1. Military Function
Historically, cities served as places of refuge and strength, often housing military bases. While this function has diminished in prominence, it still influences the development of some cities. For example, Toledo’s historical role as a military stronghold shaped its growth. Other cities, strategically located along major transportation routes,
Read MoreT22 Population, Economy, and Culture in the Canary Islands
T22 Population and Society
Most T22 Pobladors: Galician, Castilian, Andalusians, Aragonese, etc. Population: XVI: + 38,000 inhabitants, Tenerife (TF) 20,000. 1605: 41,000 inhabitants. 1688: 105,075 inhabitants, 70% in western islands, 30,000 in eastern islands. Western population increased due to the wine boom, while eastern population decreased due to the sugar cane crisis, pirate attacks, epidemics, and emigration to TF and La Palma (Lpal). 1802: 194,516 inhabitants. Eastern population increased
Read MoreUnderstanding Population Dynamics: Birth, Death, and Fertility Rates
Mortality Rate
The mortality rate depends on factors such as food and resources, and hygienic-sanitary conditions. High mortality rates are observed in Russia and Africa.
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR):
- [Total deaths of children under one year (x) / total births (x)] · 1000
- IMR high: above 35‰
- IMR moderate: between 15 and 35‰
- IMR low: up to 15‰
Infant mortality in underdeveloped countries is often caused by infectious or parasitic diseases.
Once we have the birth rate and death rate, we can calculate
Read MoreGlobal Water Demand, Scarcity, and Sustainability
Global Water Demand: Factors and Trends
The demand for water is steadily increasing due to several key factors:
- Rising world population
- Increased irrigation for food production
- Improved living standards
- Higher domestic water consumption
Water Use by Sector
Domestic: Use in homes, including water disposal.
Industrial: Use in factories and for power generation, particularly in North America and Europe.
Agricultural: Use for irrigation, which is the primary water-consuming activity in Asia and Africa.