Medieval Europe: Trade, Urban Growth, and Societal Changes
1. When Did Agricultural Production Start to Increase?
Agricultural production began to increase in the 12th century. New land was created by cutting down forests and draining marshes. In some areas, the three-year system of crop rotation was established, leaving one-third of the land fallow each year. The moldboard plow tilled the soil more efficiently. In Mediterranean areas, irrigation became more widespread, and new crops were introduced. There was also greater use of wind and water mills, which
Read MoreLivestock Farming in Spain: Trends and Production
Livestock Activity in Spain: Evolution and Changes
Traditional farming, based on the coexistence of different livestock species in the same area, made up of indigenous breeds with a high degree of wildness, and using backward techniques and systems, caused extensive livestock yields. The low current has experienced major changes in structure and production, which have led to increased yields.
Density Structure and Recent Changes
a) Production tends to specialize in the production of meat or milk. This
Read MoreEconomic Impacts: COVID-19, Financial Crisis, Demographics, and Migration
COVID-19 Crisis vs. Financial Crisis
1. Origins of the Financial Crisis
Main causes: Low interest rates, huge savings from China and other Asian countries, self-fulfilling expectations, subprime mortgages, and the real estate bubble in the US, whose burst led to a financial crisis.
Consequences: Significant asset price decreases, the stock market crash in 2008, and financial and non-financial bankruptcies. The crisis affected the real economy of the world through several channels: a collapse in international
Read MoreRural Spain: Physical Factors, Human Impact, and Agricultural Evolution
Physical Factors and the Human Environment in Rural Spain
Relief
Elevated average altitude of 660m, heavy erosion, and steep slopes that hinder mechanization.
Climate
Scarce and irregular rainfall, temperatures with extreme variations, intense solar radiation, and aridity, leading to poor soil quality.
Soil
Poor soil structure and shallow agricultural land.
Traditional and Modern Agricultural Practices
Traditional Practices
- High number of manual laborers.
- Coexistence of small and large farms.
- Extensive farming
Urbanization: From Ancient Cities to Modern Megacities
Urbanization Process
The Birth of the First Cities
The discovery of agriculture and stock breeding took place in the Middle East about 10,000 years ago. That is why people became sedentary and built villages, generally located next to rivers (Tigris, Euphrates, or Nile, for example). The first cities (Jericho?) appeared around 6,500 – 7,000 years ago when those villages grew and got to have hundreds of inhabitants, becoming small cities. These cities were encircled by walls.
Ancient City
The cities
Read MoreKey Concepts in Economics and Agrarian Activities
1. What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development involves using resources in a reasonable way, ensuring that we can use them for this generation and for future generations.
2. What are the Four Factors of Production?
The four factors of production are capital, enterprise, land, and labor (CELL).
3. What Does Scarcity Mean?
Scarcity refers to a limited amount of something, not enough to fulfill the wants and needs of all people. It signifies a lack of something.