The Industrial Revolution (1750-1870)
The Industrial Revolution (1750-1870): A Changing World
The Great Divergence
The Industrial Revolution propelled Western nations to unprecedented power and wealth, surpassing the economic limitations of the old regime. This phenomenon, known as the “Great Divergence” or “European Miracle,” stemmed from government intervention, geography, and cultural traditions. Europe’s progressive trajectory may be attributed to climate, location, resources, philosophical views, and societal organization. While
Read MoreUrbanization and Population Dynamics in Spain
Metropolitan Areas
Metropolitan areas are urban municipalities centered around a large, complex city (a metropolis). They encompass multiple interconnected municipalities with significant economic and social ties.
Shantytowns
Shantytowns represent the most impoverished forms of urban habitats, particularly in underdeveloped countries. These settlements consist of self-constructed homes using waste materials in marginalized urban areas unsuitable for regular planned urbanization.
Spatial Development
Read MoreEvolution and Current State of Transportation Networks in Spain
Roads
Historical Evolution
The antecedents of Spain’s road network are found in the Roman roads connecting the main cities of the Empire. The current centralized structure took shape in the 18th century under Bourbon rule. Until the 20th century, roads were generally poor, making travel slow and costly. With the widespread use of automobiles, roads steadily improved, and cars became the dominant mode of transport. In the 1960s and 1970s, the increasing prevalence of cars necessitated improvements
Read MoreCatalonia’s Population Dynamics and Urban Structure
1. Population Dynamics
1.1 Overview
Catalonia’s population has experienced continuous, albeit irregular, growth over the past 300 years. Growth in the 18th and 19th centuries was primarily due to vegetative growth (births exceeding deaths). However, the 20th and 21st centuries saw migration become the main driver of population increase.
1.2 Migration Patterns
Three key periods of immigration shaped Catalonia’s 20th-century population growth:
- 1920-1930: Half a million people arrived from Aragon, Murcia,
Sustainable Food Production: Agriculture, Livestock, and Fishing
Sustainable Food Production
Agriculture
Traditional or Subsistence Agriculture
Produces crops to feed the family farmer, with surplus for sale or storage in good harvest years.
Extensive Agriculture
Cultivates plants in large tracts of land using minimal machinery. Low crop yields are often improved by techniques like crop rotation and fallow.
Intensive Agriculture
Produces large quantities of a single crop, requiring significant energy input (solar or fossil fuels), water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Read MoreThe Tertiary Sector: A Comprehensive Overview
The Tertiary Sector
5. Financial Services
Financial services manage money. These services are provided by banks, savings banks, brokers, investment companies, stock markets, and insurance companies.
6. Transportation Services
Transportation services provide transport and intermediary means for these services. Developed countries have good infrastructure, making transport safer, more convenient, and faster. In contrast, developing countries often have insufficient and outdated transportation systems.
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