Digital Divides

The Digital Divide (originally used to describe inequalities of access to the Internet between households in the USA or UK) usually refers to the uneven development of Internet access within a country. A more appropriate term to match those theories that go with globalisation, such as most in the modern day, is the term 'Global Digital Divide' (GDD) which, as you may have guessed, refers to unequal Internet access between countries.

Currently only one third of the worlds 7 billion people are online. Leading experts believe that, in 2011, only 35% of the worlds entire population were online. However, a rather shocking statistic from a recent report called The World in 2011: ICT Facts and Figures, published by the International Telecommunication in Geneva shows that of the 35% of the world who are online, the majority of Internet users are from Developing Countries, with China and India making up 47% of the total share of those developing countries. But is this really that shocking? Thinking about it - no. Because those countries are the ones which are developing the fastest, those are the countries that push technological boundaries and as a result, they use the Internet far more than expected. Furthermore, these countries that are developing understand the importance of technology and the Internet so therefore provide the necessary education to use the web efficiently and effectively. This has proven to be a key reason as to why the number of people who use the web is so high in developing countries. Recent studies show that those who understand how to use the Internet and its facilities are more likely to use it (hence why younger people generally use the Internet more than those in the elder generations) which proves that teaching the skills required is all part of providing access. The sooner those Internet-poor countries realise this, the sooner the GDD will fall to a level that is far more acceptable in today's society.


Sources;
The World in 2011: ICT Facts and Figures, International Telecommunication Union
www.digitaldivide.net

Globalisation and the expansion of global ideologies.

Globalisation has become what many believe to be a recent phenomenon of the last decade or so (although this has caused divided opinions amongst experts). It can refer to either political, social, economic, ecological or ideological globalisation, but here, I will discuss the Ideological aspects of Globalisation. Ideological Globalisation can be defined, although not limited to, 'the expansion and integration of concepts and ideologies across the globe'.

As Manfred B. Steger put it nicely in his book 'Globalization - A Very Short Introduction' (printed by the Oxford University Press), jihadist globalism has certainly been on the rise recently. And as he also detailed in his book, at the heart of it is Osama bin Laden, the man behind 9/11 and the old-leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

Throughout his time as leader of arguably, the world's most prolific terrorist group, he constantly contradicted himself - claiming that the West were invading Middle-East, not physically invading with troops (although this did happen when President Bush sent troops to Iraq and Afghanistan), but in an ideological sense. He saw the US and its allies as planting ideas and innovations in the minds of those around him, in those of the Middle-East. So, as a result, he retaliated and set up al-Qaeda in 1988. But despite the retaliation, he did contradict himself.





















 Here, as he can be seen talking to the camera, making threats to the US in 2001; he is seen wearing a Casio f-91W watch, made by the Japanese computer firm Casio Computer Co., Ltd. It is also designed and manufactured in Japan, yet is sold globally, so technically, this f-91W watch is a global phenomenon, much like Globalisation and is a symbol of Globalisation, but why is he wearing that watch, if he is against the Globalisation Phenomenon?

We can also see in the background of the image AK-47, a global weapon of choice for many who would need one. The Islamic Extremist is also using a video-camera and microphone to get his message across the Globe, he wants to be seen and wants to be known around the World. But yet he is against Globalisation? Furthermore, to relay this message, it was broadcast on the Al-Jazeera network based in Qatar, yet this is a global network. There's also a high chance that his clothes have been made elsewhere, it's unlikely those clothes were made using local 'threads', so yet again without realising, he's contradicted himself and everything he is against. This is the power of the Globalisation trend, and although he represented those against the expansion and intensification of global ideologies, he constantly and repeatedly contradicted himself. The power of Globalisation is now, more evident, and more prominent than ever.

Sources;
Manfred B. Steger, 'Globalization - a very short introduction', Oxford University Press
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-13296443
AP source; AAP
www.aljazeera.com
James Ball (April 25, 2011). "Guantánamo Bay files: Casio wristwatch 'the sign of al-Qaida'".

Clouds

On a recent trip to Southern Spain, I observed some of the most wonderful and interesting cloud formations I have ever seen - this left me and my inquisitive mind to wonder, how do these fantastic silhouettes form in the skies above?

 

Defined as "a visible mass of condensed water vapour floating in the atmosphere, typically high above the ground", terrestrial clouds often form from water vapour in the air due to evaporation or transpiration of water, wind convergence over water (or moist ground) into areas of upward motion, precipitation and also when cool or dry air moves over warmer water which will become more humid. As the air rises from the surface of the earth towards space, the warm air begins to cool which reduces the capacity of the air to hold the water vapour so some of the vapour condenses onto very small particles of dust that are floating in the atmosphere and form a tiny droplet around each dust particle. When billions of these droplets come together and agglutinate, they become a visible cloud.

 

Clouds are often classified into 3 groups according to their height in the sky. Clouds above 18,000 feet are known as 'Cirrus' clouds (high clouds). Clouds that form between 6,500 feet and 18,000 feet are known as 'Alto' clouds (middle clouds). Finally, low clouds that form below 6,500 feet are known as 'Stratus' clouds. These variations can often prove helpful in predicting future weather conditions and the type of clouds that form have, for centuries, been used by farmers and agricultural workers to predict tomorrow's weather patterns.

 

Now, there is much more detail and information on clouds and their formation on the web and it is well documented in books - I have merely scratched the surface on the science and geography of clouds but I hope I have provided you with a simple insight on clouds and their formation.

Image from http://www.flightlearnings.com/2011/10/30/methods-by-which-air-reaches-the-saturation-point-part-three-clouds/

Sources;

1.      Steve Horstmeyer (2008). "Why don't clouds fall?". Graz University of Technology. Retrieved 2012-04-06. 

2.      David R. Dowling and Lawrence F. Radke (1990). "A Summary of the Physical Properties of Cirrus Clouds". Journal of Applied Meteorology 29 (9): 970–978 (977).

3.      Glossary of Meteorology (June 2000). "Adiabatic Process". American Meteorological Society. Retrieved 2008-12-27.

Geomorphology

What is geomorphology? In this post I aim to explore and explain what exactly geomorphology is and the way in which it links into the discipline of geography as a whole. 

Geomorphology refers to the study of the  Earth's surface and the processes in which it is shaped, both in the present and in the past. Geomorphology has many sub-topics that refer to specific locations or areas of similar geomorphology. For instance, geomorphology in arid environments such as near the Tropics (of Capricorn and Cancer). The underlying features of all the sub-topics is that they contain similar core principles, which are most likely to be climatic or tectonic processes. 

Geomorphology is studied under a number of different titles- most notably Physical Geography, but it can also be practised under the larger topics of archaeology or geology. The wide base of interest results in varying research methods, as well as different conclusions from the results of data collection.

They often aim to predict future changes in the Earth's surface through a number of methods including field observations, physical experiments and numerical observations. The latter known as Geomorphometry. 

Such processes that may be included within the Geomorphology field include eolian processes such as wind erosion or fluvial erosion such as corrosion. 

We should end with the name of a notable geomorphologist, William Morris Davis, who has been dubbed 'the father of American Geography' and he paid important attention to geomorphology as a key aspect to his research of Physical Geography. Thus proving the importance of this sub-field to the discipline as a whole. 

References: 

'International Conference Of Geomorphology', Europa Organisation. 

Tinkler, Heith J. A short history of geomorphology. Page 4. 1985

 

Tourism

The growth of tourism in recent years has provided both many benefits and drawbacks to those countries that have experienced significant changes in the number of tourists visiting their country each year. And here, I will discuss the impact of tourism on national economies. There are many reasons for such a growth in global tourism, for example; increases in the disposable incomes of millions of people, the expansion of budget airlines, such as easyJet, the greater cultural and social awareness of foreign entities. However, how beneficial is tourism to an economy? Before we look at a case study, I should specify the difference between the tourism economy and the tourism industry. The tourism economy includes all payments and those employed indirectly from tourism. For instance, those who make the carpet for a new hotel that has been built specifically for tourism. Whereas the tourism industry includes only the payments directly attributed to tourism and those directly employed in tourism, for instance, holiday reps.

Taking Spain as an example, over the past 40 years, Spain's tourism economy has grown to be the second largest in the world worth approximately $US237,898 million which was about 15.3% of Spain’s GDP (gross domestic product) in 2010. The tourism industry employed around 1,280,000 people in 2010 compared to the nation’s whole tourism economy which employed around 3,205,000 people. Now, these figures are vast and show just how important tourism is to the Spanish economy, with 14% of the total population employed in the tourism economy. The multiplier effect of this figure should not be underestimated, the growth of tourism certainly helped Spain to develop its economy into one of Europe's biggest.

Despite this, recent trends of tourism have led to Spain to become second choice for many as they search for a greater cultural experience. The ideology of crowded Spanish beaches in Benidorm has become a horror for many, although still attracting many of those wanting a home-from-home experience in the sun, with the likes of Tesco's and McDonald's along the beach front.

So what next for Spain? As we all know, Spain's economy has been suffering recently with a 57% unemployment rate for those under 25, so in order to help kick-start the economy again, it is necessary that Spain attempts to diversify into different market segments of tourism, whilst maintaining its utilisation of the main attraction factor for many - the Sun. Perhaps more emphasis on the budding ski resort of Sierra Nevada near Granada in Southern Spain, or maybe even promoting more of its cultural festivals such as the 'Running of the bulls' in Pamplona. Whatever the Spanish government resorts to, it is important Spain maintains its tourism economy, and sustains (or preferably increases) the current levels of income it brings into the economy.

Spanish Unemployment Rate

References:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/83fc03d8-c919-11e2-bb56-00144feab7de.html#axzz2XX1oQnnr

Borders

Borders define the geographic boundaries of political entities or areas of different legal jurisdiction, for instance, between states in USA. These borders may be natural such as the Niagara River which separates the USA from Canada. Another example of a natural boarder is oceans as there are very few nations that span more than one continent. These borders may also be manmade, such as the border that separates India and Pakistan, which is so large that it can be seen from space.

Originally, borders served to separate nations and act as a defence from offensive threats of neighbouring regimes or to separate countries with political differences, however, more recently, as the world has developed there has been a global shift towards the relaxation of borders. This is because of the developments in technology that make invading other countries a non-existent feature of modern day world. Despite this, physical natural and manmade borders (as well as non-physical borders) still exist as to prevent the free movement of the population to avoid over-crowding in certain countries. They also serve to reduce trade between countries, most notably in illegal goods and services such as drugs and human trafficking. The best example of this is the Mexico-United States border that runs nearly 2,000 miles along the Rio Grande, It is thought that over 520,000 Mexicans try to cross the border in an attempt to lead a better lifestyle in the USA, of the 520,000, 40% will slip through US border control and gain illegal access to America. It is thought by Dr Douglas Massey of Princeton University that the efforts of the US to increase security along the border has led to migration flows in the most desolate and most desert places along the border and thus increasing the mortality rate of those who try to enter the US illegally. As a result of the danger posed by crossing the border, those who gain access to the US are highly likely to attempt to stay in the US and are increasingly likely to pay criminals in an attempt to have the criminals bring their families across the border to the better lifestyle the US offers. Such danger posed by the border has created a large informal economy for criminals in drug, weapon and human trafficking which has further required security resources to be deployed to this problem and therefore has cost the US more money. In the Europe, however, the borders are mostly more relaxed due to the formation of the EU that allows the free movement of people, goods, services and capital from one EU member country to another, in total, there are 27 EU member countries.

The India-Pakistan border. Image courtesy of BBC

References:

Kelly, Patricia, and Douglas Massey. "Borders for Whom? The Role of NAFTA in Mexico-U.S. Migration". The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political Science 610 (2007): 98–118.

Beaches

Many people don't realise it, but beaches are a in fact a landform of deposition caused by the sea and its sediment. They can form in many different types of coastline and bring immense enjoyment and satisfaction to many of those who use them.

Beach profiles generally fall into two extremes: those that are wide and flat (constructive) and those that are narrow and steep (destructive). The type of beaches depends on the wave energy and more specifically, the type of wave. The types of wave include;

 - Constructive waves. These wash sediment up the beach as the waves have high energy, they then deposit the sediment as the energy of the wave decreases and it flows back down as backwash and out to the sea. They are usually shallow and of a low frequency. It involves a strong swash and weak backwash, as well as a long fetch (the horizontal distance over which wave-generating winds blow).

 - Destructive waves. These pick up sediment as they run down the beach and carry it back out to sea, therefore 'destroying' the beach.  Often involve high waves and they are often of a high frequency. They have a strong backwash and a weak swash, as well as a short fetch.

(NOTE; swash - the rush of seawater up the beach after the breaking of a wave.

            backwash - The motion of receding waves, as water flows down the beach)



The type of beach also depends upon the particle size. There is a relationship between particle size and the beach slope profile; this is partly to do with grain size but also to do with percolation rates.

As a result, different beaches will have different features associated with them. For instance, destructive waves often produce steep beaches whereas the beaches formed by constructive waves are often much more gently sloping. Or, shingle beaches are steeper than sand beaches because shingle beaches have higher percolation rates.

Constructive waves (top) and Destructive waves (bottom. Images from BBC.