Geography of U.S. Presidential Elections

Election day in the United States is only two weeks away (on November 4). On this particular election day, the United States will elect a new president. One thing that many people may not consider is how inherently geographic presidential elections are (or any election is for that matter). Geography works its way throughout a campaign and subsequent election, and the U.S. contains vast regional geographic differences that play an important role in the outcome of any election. The following video is a lecture by Professer Martin Lewis of the Department of History at Stanford University. He explains the geography of U.S. Presidential elections.

Introduction:



Lecture 1:



Additionally, you may find the following map interesting that details the geographic outcome of the 2004 U.S. Presidential election:

Adventures in the "Golden Land", Part 1 - Rangoon, Burma

“Then , a golden mystery upheaved itself on the horizon - a beautiful, winking wonder that blazed in the sun, of a shape that was neither Muslim dome nor Hindu temple spire.  It stood upon a green knoll… ‘There's the old Shway Dagon,’ said my companion.  The golden dome said, ‘This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about.’” 

- Rudyard Kipling, Letters from the East, 1889

 Schwedegon Pagoda, Rangoon, Burma

Arriving in the Golden Land and Rangoon 

As the Thai Airways Boeing 767 jet from Bangkok descended into Rangoon I could see the floodplain of the Irrawaddy River delta from my window seat, the mountains in the distance, many farms throughout the floodplain, and an assortment of golden and white temples dotting the landscape, their stupas protruding above the vegetation.  Rangoon’s airport is typical of the third world – no jetways, requiring a stroll out onto the tarmac, and an old dilapidated terminal building.  Surprisingly, most of us made it through customs and immigration without being searched or interrogated by the numerous military government representatives. 

Rangoon, although a city of five million and the largest city in Burma (Myanmar), remains very lush with tropical flora – coconut palms, bougainvillea of a variety of vivid reds, oranges, yellows, whites, and pinks, banana leaf trees, and more.  This lushness adds a pleasant atmosphere often lacking in cities of comparable size, confirming it’s title of “the garden city of the east”.  The city is located within the fertile Irrawaddy River delta.  The city’s feel probably has not changed in decades.  Old, decaying colonial buildings dominate the central city, interspersed with ramshackle structures.  Walking appears to be the most common form of transportation.  But, in the case of vehicular movement, traffic flows mostly on the right despite a century of British colonial rule – although most vehicles steering wheel remains on the right, as in Britain.  If a taste of the British colonial lifestyle is what you seek, then simply step into the Strand Hotel.  The Strand is one of the older hotels in Rangoon, and a lasting vestige of the former colonial opulence during the time of British colonial rule. 

There seems to be a pagoda around every corner, but the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda (which I visited later this afternoon) stands on a hill above everything else, dominating the skyline of the city.  The people of Rangoon are very hospitable.  Most men, women, and children wear a “longii” – a type of sarong wrap – instead of pants.  I tried one out a few days later and I must say it does suit the tropical climate, offering superb ventilation. 

Set high on Singuttara Hill, the famous Shwedagon Pagoda is quite a sight to behold!  Over 400 feet tall and sheathed in no less than nine tons of gold, the pagoda is crowned with over 5,000 diamonds, and 2,000 rubies, sapphires, and topaz, with a huge emerald on its topmost spire.  Regarded as one of the wonders of the world, it was first began over 2,500 years ago and completed in the 1800s.  To gain merit (an integral part of Theravada Buddhism), locals come here to wash the images of the Buddha and to sweep the floor.  Hundreds of smaller pagodas surround the large Shwedagon Pagoda.  I walked completely around the pagoda, interacted with some of the people and monks, and saw some older photographs of the area in an adjacent museum.  A visit to this site is a surreal experience not to be missed.  From its superb vantage point, a view from the pagoda of surrounding Rangoon is quite impressive. 

Downtown Rangoon seems to radiate out from the Sule Pagoda, also over 2,000 years old and 157 feet high.  The area surrounding the pagoda appears to bustle with the comings and goings of humanity.  Within the holy site of the pagoda are many pilgrims and worshippers performing tasks of merit such as washing images of the Buddha.  But this is not the only holy site in the city’s center.  Nor is Buddhism the only religion represented here.  From my vantage point at the pagoda I could see several structures each representing one of the world’s great religions.  One corner is graced by a Catholic cathedral, which stands in front of a Baptist church. On another corner is an Islamic mosque, with a Hindu temple located next door. 

The famously described “1,000 scents of the Orient” may be found intermingling, stirring the senses, in many a market in Asia – ginger and curry, cinnamon, cardamom and coconut, dried fish and fresh fruits, for example.  The markets of Rangoon are no exception.  Everything one could possibly require may most likely be found in the city’s largest and oldest market, the Bogyoke Aung San Market, located a few blocks north of the Sule Pagoda.  

The monument to Burmese independence from Britain, a 150-foot high obelisk surrounded by five 30-foot pillars, is merely a short walk from the Sule Pagoda.  Nearby to the park containing the independence monument are many government buildings, housed in stately colonial structures.  Also nearby is the U.S. embassy.  The city center is also experiencing changes to its colonial skyline.  Foreign investors are funding construction of several high-rise office and hotel buildings. However, given the political situation in Burma, with a military junta ruling the country, no one is quite sure in what direction the country is headed.

Note: this post stems from my travels to Southeast Asia in 2004.

Geography of the Global Economy

In light of the recent tumultuous events shaking the United States' economy, and subsequently the world economy, I thought an entry here about the geography of the global economy (which is directly linked to the geography of globalization) would be interesting.

Here is a link to an interesting learning module about the geography of the global economy, courtesy of the Association of American Geographers:
Global Economy Module

Concerning geographers' study of the global economy, the learning module states that "Geographers study the spatial activities of economies at different scales. In the global economy, these activities include patterns of international trade, the flow of information through communication networks, regional flows of capital and resources, and the spatial distribution of labor. Increasingly, economic processes and patterns are affected by globalization - a process by which 'events, activities, and decisions in one part of the world can have significant consequences for communities in distant parts of the globe' (Haggett, 2001)" (Global Economy Module - Lesson 1).

The Global Economy learning module goes on to state that: "The global economy is a very complex system linking nations through the trade and flow of goods, services, and information. Geographers are interested in how globalization affects the spatial arrangement of economic services and activities; how this arrangement affects local and national economies; and how local and national economies contribute to the form and function of the global economy. They are interested in issues such as the relocation of economic activities and jobs from high-wage to low-wage countries; the role of information technologies in building electronic networks of commerce; the formation of economic blocs such as the North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA) and the European Union (EU); and the spectacular growth of newly industrialized economies, most notably in Pacific Asia" (Global Economy Module - Lesson 1).

Additionally, the module states that "The importance, extent, and sheer economic scale of these spatial changes, most notably during the 1970s and 1980s, took many governments and industrial enterprises by surprise. Many governments struggled to react in the face of the industrial and labor relocations that took place and to recognize that the foundations of the new economy were no longer locally or nationally based, but were now global. Likewise, private firms had to adapt by restructuring their production systems to consider the most effective and efficient means of doing business in a global market" (Global Economy Module - Lesson 1).

Globalization and the global economy are obviously very geographic and warrant the study by geographers and others. With all the upheavals currently occurring the the U.S. and global economies, it is important for people to gain a better understand of the foundations of the current system and to understand how and why globalization occurs and how and why the global economy is the way it currently is.

Geography on YouTube!

Here are some interesting videos about geography and geographic topics discovered on youtube.com:

Geography Tutor - Map Skills:



Geography Tutor - Types of Maps and Map Projections:



Geography Tutor - Map and Globe Terms:



The Nations of the World:



Fifty State Capitals:

Overview of Peru for Travelers

by Richard Monk, April 20, 2006

Peru is located on the upper west coast of South America. If you are considering Peru as a travel destination, following is an overview of the country.

Overview of Peru for Travelers

Historically, Peru was the location of the dominant early cultures in South America. The city of Caral has pyramid remains dated to between 2000 and 2600 BC, which may make it the oldest city in the world. Peru is also the home of the Nazca Lines, the football field size drawings in the ground that are only apparent from the air.

The Incas are a mysterious civilization, but one that was clearly dominant during its time. The Incas were based in modern day Peru. Although it was not a major city, Machu Picchu is the best known archeological remains of the Incas. It was discovered in 1911.

Machu Picchu, Peru

The Spanish defeated the Inca Empire in 1533, who remained in control for nearly 300 years. In 1821, Peru declared independence, but wasn’t able to defeat the Spanish until 1824. In fact, Peru was the last Spanish colony in South America.

Peru has seen periods of relative stability and near civil war since gaining its independence. In the late 20th century, conflicts with the Shining Path and Tupac Amaru rebel groups resulted in as many as 70,000 people being killed. Peru has moved beyond such conflicts and is experiencing a period of strong stability and economic growth. In a stunning development for patriarchal South America, Peru elected Beatriz Merino as the first female prime minister on the continent in 2003.

Peru is an interesting climatic country because it contains stunning mountains, flat plains and over 1,500 miles of beaches on the Pacific Ocean. Figuring out what to take is entirely dependent on the part of the country you will visit. Travel to Lake Titicaca, one of the highest lakes in the world, and you will need to dress for warmth. Visit the dry desert in the east of the country, and you will be dressing just the opposite.

Rio Madre de Dios, Amazon Basin, Eastern Peru

Modern Peru has a total population of 28 million people. Roman Catholic is the dominant language. The literacy rate is roughly 88 percent. After years of conflict, the country has suffered economically to the point that over 50 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. With stability returning, this situation is expected to improve.

Lake Titicaca in the Andes

Peru is one of the hottest travel destinations in South America. With the end of armed conflict, the chance to see Inca ruins should not be missed.

Article Source: http://www.articleset.com

About the Author

Richard Monk is with http://www.factsmonk.com - a site that has nothing to do with politics. » Read more articles by Richard Monk

Geography of China

In honor of 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing beginning today (8-8-08) I thought an overview of the geography of the People's Republic of China would be worthwhile. I'll begin with China's physical geography, and conclude with a discussion of China's human geography.

China is one of the largest countries in the world, stretching 3,100 miles (over 5,000 km) from the East China Sea and Yellow Sea in the east to Central Asia beyond the Plateau of Tibet in the west, and about 3,400 miles (5,500 km) from borders with Russia and Mongolia in the north to the South China Sea and borders with Vietnam, Laos, Burma, India, Bhutan, and Nepal in the south. The northern and western borders are in desert regions and the southwestern border is along the Himalayas, all of which form harsh natural barriers.

The topography of China may be pictured as an "erratically changing configuration of broad plains, expansive deserts, and lofty mountain ranges, including vast areas of inhospitable terrain. The eastern half of the country, its seacoast fringed with offshore islands, is a region of fertile lowlands, foothills and mountains, desert, steppes, and subtropical areas. The western half of China is a region of sunken basins, rolling plateaus, and towering massifs, including a portion of the highest tableland on earth."


The majority of China's population (and it is the most populous country in the world with more than 1.3 billion people - about one-sixth of the earth's population) live in eastern China. Eastern China is basically divided north-south by the Qinling mountains into two quite different regions. These mountains stretch east to west and separate the basins of the Huang He (Yellow River) in the north, and the Chiang Jiang (Yangtze River) in the south - two of the world's great river systems. The Chiang Jiang is the longest and most important river in China, beginning in the Tibet Plateau and flowing eastward across central China, finally emptying out into the East China Sea near Shanghai. Many large cities are located along this highly navigable river. And the famous Three Gorges, as well as the infamous Three Gorges Dam project, are located along the Chiang Jiang.

Northern China, west of Beijing and north of Tibet, is characterized by the vast Gobi Desert, one of the largest in the world.

Much of southwestern China is made up of the Plateau of Tibet, which averages 13,000 ft. in elevation. Tibet is bordered by the Himalaya Mountains to the South, and the Kunlun Shan, Tian Shan, and Altai mountains to the north and northwest.


South and Southeast China contain hilly and mountainous landscapes of karst topography. The beautiful scenery in Guangxi province near Guilin along the Li River is a product of karst topography.


In terms of climate, much of China is in the northern temperate zone. Colder climates abound in the north, while tropical climate is common in the south. Sub-arctic climate is characteristic of the extreme highlands in the Tibet Plateau and Himalayas. China is also affected by a seasonal monsoon. There is an alternating wet monsoon in the summer and a dry monsoon in winter. Summer monsoon winds bring warm and wet currents into South China and northward. The advance and retreat of the monsoons account in large degree for the timing of the rainy season and the amount of rainfall throughout the country. North China and southward are affected by the seasonal cold, dry winds from Siberia and the Mongolian Plateau between September/October and March/April.

China is divided into twenty-three provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities and two special administrative regions. The autonomous regions have traditionally been referred to as "Outer China" because they are located beyond the Great Wall of China.

China is one of the world's oldest, continuous civilizations, stretching across approximately 5,000 years of history. Han Chinese make up about 90 percent of China's population. The remaining 10 percent is made up of about 50 different ethnic groups speaking a variety of dialects with different cultural practices.

Shanghai is China's largest city, and sits at the mouth of the Chiang Jiang (Yangtze River) on the East China Sea. Large ships can navigate far up the Chiang Jiang to cities such as Nanjing, Wuhan, and Chongqing, all of which have populations of more than 8 million. The second most populous city in China is the capital, Beijing, which is situated in the northern area of the Huang He (Yellow River) plain. Guangzhou is another large and important city, the most famous port of south China, located on the Pearl River in the delta of the Xi River north of Hong Kong and Macau. The Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong (formerly British) and Macau (Formerly Portuguese) are of strategic economic importance. Hong Kong is a global financial and economic center and transportation hub. Other cities important as provincial capitals or centers of commerce and industry include: Harbin and Shenyang in the northeast, Chengdu in Sichuan province in central China, and Kunming in Yunnan province.

Despite large urban centers, rural life is still important in China. A large portion of China's population still live in small, rural farming villages throughout the countryside and work on the land. These villages are often only a few miles apart and are connected to each other by footpaths and cart tracks, and they are also usually centered around a market town where farmers can sell their produce. The most important food crops in China are rice and wheat.

Food is an import cultural marker in any culture, but is especially important in China. Chinese cuisine is famous throughout the world. Countless dishes in many styles of cooking using many ingredients are found in Chinese cuisine. Different regions of China are also famous for their own particular local flavors of Chinese cuisine.

Am extensive railway passenger network links most places in China with one another. Air travel is also an important mode of transportation domestically in China because of the country's vast size - just as it is in the United States.

See the following article for more detailed information on the Geography of China:
Geography of China

Stunning Photos Of China

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Fun Ways to Build Geographic Literacy and Knowledge "Hubpage"

Check out this "hub" about Fun Ways to Build Geographic Literacy and Knowledge and GeoManiaWorld, on hubpages.com:

• Fun Ways to Build Geographic Literacy and Knowledge

This site contains a variety of resources for geography fans, including various geography links, a live feed from the GeoManiaWorld blog, great geography stuff on Amazon.com, fun geography youtube.com videos, geography news posts from Yahoo news, a guestbook, and more.

Check it out!