Abstract The paper discusses the distinct cultural makeup of Athens and Sparta, introducing both cities as military and political rivals. It examines Sparta's ideological and social emphasis on militarism and Athens's focus on a sophisticated, democratic system of governance and trade.
From the Paper "Greek City-States
Athens & Sparta
Greek city-states were loosely aligned but fairly distinct in terms of cultural makeup. This was true in terms of military, political, economic and social structures. In ancient civilization, "Athens...was the most .."
Abstract This paper examines how, from the beginning of the 19th century, many states in the western United States have dealt with each other over arguments on the supply of fresh water. It looks at how, during the 1980s, trouble started pouring out because of droughts that occurred and changed the water situation for the three states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. It analyzes the impact and the consequences of the request by Alabama to to build a new reservoir on the Chattahoochee River, the Flint River, and the Coosa River and how it led to what is now known as as the tri-state water wars.
From the Paper "When the two other neighbors of Atlanta, Alabama and Florida gathered information of this proposal they realized that since they were situated downstream this would turnout to be a problem for them, as it would ultimately mean less water and also bad quality water. It was stated by Alabama, that considering that they were already situated downstream, the water that came to them already consisted of Atlanta's pollutants. Now by reducing the quantity of water, the pollutants would be even less diluted. This was supported by Florida, that if the more water were taken off from Chattahoochee and the Flint River then they have less water flow in to the Florida Apalachicola Bay and this would ultimately affect their oyster industry that contributed to nearly 70 million dollars of their economy."
Abstract Vancouver, British Columbia, is a location that is steeped in tradition and a rich history. This paper examines Vancouver within the larger context of western Canadian development. It presents a short history of Vancouver and discusses the changes that have taken place over time. In addition, the research focuses on the community's political history as a local register of reaction to outside or distant forces. The paper concludes by assessing regional geographic factors and reflecting upon the broad sweep of Vancouver's history over the decades.
From the Paper "The author also explains that the governor was instructed by the company to consult the local chiefs about the rights of the natives. (Tenant 1990) The company also asserted that the natives only had rights to land which they themselves had cultivated or had built houses upon. (Tenant 1990) The natives would also retain the right to hunt and fish. Furthermore, any land that was not being used was described as waste and subject to colonization. (Tenant 1990) The Company also asserted that if the natives wanted access to the wasted land they must properly register with the colony. (Tenant 1990)"
Tags: Oregon, Treaty, Hudson, Bay, company, Natives
Abstract This paper examines the importance of land in California, beginning with its division by the Mexican government before the area joined the Union, until the present day demand for land due to a growing population. The paper discusses problems relating to the land in California and other aspects, such as air pollution, water supplies, and the automobile industry.
From the Paper "There are simply too many people in California for the available water, and so water projects have grown up all over the state to meet the needs. The Central Valley Project helped turn the Central Valley into one of the most successful agricultural areas in the country, and the Feather River Project brought water to many parts of the state ? even as far south as San Diego County from as far north as Sacramento (Rolle 637-643). Clearly, relying on far-off water supplies can be dangerous. The water has to travel great distances, and it costs millions of dollars to construct the aqueducts to carry the water. All these costs are passed along to the consumer in higher water prices."
Abstract This paper looks at France, one of the leading Western industrial democracies with an economy and population similar to those of Great Britain and Italy. It discusses the history of the country, with an emphasis on the changing face of its politics over the years.
Outline
Introduction
History
Modern French Politics
Contemporary Political Issues
Conclusion
From the Paper "Around the year 800, most of Western Europe was united under the Frankish king Charlemagne. His kingdom was divided among his grandsons, and the western part became France. By medieval standards, however, France was vast and diverse, and forging it into a single country took centuries. Indeed, strong regional sentiments persist just below the surface in outlying areas such as Brittany and Provence."
Abstract This paper looks at the potentially disastrous effects of the Tungurahua Volcano on the village of Banos, which lies on the foothills of the mountain. The paper discusses the risks for the inhabitants and plans and solutions that could save the town.
From the Paper "As of date, it has been nearly four years since the first of eruptions from the Volcano began spewing out ashes and poisonous smoke in the October of 1999. The authorities were swift to take action, and evacuated the entire population of the town of Banos, as well as all the adjoining areas to various shelters and larger cities to considerable distance from the volcano. In addition, all the roads and highways leading to the town of Banos, and villages at the foothills of the erupting volcano were sealed off for the public. Yet, the residents of Banos and villages wish to return to their homes, and after a brief confrontation with the authorities, villagers as well as townspeople were allowed to move back to their farms and homes, even though the heightened state of yellow alert is still in effect. (Dytt, 1929; Simkin, 1994; Ecuador Travel.Net, 2003)"
This paper presents brief descriptions of three religions, Roman Catholic, Christian Scientist, and Buddhist, and the culture of three countries, Spain, Vietnam, and India.
Abstract This paper explains that the religion of Christian Science impacts the health care of religionists because Christian Scientists generally choose not to consult doctors, use medicine, and even refuse vaccines unless mandated by law. The author points out the extensive influence of the Spanish culture, with Roman Catholicism as the main religion that is prevalent in Spain and several other countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Columbia, Cuba, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Equatorial Guinea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The paper relates that the main religion practiced in India is Hinduism, though India has large population segments that follow the Christian and Islamic faiths. The most commonly followed traditions are those that are linked to popular Hindu festivals, such as Diwali or the festival of lights, which is celebrated every year to mark the anniversary of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya from exile.
Table of Contents
Religions
Roman Catholic
Christian Scientist
Buddhism
Cultures
Spain
Vietnam
India
From the Paper "The Roman Catholic religion believes in the Holy Trinity of a creator God the Father; Jesus Christ, His Son; and the Holy Spirit. Other beliefs that characterize the religion are the original sin; the forgiveness of sin; the second coming of the Lord; and life after death. Given its belief in sin, the religion offers the hope of salvation through its sacraments and baptism. Infant baptism is encouraged to erase the original sin and as a start to a spiritual life through the Church. In addition, the Roman Catholic Church holds that the mass is a continuation of the sacrifice made by Christ and thus teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation or that the bread and wine at communion actually become the body and blood of Christ. Generally, the religion has no dietary restrictions. However, it advocates abstaining from meat and meat products on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of the month of Lent."
Abstract Although Haitian culture is a unique mix that blends many other cultures to form its own, many of the roots of this cultural representation can be traced to African culture, especially West African. This paper shows that, because most of the inhabitants of Haiti are of African descent, African culture plays a key role in the culture of the island and manifests itself in many ways in a reflection of present and emerged patterns in Haitian cultural history. In family structures, gender, religion, and other areas of culture, it is clear that African culture has had a great deal of influence over Haitian culture before and since the existence of Haiti as an independent country.
From the Paper "According to tradition, the spirits of Vodou followed the slaves from Africa to the Caribbean, where Vodou was set up as an inseparable part of Haitian history and culture, and therefore African culture in its
relation to Haitian culture as a continuance and point of influence. Since Vodou was frowned upon by the French during their time ruling the island before the revolution, it had to take on some trappings of Catholicism as a way to disguise the religion. Thus, Vodou continues to have elements that would be familiar to students of Catholicism."
Abstract This paper discusses the reasons for the eutrophication of Chesapeake Bay, the consequences of that eutrophication, and possible solutions to the problem.
From the Paper "Located off the coast of Eastern Maryland and Eastern Virginia, Chesapeake Bay's length is 200 miles, and its width ranges from four to 40 miles. Many rivers and streams, including the James, York, Rappahannock, Potomac, Patuxent, and Susquehanna rivers, join the bay (Encarta, "Chesapeake Bay"). Home to more than 2700 species of plant and animal life, including oysters, the blue crab, and over 150 species of fish, the Bay has historically provided settlers and Native Americans with vital natural resources (Virginia Natural Resource Leadership Institute (VNRLI), 1). At its healthiest in the early 1600?s, the Bay rated an estimated100 on a scale of 100 in terms of health, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (Chesapeake Bay Foundation, ?2002 State of the Bay Report?, 1)."
Abstract This paper looks at the way that tourism has impacted life of the locals on Ibiza in Spain, which is one of the best-preserved medieval islands in Europe. It discusses both positive and negative affects of the tourism boom. The writer discusses how the Ibiza Ministry of Tourism, along with the locals and tourists, need to implement plans that will stop the damage being done to historical sites and adapt a policy that will enable the island to be enjoyed by everyone.
From the Paper "A new territorial model has been made that gives no importance to the traditional architecture of the island. After hotel complexes, there were apartment blocks to fill the growing demand thus having no clear integration. Thus, there was minimum planning and development. Although there have been some positive impacts, the negative effects outweigh them. Mass tourism has shown a least regard for local resources, due to its intensity in area and time, its attitude of having minimal cost of accommodation and services, and the tourists who are naturally attracted by this low cost. Environment sustainability and the economy of the island are affected. Over exploitation of natural resources has been done, both human and physical and there has been a sort of cultural degradation in the air. (Tourism and Environment on the Island of Ibiza)"
Abstract This paper examines how the process that has come to be known as globalisation, i.e., the progressively greater influence being exerted by worldwide economic, social and cultural processes over national ones is clearly leaving its mark on the world of today. It looks at how it is not a new process, how its historical roots run deep and how the dramatic changes in terms of space and time being brought about by the communications and information revolution represents a qualitative break with the past.
From the Paper "The sociologist Anthony Giddens, defines globalisation as a decoupling of space and time, emphasising that with instantaneous communications, knowledge and culture can be shared around the world simultaneously (www.globalisationguide.org), while a Dutch academic who maintains a good website on globalisation (http://globalisation.kub.nl/RuudLubbers), defines it as a process in which geographic distance becomes a factor of diminishing importance in the establishment and maintenance of cross-border economic, political and socio-cultural relations. Left critics of globalisation define the word quite differently, presenting it as worldwide drive toward a globalised economic system, dominated by supranational corporate trade and banking institutions that are not accountable to democratic processes or national governments."
Abstract This paper explores the reasons for Ireland's flourishing economy and why it has been able to turn its once floundering economy into a prosperous and successful one. The paper describes the geographic, political, and cultural aspects that have contributed to this success and looks at the factors that make the country attractive to large, foreign, high-tech industries. Finally, the paper assesses Ireland's present and future economic outlook and concludes that, while Ireland is experiencing some of the pains of rapid and global growth, it remains an outstanding location for business investment.
From the Paper "Ireland as often been called the Celtic Tiger over the past decade, and indeed, its economic growth has brought it, in record time, from a third-world status to the most global nation in the world, according to recent reports. It has done this by applying energy and creativity to enticing foreign investment to form a vibrant industrial base. Moreover, it has attracted relatively clean industries, high-tech primarily, which have also put it in an excellent position to begin its current initiative in attracting world-class scientists to work and make available their discoveries for development in Ireland. In addition to the hospitable business climate, the geography and climate of the nation are also attractive. In addition, it has relatively few of the problems associated with industrial societies, although it is beginning to see some negative effects, in addition to the numerous positive ones, from its full entry into the European Union."
Abstract This paper explains that Japan's global economy, which is a highly industrialized society, is an excellent example of a country that has little geographic area to exploit, and so it must remain economically viable by other means. The author points out that the major manufacturing regions in Japan are mainly congregated along the coast and in the largest cities, such as Tokyo and Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, and Nagoya. Some of the major industries in Japan include machinery production, automobiles, ships, steel, and high-technology, including electrical goods and electronic appliances. The paper relates that Japanese resources, like the land itself, are less prevalent than in many larger nations; therefore, they are dependent on other nations for many of their non-renewable resources, such as oil. However, they do produce coal, crude oil, and natural gas.
From the Paper "Japan's agricultural industries are not as prevalent as many others in the world, but what they do have they utilize quite effectively. The Japanese import large amounts of wheat, sorghum, and soybeans, but they grow enough rice to feed their people with a small surplus, and they are beginning to export specialty agricultural items such as Kobe beef. Other agricultural industries in the country include fishing and poultry production. Rice is so important to the Japanese that in ancient times, it was used as money, and it still plays an important part in their culture and everyday lives. Because of this, rice is their biggest agricultural product, but fishing is also important, with significant amounts of salmon, tuna, and various other fish and shellfish harvested and used nationally or exported. They also fish many fresh-water areas throughout the island, making the most of the resources they have and can access."
Abstract This paper explains that there are substantial cultural, political, and economic "differences" between France and the US, which neither France nor America nor the European Union necessarily wants to exist in their current form as the current century of economic globalization unfolds. The author points out that, despite the explicit borrowing of its democracy from the words of freedom of the relatively young land of America, France, until recently, largely was known for her centralizing tradition in governance. The paper relates that, even in comparison to its sister European states such as Germany or Italy, which also have attempted to tread a middle line between socialism and capitalism since the end of the Second World War, France still has a highly complex and famously bureaucratic civil service system. The paper states that, because of the creation of the European Union resulting in France's adoption of the euro and eschewing of the franc and the standardization of business procedures, particularly in agriculture, France has been forced to change with the changing political and economic times, thus limiting its formerly strong protectionist position.
From the Paper "Localities served the national state, rather than vice versa. There are three officially equal structural tiers present in the current French government, according to the national constitution. But while the State does not finance activities outside its own remit, it requires local authorities to help fund some central government projects. The "the task of the pr"fet,? the representative of the State at local districts of government ?is consequently rendered more complicated because he finds himself forced to ask for funding for State-run projects,? particularly when the state and local parties are different, ideologically and in name."
Tags: bureaucratic, centralized, prefet, protectionist, eu
Abstract This paper on April 18, 1906, San Francisco, California was hit by one of the most devastating earthquakes recognized by man, affecting 430 kilometers of the famous San Andreas fault ranging from northwest of San Juan Bautista to Cape Mendocino, reducing the city into a pile of rubble. The author points out that casualties from the earthquake were severe, with almost 500 deaths in San Francisco and 166 deaths reported in surrounding areas; people wandered about in a state of devastation, shock, helplessness, and sorrow, and thousands were evacuated by the Navy from the city in what was one of the largest evacuations in history. The paper reports that seismology has led to predictions about earthquakes in other areas in the U.S., including Boston and other regions of the East Coast and middle America.
Table of Contents
Geology of the Earthquake
The Human Toll and Economy
Rebuilding a Great City
From the Paper "The total length of the earthquake was felt for about 290 miles, the largest ever recorded. The magnitude of the earthquake was estimated between 7.7 and 7.9. Because seismology and the study of earthquakes were limited during the early 1900s, an accurate assessment of the magnitude is not possible. There are some accounts that suggest that the earthquake was as great as 8.3, but these are largely unproven. Before this earthquake, little scientific effort was dedicated to seismic research. After the earthquake however scientists took an active interest in the area of seismography and government issued investigations into earthquakes became quite commonplace."
