Abstract A look at the discovery of Panama and the beginnings of Panama City. The paper discusses how the city was strategically placed and how, with the canal, it has developed into an important metropolitan city of South America. History of the city since the 1500's is surveyed. The paper deals with the series of foreign rulers and explorers who controlled the city.
From the Paper "In 1501, Spanish explorer Rodrigo de Bastidas discovered Panama in South America, which soon became a major point of dispersal for Spanish conquest and settlement in the New World (Preston 47). But of much greater value to the colonizers at the time was the City of Panama, then the capital of Castilla del Oro (later renamed into the Isthmus of Panama), and discovered in 1519 by Pedro Arias de Avila. The Isthmus served as a passage of advantage to Spanish ships between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and between continents (Preston 46) in their sea exploration and conquest activities. Panama City's importance derived exclusively from its control of that passage or route (Blouet 726) ? from the City, expeditions set out for the conquest of the Pacific side of Central America up to Nicaragua and that of the entire South American west coast up to Chile (Blouet 729)."
Abstract This paper examines the town of Venice and how it was built on ground made artificially through land reclamation and land formation over fifteen hundred years ago. The writer explores the environmental maladies it has suffered such as flooding and pollution. It shows how these problems are being dealt with today in a variety of ways.
From the Paper "Most books about Venice, Italy open with a paragraph describing the mysterious iridescence of the lagoon. Its pale blue, green and gray mirage-like appearance makes it clear why La Serenissima is Venice's second name. Next comes a mention of how the earliest settlers built up the small islands and sandbars to substantial islands fit to build on. Then the book will jump into its true topic, a history of war, government, art, or architecture. Yet the fact remains that only one book has been written in English which is expressly devoted to the environmental history of Venice and the lagoon around it. For a city founded through environmental management, whose landscape is defined by human existence, this lack of literature is appalling."
Abstract The following paper examines Panama's impacting prospects for improving her economy. It looks at the way in which she can achieve or maintain democratic reform initiatives in the new century. This paper also includes historical facts and the unfolding of events as well as regional and global environmental factors which help provide a qualitative analysis to support the central thesis that forward movement can be sustained.
From the Paper ?Panama was part of the Spanish empire for 300 years (1538-1821), and its history and current economic and political conditions are rooted in that experience. Panamanian identity has also always been based on a sense of "geographic destiny" and Panamanian fortunes fluctuated with the changing geopolitical importance of the isthmus. The colonial experience also marked Panamanian nationalism causing its politics to be characterized by strongly anti-imperialist themes and sentiment and its society to become racially complex and highly stratified. These factors became the source of internal conflicts that ran counter to the unifying force of Panamanian nationalism. Upon its independence from Spain, Panama briefly joined with Columbia; however, when Columbia refused to allow plans for the United States to build a canal across the isthmus, Panama, with U.S. support, declared itself sovereign in 1903. Immediately, it signed a treaty with the U.S., allowing for the construction of the Panama Canal, which was completed in 1914. The U.S. saw the canal zone as theirs, while the Panamanians claimed actual ownership, causing tensions for decades.?
A discussion on the different types of emeralds, vis-a-vis its chemicals, texture, temperature conditions and significance in society since ancient times.
792 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 28.95
Abstract This paper traces the history of emeralds from ancient Egypt, to 18th century to today's mining areas in Columbia, Zimbabwe, Zambia. It discusses the different types of emeralds, the treatments for the stone, colors, textures, healing attributes and gemstones.
From the Paper "To the ancient Egyptians, the emerald's green color stood for fertility and rebirth. The gemstone was used to treat eye diseases. The Greeks worked the Egyptian mines during the time of Alexander the Great and throughout the Ptolemaic Dynasty. ?The Greeks regarded the emerald as the sacred stone of the goddess Venus and of the Earth Goddess.? (Emeralds!) "
Abstract The following paper discusses one of the many historical attractions in Wilmington, the famous Airlie Gardens. Designed at the beginning of the 1900?s, it encompasses some sixty-seven acres of post-Victorian European style gardens, including ten acres of freshwater lakes. This paper also focuses on the life and works of Minnie Evans, who worked as a gatekeeper in the Airlie Gardens, from 1948 to 1974, painting the scenery in the gardens whenever she had a break. This paper discusses the way in which her drawings of the Airlie Gardens helped her start her career as a well-acclaimed artist.
From the Paper ?A descendent of slaves from Trinidad, Minnie was born in a log cabin in Long Creek, North Carolina on December 1, 1892. She and her mother moved to Wilmington in 1893, and there Minnie was raised by her grandmother. She completed the fifth grade, and then went to work as a sounder, selling oysters and clams door-to-door. Minnie always saw a world invisible to everyone else and throughout her life, even her childhood, her night dreams were filled with visions, and her days filled with sights and voices only she experienced.?
Abstract The paper shows that though it is impossible to determine why exactly Indonesia, at least for the past two generations, has seemingly laid an irresistible spell on the anthropological world, it is possible to suggest some of the reasons. This paper examines the corner of the state of anthropological practice and theory as they pertain to Indonesia and how these have created intimate links between symbolic anthropology and Indonesian ethnography. The paper discusses how many fine ethnographies have been produced as a direct result of anthropologists? theoretical and paradigmatic interest in Indonesia, of the fact both that anthropological discourse can be seen as a subset of human imaginings and as a result of the fact that some places seem to be better to dream in. The paper examines Tania Murray Li's article "Compromising Power: Development, Culture and Rule in Indonesia" in Volume 13, No. 3 of Cultural Anthropology, on the subject.
From the Paper "Indonesia ? with its own contentious colonial history ? was an ideal setting if one wished to make sense of the role and evolution of cultures in a world in which colonial structures were falling away. Indonesia had at least three other additional inducements for at least American and British anthropologists: Their own countries had not been involved in the colonization of Indonesia so they did not have to feel any guilt over what they found; unlike many "primitive" cultures, Indonesia societies (for of course this island nation is home to a number of very different cultural groups) are home to not only sophisticated performing and visual arts but also nuanced and complex literary traditions and a history of beautifully proportioned and ingeniously constructed architecture."
Abstract The paper discusses the importance of teaching geography to students - a subject which provides the tools for students to read a map, understand international news reports, follow economic trends and weather reports. The paper shows that without this knowledge, Americans would have little understanding of the world beyond their borders and remain isolationist in nature.
From the Paper "Geography helps us understand why some countries are important to us even when we are not the best of friends. For example: China is the largest country in the Far East. We are not that friendly with them, but we tolerate each other. If we didn't have a mutually helpful trade agreement, relations might be even more strained. The Chinese understand this and even have a saying for it. "W"nh"a sh? m"i yu guj"e de," which means, "Culture has no national borders." According to a paper written by Clarissa Smith, "In the age of mass media and instant communication, this must be more true than ever, even in a highly controlled society.? "
Abstract This research paper/ country report is about the economy of the Republic of Korea. The report includes sections on general overview of the country's economy, trade overview, finance overview, investment overview, current main issues and policy recommendations and a conclusion.
From the Paper "The extent of South Korea's rapid progress can be gauged from the fact that in just 3 decades its per capita GDP has risen from among the lowest in the world to 7 times India?s, 16 times North Korea's and is now comparable to some of the lesser economies of the European Union. Its per capita GDP is $ 16,100 (2000 est.) while its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at $ 764.6 billion in 2000 (est.)."
Abstract The writer of this paper provides a brief history of the founding of South Korea and examines the country's current economic status. A table of vital economic statistics is included. The paper looks at what factors have effected the development of South Korea's economy and what the predictions are for the coming years.
From the Paper "A republic was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, after World War II, while at the same time a communist-style government was established in the north. The Korean War (1950-53) had Untied States and other United Nation forces interfered to defend South Korea from North Korean attacks was supported by the Chinese. In 1953, a peace agreement was signed at about the 38th parallel, dividing the peninsula along a demilitarized zone. South Korea, then after that attained rapid economic growth, with per capita income raised to thirteen times the level of North Korea. Furthermore, the nation suffered a severe financial crisis in 1997, from which it continued to make a firm revival and maintained its commitment to democratize its political processes. Thus, a historic first south-north summit, in June 2000, took place between the president south KIM Dae-jung and the north's head KIM Chong-i."
Tags: KIM, Dae-jung, KIM, Chong, china, gdp, inflation, rates, export, trade, tariff, barriers, import
Abstract This paper examines President Ronald Reagan's foreign policy and how he began a program of destabilization in Nicaragua, serving the 'Contra' guerrilla forces in Honduras and Costa Rica and mounting an economic boycott. The history of Nicaragua is presented and how this ongoing foreign policy of destabilization is taking its toll on the country economically, socially and politically.
From the Paper "From the 16th century, Nicaragua was ruled by Spain. On 15 September 1821, the country became independent from Spain. US troops were call into the country in 1912, but remove in 1933, following a six-year guerrilla struggle to evict them, led by Augusto C"sar Sandino. The role of the US forces was taken up by the National Guard, led by General Anastasio Somoza Garcia, who detained power in 1935 and whose family ruled Nicaragua in an increasingly brutal, despotic and corrupt manner until 1979. After a 17-year guerrilla war, the last Somoza was defeat by the Frente Sandinista de Liberaci"n Nacional (FSLN). The 'Sandinistas' established a Junta of National Reconstruction, and began a program of agrarian reform, nationalization of industry, and massive health and literacy schemes."
Abstract This paper gives a history of the invention of longitude measurement through the review of a book and a program: Dava Sobel's book "Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time" and the NOVA program "Lost at Sea: The Search for Longitude" . It examines why it was that longitude was so difficult to measure to begin with and the different theories put forward it the time of how it could be measured.
From the Paper "Other inventors believed that more accurate stellar and lunar charts were the key to accurately measuring longitude. Sobel's book is in some ways the recounting of the contest not just amongst different individuals desirous of the acclaim and wealth that would accrue to the winner of the prize for discovering how to measure longitude but also a recounting of the struggle between two different ways of thinking. Both Sobel in her book and the contributors to the NOVA program (which of course includes comments by Sobel) suggest that Harrison was victorious not only because he was both smart and incredibly persistent but also because he was the most forward-thinking of those seeking to understand the technical problem of longitude. Those trying to come up with ever-more accurate stellar and lunar charts were in many ways clinging to the past: They were trying to fine-tune the ancient technology of navigating by the skies. Harrison, on the other hand, understood that any given technology can only be improved to a certain extent, and beyond that one has to develop an entirely new technology. This is what he set out to do."
Abstract This paper provides statistics which define the problem of poverty in Nashville. The paper shows how the government of Nashville has been trying to put a quantitative gauge on economic deprivation and so determining who is eligible for social assistance. This paper provides background information on poverty in Nashville and looks at factors such as food, daycare and medical care which are controlled to attempt to assist those in need. The paper also discusses the factors which effected poverty in the 1990's and the effects of welfare reform on poverty. It then compares the state of poverty in Memphis to that of Nashville.
From the Paper "Who is poor in America? The federal administration answered that question, beginning in the late 1960s, with a yearly poverty count. Now imprinted each September, politicians and pundits alike await the government's numbers. The figure of the September statistics and the interpretive stories accompanying their release often influences the election discussion in November.
The Government of Nashville has been trying to put a quantitative gauge on economic deprivation, ever since Lyndon Johnson's ?War on Poverty,? even though most people recognize that poverty measurement is subjective and not entirely scientific. The administration poverty line is used to conclude eligibility in Medicaid, food stamps, cash welfare and numerous other means-tested support programs (8). The poverty counts are used to measure the efficiency of government anti-poverty programs and the economic well being of at-risk groups of families and individuals. In proposals to set minimum wages or living wage mandates, poverty income thresholds are being used increasingly."
Abstract This paper introduces and discusses the creation of Las Vegas. Specifically, it looks at how Bugsy Segal, Meyer Lansky and the Teamsters Union figured in the development of Las Vegas, and how the city has prospered and changed since it was first created.
From the Paper "Before there was Bugsy Siegel, the underworld, the Strip, and the bright lights, there were the Mormons. The first Mormon party set out to colonize lands in 1855. They arrived at an area known as "Las Vegas Spring" in mid-June. They began to build a permanent settlement, but in 1857, Brigham Young called them back to Salt Lake City. An O.D. Gass, acquired the area, and created the Las Vegas Ranch. Thus, Las Vegas was born. Politically and economically, Las Vegas added almost nothing to Nevada's coffers until the beginning of the twentieth century. Northern Nevada developed first, and this was where the state capital and most of the population lived. (Elliott). The mob would change all that."
Abstract This paper examines the social and environmental aspects of the historical growth of the American suburb. It describes the great success of the first suburb, Llewellyn Park in West Orange, New Jersey. The paper illustrates that the materialist suburbs were originally intended for nature loving people.
From the Paper "?Build therefore, your own world,? (Emerson, 46). It is as if these words, written by Emerson in his 1836 publication of "Nature" were written in specific reference to the creation of Llewellyn Park in West Orange, New Jersey. The park, the first American garden suburb, was built on the principles of just that, creating a new reality in the already existing hustle and bustle of the real world. This park, in its essence, was the beginning of the erection of "suburbia" in that it had a snowballing effect which started people moving from the reality of the cities to a more quiet enclave of suburban life. Following in the steps of Llewellyn Park, suburbs began popping up all over the nation in an attempt to recreate a habitat within the serene wilderness in the fad and preoccupation of the time to return to nature."
Tags: llewellyn, park, urban, planning, nature, utopian, style, materialism, new, jersey
Abstract This paper compares critically the political cultures of Sweden and the United States, illuminating theories of politics such as Conservatism, Liberalism, Social Democracy among other doctrines in modern times. Arguments are used about definitions of culture, the difficulty in defining culture, political life, emotions, perception and indeed political action as well as the complex character of decision-making within the state. Some case studies by authors are examined to highlight the application of some theories such as Ethnomethodology, Postmodernism and Symbolic Interactionism.
From the Paper "Donald Hancock , et al, (1998) stated that the political culture in Sweden went through a process of change during the nineteenth and twentieth Centuries and that this process of system change is both cause and effect of a political culture that affirms traditional values and simultaneously endorses efforts at political creativity. Hancock, et al, noted that linking these attributes is a willingness among political actors to seek compromise solutions to partisan disagreements. They continue to state that the most important traditional element inherent in Swedish political culture is a deeply ingrained respect for constitutionalism and law."
