Abstract This paper examines immigration in California. Immigration has changed the ethnic profile of the state tremendously in the last twenty years. This paper outlines the opposing positions on the issues and concludes with policy recommendations.
Abstract Certain theories commonly attribute the formation of the Grand Canyon to the process of erosion by the Colorado River, but disagree with regard to the period and the actual process. Geologists continue to debate on it, but continuous changes around the Grand Canyon pose problems for them to reach a consensus.
Abstract This study provides a geographical description of the Tungurahua Volcano of Ecuador and describes the nature of its volcanic activity. The paper also explores the risks to inhabitants living in close proximity to the volcano and some of the measures taken to protect them. The paper concludes by examining what is being done to assist those affected by the volcano and probable solutions to the threat it poses.
From the Paper "The Tungurahua volcano is categorized as a strato-volcano reaching a height of 5016 meters. With a nickname of "The Black Giant", the mountain has a 600 feet wide crater, with most of the mountain covered in snow. Its geographical status shows that it lies some 25 kilometers east of Ambato, Ecuador's 4th largest city. The slopes of the Tungurahua volcano are primarily used for the local agriculture sector and a number of small villages including a town called Banos which cradles the mountain from both the western and northern sides."
Tags: eruptions, explosions, lava, flows, hazard, ashes, rock, strombolian, magma
Abstract This paper provides a brief introduction to the HIV/AIDS increase in the African region and, together with comparative statistics, it provides an overview of the socioeconomic impact of HIV/AIDS on women and children who are orphaned. Following the overview, the impact of the vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS virus from mother to child is discussed, as well as an analysis of how an orphaned child suffers after his/her parent(s) have succumbed to the deadly disease. It concludes with a look at the initiatives taken up by the government, NGOs, or communities to help these orphans.
Outline
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Outline
Overview
The Impact of HIV/AIDS on Orphaned Children
Government, NGOs', Communities' Initiatives for Orphaned Children
Conclusion
From the Paper "While, UNAIDS has estimated that approximately six million HIV/AIDS infections occur each year, most of them in South Africa. Among which ten percent of these occur in children, due to mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) of HIV. This is the tangible indication of the epidemic's impact on South African and other sub-Saharan African countries with the increase number of "AIDS orphans" who have lost and still losing both parents to the disease (UN Integrated Regional Information Networks). Thus, due to the vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS from the mother to child, one third of Africa's children would be orphan and which already has orphaned around 1.2 million children in South Africa (Terreblanche. 2001). This growing number of AIDS orphans and the phenomenon of bringing up orphaned children have raised the need for urgent responses, involvement and research. In 1999, Rose Smart therefore, conducted a prompt evaluation of children suffering from HIV/AIDS in South Africa, under the aegis of Save the Children."
Tags: epidemic, ngo, government, poverty, care, treatment
Abstract This paper examines the history of Hong Kong through the modern era and its place among the economic powerhouses of the world. Its focus is placed primarily on trade export and labor statistics, along with the new governmental reforms imposed after the nation's return to Chinese rule. It looks at how the the overall outlook for the economy of Hong Kong, China, looks good and how, of all the Asian economies, its is by far the most resilient.
From the Paper "Hong Kong was established as a separate territorial unit in 1842, as part of settlement between Britain and China following the First Opium War (1841-42). The original reason for the occupation of Hong Kong was the need for a base for trade with China. Under the Treaty of Nanjing (1842), China ceded the Hong Kong Island to Britain ?in perpetuity,? opened up its ports to foreign trade, and conceded the right of extraterritoriality to British consuls. In 1860, following the Second Opium War (1858-60), China ceded the Kowloon peninsula to Britain. Finally, following the Japan-China war of 1894-95, Britain demanded the lease of the area north of Kowloon in order to secure control of the northern shore of the harbor and a wide area of land beyond for defense purposes. China leased this territory to Britain for 99 years under the Convention of Peking beginning July 1, 1898 (Dodsworth/Mihajek, 1997)."
Abstract This paper begins with a brief history of the country of Tibet, including its population statistics, geography, and political strife. The paper then explores the current situation faced by Tibetan people, including their culture, society, laws, and religion.
Contents
Tibetan People
Present day Tibet and Tibetans
How Tibetan People Identify Themselves?
Tibetan Ceremonies and Rituals
Conclusion
From the Paper "Tibet is an area of about 2.5 million square kilometers lying at the center of Asia with an average altitude of 13,000 feet above sea level. It is not a separate country as it was annexed by China in 1949-50 after the Communist Revolution. Tibetan people, with a distinct culture and language have lived in the region and the surrounding areas for over a thousand years. Despite the attempt of the Chinese to suppress and obliterate the separate identity of their identity since they occupied the region, Tibetans have struggled to maintain their identity under the spiritual leadership of Dalai Lama who lives in exile in India since 1959."
This paper discusses the effects of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) sentencing two Rwandan journalists to life imprisonment for their role in fanning the flames of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Abstract This paper explains that the ICTR decision comes almost a decade after the genocide in Rwanda, which began in April 1994 and continued for over 100 days; during this period, members of the Rwandan Hutu majority slaughtered over 800,000 members of the minority Tutsi tribe, mostly using machetes. The author points out that, though the trials are not over, the decisions are having an important impact on the future of Rwanda, such as the new Constitution, which prevents both the Hutus and the Tutsis from dominating the legislature or the cabinet. The paper stresses that one of the biggest challenges remaining is in the health service sector, in general, and among Rwanda's rising AIDS population, in particular.
From the Paper "Economic analysts like Ford (2003) thus suggest that rather than trying to recapture the markets it lost in crops such as bananas, beans and sorghum, Rwanda could instead concentrate on trying to revive its coffee trade. This suggestion holds much merit, considering how the Rwandan landscape is covered with coffee plantations, much of the population lives in rural areas and the current boom in specialty and fair trade coffees. It is unrealistic to expect Rwanda to have any active tourism trade in the near future. Instead, Rwanda could capitalize on the coffee trade and should take care to diversify its export crops. Thus, after the coffee crops are underway, Ford (2003) suggests plantations could also cultivate tobacco and the government could look into developing Rwanda's mining industry."
This paper investigates major issues relating to tourism development strategy in the UAE, especially Dubai, which is the best-known and the fastest-growing tourist area in the Middle East.
Abstract This paper explains that the UAE is endowed with an extensive coastline fringed by white sandy beaches and a varied landscape suitable for a wide variety of activities from powerboat races to sand skiing to golf . The author suggests that, to draw more tourists to stay longer, increase spending, and make repeat visits, efforts need to be intensified to represent Dubai and UAE as exotic places with year-round events filled with a carnival atmosphere. This requires a well-planned and widely publicized tourism calendar throughout the year and well in advance. The paper stresses that tourism must be placed high on the national agenda and be given the same status as expor-oriented and infrastructure industry.
Table of Content
Background to Research Study
An Overview
Research Area of Study
Recent Development
Research Aim and Objectives + Research Questions
Research Aim
Layout of the Dissertation
Tourism Planning and Development
The History of Tourism Planning and Development in the Gulf Region
Sustainability and Tourism Development in the Middle East
Tourism as National Income Provider in Gulf States
Case Study Dubai, UAE and Middle East
History of Dubai and UAE as Tourist Destinations
Changes in Tourism Development in Dubai, UAE and Middle East
Reason for the Increase In Tourism Development of Dubai
Winning Combination
Quality of the Infrastructure
Increase in the number of Visitors
Better Partnership between Public And Private Sectors
Government Policy
Growth in Service Sectors
Germany as a Market
Expansion of Parking Bays at the Airports
Dubailand
Growth in the Non-Oil GDP
Oil Contribution
The Importance of Tourism for Dubai as a Secondary Source of Income
Obstacles to Future Tourism Development in Dubai and UAE
Changing Outlook
Transportation Network
Renovation of Tourism Product
Other Measures
From the Paper "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation, consisting of seven tribally based emirates that lead the southeastern portion of the Arabian Peninsula south of Bahrain and Qatar. The federation covers 83,600 square kilometers and geographically it is enclosed on the north by the Persian Gulf and Iran, on the east by Oman, and on the south and west by Saudi Arabia. Its geographical locations separate Oman from its territory on the Musandam peninsula and extend 90 kilometers along the Gulf of Oman, an area known as the al-Batinah coast. The curse of the nature in the form of arid desert and salt flats are visible everywhere. However, Arabs are not a frustrated lot due to arid climates and blessed in the form of oil reserves by the Mother Nature. They are blessed with mountains in the northeast that rise to 1,200 meters. Due to low rainfall, there are few fertile areas except in the north and among the oases."
Abstract This paper explains that United States and Colombia share a hemisphere, a legacy of European colonization, rough equivalents in terms of life expectancy and literacy, and both appear to be waging two wars at the same time; however, the comparison largely ends there. The author points out that Colombia is treading a very thin line as it seeks to balance the need to continue to pursue its aggressive economic reforms while prosecuting untenable wars against the drug traffickers and insurgents who continue to represent a major threat to the political stability of the nation. The paper stresses that, if stabilized, Colombia could become one of the leading industrialized nations of the world, based on its hard-working and highly literate population.
Table of Content
Introduction
Review and Analysis
Table 1. Comparison of Colombia and United States
Conclusion
From the Paper "Today, Colombia still strongly reflects its legacy as a colony of Spain, and is frequently referred to as the most Roman Catholic of the South American countries; the majority of the Colombian people are proud of the relative purity of their Spanish language. The country's population is heavily mestizo, a term which describes those of European and Indian descent; there are also significant minorities of European and African ancestry. The country's economy is traditionally agricultural based, especially its world-famous coffee as well as fruit production; however, industries and services are assuming increasing importance. Colombia has the most population of any of the Spanish-speaking nations in South America; more than one-third of its inhabitants live in the six biggest metropolitan areas, of which Bogot? is the largest. Despite the advantages of climate and an abundance of natural resources, Colombia's political instability has been historically linked with the inequitable distribution of wealth, and the illicit trade in drugs (primarily cocaine) continues to represent a major challenges to the stability of life in Colombian life."
Abstract This paper reports that, in 2004, New York City set a record when the number of homeless New Yorkers residing in shelters reached the highest point in the city's history. The author points out that 90 percent of homeless New Yorkers are black or Latino, even though only 53 percent of New York City's total population is black or Latino; moreover, over 60 percent of homeless families previously lived in four of New York City's poorest neighborhoods, and over half of the homeless mothers have a history of domestic violence. This paper concludes that it will take years of dedication and focus for New York City to ease the problem of homelessness by creating not only adequate permanent housing for the homeless, which actually will cost less than the present shelter and other emergency care programs, but also available services for those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse.
From the Paper "According to the Coalition for the Homeless, in the month of August 2004, some 36,400 homeless men, women, and children were sleeping each night in the New York City shelter system, including 15,300 children, 12,700 adult family members, and 8,400 single adults, with many thousands more sleeping on city streets, park benches, and subway trains. New York City's homeless shelter population has increased by 73 percent since 1998, from 21,000 to the current 36,400. The past six years has seen the number of homeless families sleeping in New York City shelters and welfare hotels increase by 99 percent, from 4,429 families in January 1998 to 8,726 families in August 2004. Moreover, the average stay for homeless families in the municipal shelter system has almost doubled over the past decade, from six months in 1992, to nearly twelve months today."
Abstract This paper explains that financing trade with Ethiopia would be a risky business venture but could also be very rewarding if the right trade resources are put in place to reduce the associated risks. The author points out that the credit restrictions are so significant they prevent many entrepreneurs the opportunity of trading with the country: The risk verse the cost is simply unaffordable for many. The paper relates that the labor costs of doing business in Ethiopia would be very affordable due to the poverty levels in the country; however, the cost of shipping the goods or materials needed in the process could offset the savings on labor.
From the Paper "The question remains, what is it that would persuade or deter me from financing trade with Ethiopia? The first issue that comes to mind is the financial security associated to trading with a country that has not made any forward advancement in the wake of the viable trade market. Predominantly, the entire continent has not proven any gain or improvements when it comes to implementing a sound financial system that would support a good foreign trade program. The instability of the banking institutions allow very limited financing terms and amounts that are offered to investors that seek trade with Ethiopia."
This paper discusses Erving Goffman's "The Presentation of the Gendered Self in Everyday Life" and Pierre Bourdieu's "'Habitus' Social Class and Everyday Life" and relates them to class and gender in multicultural Australia.
Abstract This paper explains that Goffman's "The Presentation of the Gendered Self in Everyday Life" sets up a model of human interaction, which takes most of its metaphors from the realm of theatrical performance. The author points out that, as a Muslim woman, taking into account Goffman's framework, the 'front' of her performance in everyday life is wearing the veil, which lie beneath significant connotation and hence presenting herself on stage by her appearance and manner. The paper relates that Bourdieu argues that physical capital (in the form of body shape, walk and posture) is socially produced through activities such as sport, food, and etiquette.
From the Paper "Goffman in his framework uses a metaphor (a drama) to explain how social meaning is attributed to a person in ordinary, everyday interaction. We see how the persona, on and off a stage and with various audiences, is manifested through performance and roles. Through the drama, actors give meaning to themselves, to others and their situation. Interactions, which are seen to be performances before observers, deliver impressions to others according to the actor's goals. Information is exchanged to confirm identity and the significance of behavior."
Abstract This report deals with how the gaming and entertainment industry affects Las Vegas in terms of structure. The report looks at issues of urban structure, consumption, culture, and economy to look at the ways in which this city operates and has operated in the past, in terms of changes that have been taking place in Las Vegas, the role of the worker, the target of tourism, and other attendant issues. The report
also explores the relationship between consumption and cities in post-war and contemporary America, because these are the two main epochs of the growth of Las Vegas' structure via the gaming and entertainment industry.
From the Paper "Aside from showing how this industry contributes to Las Vegas' structure, this report will also look at elements of the commodity city and the landscape as it is organized around consumer desires, particularly in terms of the recent Wynn developments in the city being commodity spectacles. The report will also look at Las Vegas as a place of consumption, focusing on economic factors which again link the
gaming and entertainment industry to Las Vegas as a city in terms of its essential structure. "
This paper discusses the history, from the period of the Gold Rush to the present, and problems faced by immigrants, seeking the California Golden Dream.
Abstract This paper explains that, for many years, people considered California to be the ideal home because there were many opportunities for them to improve their living; therefore, since the Gold Rush era, many immigrants have come to California with the dream of making a fortune but they have had a difficult time achieving the California Golden Dream. The author discusses problems of competition for jobs, a high cost of living and assimilation into American culture in the Gold Rush era and today. The paper concludes that, today, people may pay more attention to their freedoms than they did in the Gold Rush era, but the basic problems still remain the same; nonetheless, California is still an ideal home for the immigrants.
From the Paper "In the Gold Rush era, because people came from different countries, they arranged to live together in the camp based on their ethnicity. That prevented cross-culture communications, which may have helped them get along with each other. On the other hand, in today's California, immigrants still do not have too many chances to interact with the outside world, because they still tend to get along with people of the same culture. Chinatown, Japan town, and Russia town...such kinds of places get favors from the immigrants. Once they arrive, most of them prefer to live in those places and build a life inside the towns. My parents are members of such a group of people. They live in China own and work in Chinatown. And also they are afraid to talk with people from other cultures, especially the English speakers. Therefore, they lost the connection with mainstream society and may have missed chances to make their dreams come true."
Abstract This paper explains that one of the greatest factors, involved in the changes or manipulations of an environment, lies in the geographic distribution religion and the way each specific religion spreads and interacts with the surrounding divergent cultures and religions. The author points out that the famous Chinese characters Yin and Yang signify both the shadowy and sunny sides of the same mountain: Yang represents the sunshine, and Yin the darkness. The paper relates that another critical geographic feature of Asian culture especially Chinese is the Yangtze River; the stones from its riverbed are called "Fengshui" or "Geomancy" and are believed to have special powers.
From the Paper "Another example of how the physical landscape of Asia affected Asian religion and culture is apparent in Taiwan. Located in the Shangdong province, Mt. Tai, referred to as "Taishan", is the Sacred Mountain of the East. "Chinese people believe that Mt. Tai is itself a deity or 'Buddha', a powerful deity as well." Mt. Tai illustrates the impact and importance physical geography can have on a culture. Buddhism has incorporated the physical landmark, Mt. Tai, as an integral part of their spiritual belief system."
