Abstract Geographic Information System (GIS) is an organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze and display all forms of geographically referenced information. The paper shows that the rapid developments in computer and communication technology have changed many aspects in human life. The Internet, being one of the major developments in information technology, has a growing demand for applications such as the Internet-based GIS. This paper contains description and background of Internet-based GIS. It also examines and describes several of the techniques, applications, and approaches that can be used to develop Internet-based GIS.
From the Paper "A direct-access GIS application is delivered through a specific software product. It enables the user to directly manipulate and retrieve data. If offline, working with locally stored data is possible. Direct-access GIS applications are installed on the user's computer either as java applet or as a full software. ArcExplorer is an example of a direct-access GIS used especially for intranet system based data sharing. It doesn't take too much disk space and allows preparing graphics and inserting maps in word-processing documents. ArcExplorer can be installed as stand-alone application or as ActiveX plug-in to a Web browser. (Weise, Ulrike, Internet GIS)"
Abstract The paper begins with a climatic classification of South Africa and, more specifically, of the township near Johannesburg known as Soweto. It then looks at how the climate of the area has an enormous impact on the people of Soweto economically, agriculturally, and physiologically. The paper shows that the economic impact of long hot summers and mild winters is the inability to produce good crops, thus tying the people to the surrounding mines in order to make a living. The paper also examines how living in a certain geographic location can alter a person's pigmentation and facial features.
From the Paper "Body style too is related to the climate of an area. Warmer dryer climates are associated with broader noses, where the nostrils are circular in shape. It is hypothesized that this facial feature, a feature common among the black people of South Africa, is tied to the climate. These types of noses have the least amount of surface area and would warm and moisten the air less than another type of nose would. This is an advantage in hot dry climates, like Soweto has, where the inhabitants face the challenges of draught and heat (Baker, 1974)."
Tags: Seasonal, Affective, Disorder, SAD, Mediterranean, pigmentation, facial
Abstract This paper examines the military technology, the global positioning system, which is a navigational system that comprises of a complex arrangement of satellites that orbit around the earth. It describes the technology, its evolution throughout the twentieth century, and its immense military application. The paper then illustrates the wider commercial use of the global positioning system in the latter part of the century.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Historical Events in the Global Positioning System Technology
The Origin
The World War II Era
Soviet Union's Sputnik-I
The Decade Before Developmental History (1964-1974)
Achievements of the Advancements
The Developmental History of the Global Positioning Satellites System
Pathway to the GPS Technology
The First GPS Satellite
Subsequent Developments in the Global Positioning System
Technological Account of the Global Positioning System
Operational Details of GPS
Record Information in GPS Satellite Signals
Reception of Information from Global Positioning Satellites
Communication Frequencies
Technological Advantages of the Global Positioning Satellites System
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "The technology behind the global positioning satellites system takes its origin from Marconi's comprehension of the radio waves and their utilization for transmission purposes. This radio wave technology was employed for social advantage in the course of 1920s. In these years, radio stations were established, which minimally required a receiver to commence operation. A complex model of the same simple technology applies to the functioning of the global positioning satellites system."
Abstract The City of London is only a very small part of Greater London, taking up little more than a square mile in area. The paper shows that the City of London is usually referred to as just The City, and today it is devoted primarily to business and finance. The paper explores several historical sites which make up the City of London, including the Bank of England and Lloyds of London.
From the Paper "A central anchor to the City is the Bank of England. It was established by Act of Parliament and operates under a Royal Charter. It was founded on July 27, 1694 with a staff of nineteen in rented premises, and its capital, Bank of England Stock, represented the start of the Funded National Debt. In 1734, the Bank moved to a building specially designed for it in Threadneedle Street in the City of London. From the beginning, the institution concentrated on issuing notes for deposits made with it, and these would be the forerunners of today's bank notes.
The Bank of England also acted as banker to the government and to most departments of state as well as managing and acting as the registrar of government securities. With the expansion of the Bank's business in the early 18th century, it was necessary to extend the 1734 building, and by 1828 it covered the whole of its present three acre site. ("The Bank of England-A Brief History")."
Abstract This paper considers how one of the oldest countries in Europe, France, has long been a key trading partner with other nations, particularly those in Western Europe and North America. It looks at how today, France is seen as one of the more important markets within the European Union and American companies considering expanding operations to France need to evaluate the political, demographic and business environment within France before making the commitment to market there. It shows how France is an attractive market for American companies because it is a country which does not have significant trade barriers, because its work force and consumers are highly educated and because its political system is stable.
From the Paper "Although French unions are considered to be powerful, membership in unions has declined to approximately half of that in the United States. However, French law is much more rigorous about the relationship which exists between unions and employers than American law. For example, employee delegates to unions serve one-year terms in companies with more than 10 employees. These delegates can present individual or collective issues to the employer, and they can inform the government of any violations of labor law. Reorganization of the work week by management must also be discussed with the delegate. To some degree, this delegate is the French counterpart of the shop steward in American firms (Ellison, 1999, p. 4)."
Abstract This comparison is limited to England, and does not consider the other regions of Great Britain—Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This paper concentrates on urban culture, and refers to lifestyles, outlooks and social environments in the urban areas of cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. Rural culture, as the term is used in this comparison, refers to lifestyles, outlooks, and social environments not only in the villages and farm country of England but also to the same factors prevalent in smaller cities and towns located outside the urban rings surrounding England’s larger cities.
Introduction
The Approach to Comparing and Contrasting Urban and Rural Cultures
The Myth of England's Rural Edens
Issues and Factors Differentiating Urban and Rural Cultures
Land Use and Control
The Animal Dichotomy
Roaming the Land
Social Factors
Conclusion
From the Paper "Neither the differences nor the similarities between urban and rural cultures in England may be fully appreciated through the recitation of masses of statistics concerning the proportions of school leavers, the underemployed, the poorly housed, or any of the other macro-statistical of which economists and politicians are so enamoured. Rather, the variations in outlooks on life that drive frequently conflicting goals between urban and rural populations, the intrusion of modern social ills that threaten to engulf urban and rural culture alike, and mythology about the realities of urban and rural life are the more meaningful contexts within which urban and rural cultures in England may be compared and contrasted."
Tags: great, britain, community, city, country, social
Abstract This research paper describes, compares and contrasts the principal factors (indicators) which have shaped the respective political cultures, dominant political leadership patterns, institutions and policies of Bahrain and Egypt. They include the natural environment, geographical position, religion and economic constraints and potentials.
From the Paper "The natural environment, especially climate, has played a significant role in influencing politics and government in both Bahrain and Egypt over the centuries; however, they were a more decisive factor in Egyptian political history. Bahrain as a culture dates back to the third millennium B.C., whereas Egyptian civilization (one of the oldest in the world) is more than 6,000 years old. Robison & Greenway commented that Bahrain had "a much more temperate climate 4500 years ago" than it does today (62). The Dilmun Empire in Bahrain was closely connected to the Sumerian religion then practiced in Mesopotamia in which "Bahrain's greenery was central" (Robison & Greenway 64). The relatively mild climate of Bahrain, as compared to that of neighboring continental areas of the Gulf region, made it ideal for seafaring trade including excellent harbors and an abundant supply of fresh water. Egypt's politics and state structures were more directly a product of a climate which yielded a large, thinly populated arid area and a densely populated Nile River Valley whose inhabitants have been dependent for their survival on the effects of rainfall and floods. According to Metz, Egypt's political and economic system "developed around the concept of a god incarnate (the pharaoh) who was believed through his magical powers to control the Nile flood" (8). Rule under the pharaohs generated (especially after the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt) in the third millennium B.C., centralized royal administrative institutions and structures."
This paper challenges the theories of Frederick Jackson Turner as presented in his essay, "The Significance of the Frontier on American History", by using the example of the development of California.
Abstract This paper explains that Turner's theory of social evolution, which states that the development of America took place in six distinct stages, which Turner applies to Wisconsin as an example. This paper, then, outlines the development of California as a whole and discuss the events in the development of Southern California that diverge from Turner's model.The author reports that rather than experiencing an agricultural period according to Turner's ?timeline,? California, especially Southern California, went right to the establishment of manufacturing and industry.
From the Paper "Granted, the expansion and development of California, especially as it pertained to the movements from west to east or from south to north (as in the case of Mexican expansion), was not exclusively American development per se. There was exploration and conquest on the part of the British, the Spanish, the Mexicans, and the French. However, this supports the contention that Turner's thesis was not an accurate model for California. Turner's primary focus was on the expansion of Western European peoples (in particular, those peoples of Germanic stock) from east to west. California was a state whose development was strongly influenced by Spanish, Mexican, French, and even Chinese cultures."
Abstract This paper explores the immense rainforest found in Peru, part of the larger South American rainforests. The paper begins with a description of the vast amounts of flora and fauna which can be found within the rainforest. The paper then explores how the deforestation which is conducted in the area has led to the destruction of not only this unique and special flora and fauna, but also to the indigenous people who inhabit the land. The paper concludes with a research proposal whose aim is to help stop the destruction of these forests.
Contents:
Introduction
Political Ecological Approach
Historical Background
The Multiple Factors Contributing to the Problem
Analysis of the Causes of Deforestation.
Proposals for Research
References
From the Paper "Currently the majority of the Peruvian Amazon is endangered by the threat of deforestation and other activities of man. In the early 20th century the rubber boom set off a continuing cycle of Peruvian politicians and international players bent on extracting natural resources from the Amazon with out much regard to the harm these activities would cause. Causes of deforestation in Peru do include logging, as well as oil drilling, spraying of chemicals and the clearing of vegetation to eliminate coca plants. Colonization by rural Peruvians leading to untouched prime Peruvian Amazonian forest being turned into farms and pastures are also major causes of the destruction of the Peruvian Amazonian forest. With the increase human population also comes increased pressure on the animal population due to over-hunting."
Abstract As the capital of the ?Land of Smiles,? Bangkok fascinates visitors from around the world by its dazzling architecture, culture and cuisine. Since the city experienced an economic boom in the 1980s, Bangkok has become a crowded city, with infamous traffic and pollution problems. Despite these problems, however, Bangkok remains one of the most attractive cities in the world. This paper begins with an introduction and geographic location of Bangkok. It then presents a general background to the history of the capital before exploring some of the city's major tourist attractions. Finally, the paper looks at local industry performance and problems which face the city such as pollution and traffic.
From the Paper "Bangkok is basically divided into two regions, the Old City and the newly developed areas east of the Old City, collectively referred to as the Greater Bangkok Metropolis. The Old City retains much of Bangkok's historical charm and architecture. Some of the less expensive places to stay are in the vicinity of the Old City, which houses most of Bangkok's major tourist attractions. The preservation of the Old City and its buildings makes Bangkok a model of harmonious contrasts: the major development can occur to the north and east of the Old City without encroaching on it."
Tags: klong, King, Rama, I, Chao, Phraya, Don, Muang
Abstract A report on the growing crisis in the Middle East due to the lack of substantial water resources. This lack of the necessary fresh water for agriculture and everyday uses has been brought about by a number of factors, the most important of which is the fact that the region now has too great a population to be supported by the ecology of the region. The paper looks at how the water shortage is dealt with in each of the region's individual countries and includes facts and figures relating to water usage and needs in the area.
From the Paper "Some Middle Eastern nations, like nations in other parts of the globe, are increasingly turning to the use of deep aquifers as a way to supply their people with water, but the long-term consequences of this may prove to be environmental perilous. Moreover, such use of aquifers often (rather than resolving regional and international water conflicts) actually makes them worse, as is the case with the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer, which lies under the national territories of Chad, Egypt, Libya and Sudan."
Abstract This paper discusses how Uganda shows all the traits of a developing country. It looks at how it faces the many environmental problems common to many developing countries, such as deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, invasions by introduced species, poaching and wetland draining. It also discusses how the Ugandan population is not very healthy, with a low life expectancy, due to HIV infection and deaths from simple (treatable) illnesses, such as malaria and meningitis. It analyzes what exactly development means for Uganda and its people and how development is composed of more than just economics. It looks at how political and cultural changes should also be taken into account as well.
From the Paper "Too much of development is ideas imposed from the outside by people "who know best", which is very much a patronizing attitude from the very people that are supposedly trying to help (especially in these worrying times where speaking about "regime change" is rarely challenged). People in developing countries are not stupid, they are just disadvantaged financially, which in this day and age, where money speaks louder than anything, even louder than the deaths of children from untreated diarrhea, is admittedly a hindrance, but not an insurmountable obstacle, if only they were given a fair chance: Fair Trade, a fair deal on the price of drugs from multinational drug companies, a fair hearing when help is needed desperately (Remember when Rwanda begged for coverage of its tribal warfare, and no-one would cover it? Remember when Colombia had three thousand deaths in an earthquake ? which incidentally destroyed the coffee region for three years ? and no-one listened?)."
Abstract Although the Berlin Wall was erected by the East German government in order to stop the mass exodus of refugees from East to West Germany, it acquired in the course of its twenty-eight-year life span symbolic meanings which transcended the pragmatic political intention behind its building. As a demarcation line between East and West, the Wall played a significant symbolic role in the "imaginative geography" of the Cold War, detente, and finally the collapse of the Communist regimes in Eastern Europe which brought to an end the dominance of a bipolar world system. This paper examines the significance of the Berlin wall from the eyes of author Roger Darton and his book, "Berlin Journal".
Abstract Precambrian rocks underlie Texas, which are more than 600 million years old. The deformed ancient volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks and sedimentary rocks were formed early in the Earth's history. They are now exposed in the Llano Uplift and in a few small areas in Trans-Pecos Texas.
Abstract The focus of this paper is Carl Sauer's view of what constitutes the proper philosophy or perspective on education in geography, and also the main components it ought to have. The paper will also discuss the fact that Sauer was writing about fifty years ago and some of what he recommended (and experienced in his own education), has changed; some has remained the same.
