The World’s People

Class NotesWeek of 9/21/09

Note #1- Culture• Culture can be defined as the behaviors and beliefs

characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group.

• Geographers look at 8 different traits when studying a community’s culture. The 8 traits are…1. Language2. Religion3. Daily Life4. History5. Arts6. Government7. Economy8. Social Groups

Note #2- Ethnic Group• An ethnic group is a group of people who share a

common culture, language, or history.

• Examples of major ethnic groups in America…– Native American-

• Americans with ancestors that were indigenous to American soil.

– Asian American-• Americans of Asian decent.

– African American-• Americans of African decent.

– European American-• Americans of European decent.

Note #3- 4 Major World Religions• The 4 major world religions in order from biggest to

smallest are…

1. Christianity

2. Islam

3. Hinduism

4. Buddhism

Note #4- World Population• By the late 1990’s, world population had risen to

about 6 billion. • Better health care and improved living conditions

increase population growth.• To determine if a population is growing one must

consider 2 variables, Birth rate and death rate. If birth rate is higher than the death rate then the population is going to grow.

Note #5- Industrialization • When a country industrializes they use machines and

factories to produce (make) goods.• Due to the employment benefits of such factories,

cities and suburbs usually form around industrialized areas.– Also, in the 1800’s and early 1900’s when industrialization

was booming, a person needed to live within walking distance to where they worked because there wasn’t efficient modes of transportation.

Note #6- Fossil Fuels• Examples of fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas.• Fossil fuels are formed by natural resources such as

the decomposition of buried dead organisms. (organism=any living system)

• It typically takes millions of years for natural processes to produce fossil fuels.

Note #7- Natural Resources• A natural resource is a thing people can use which

comes from nature.• Examples of natural resources are…

• Air- which is produced by trees and plants.• Fresh Water- which is a result of the water cycle.• Wood- which comes from trees.• Oil/Fossil fuels- which are produced by the natural

decomposition of dead organisms.

Note #8- Dictators• Dictators rule the people of a country but are not

voted into power.• Sometimes dictators can rule in an evil way due to

absolute power.– Absolute power is dangerous because it can corrupt the minds of

good people. When a person has too much power for too long, they lose sight of reality.

• Example…– Saddam Hussein- Iraq 1979-2003

As of April, 2006

Note #9- Monarchy • A monarchy is when kings and queens inherit the

right to rule the people.• Examples of monarchy governments…

– United Kingdom- Constitutional monarchy • The monarch (king or queen) is only a ceremonial head of state

and does not exercise political power.• Elected Prime Minister (similar to our president) exercises

effective political power.• Effective system of checks and balances

– Saudi Arabia - Absolute Monarchy • The monarch (king or queen) does exercise power over every

aspect of state.• There is no system of checks and balances.

As of April, 2006

Note #10- Democracy• A democracy is a system of government where the governing of the people is

done by the people.• What the majority wants the majority gets.• People get to vote on important political matters such as who they want their

leader to be.

• An example of a democracy is… Everyone raise your hand

As of April, 2006