Regional Geography

5th Year Geography Leaving Cert Exam

Questions 4 , 5 and 6 – 3 questions to do one!

Long Term Learning Objectives1. Define the term ‘region’. Discuss this definition using a number of

headings – ‘The Concept of a Region’.

2. Learn about economic activities in two Irish regions – core and a periphery.

3. Learn about economic activities in two European regions – core and periphery.

4. Learn about a sub continental region – India.

5. Understand the characteristics of an urban region and problems associated with the region.

Don’t Panic!! This is going to take us until the summer holidays to complete!

Outline of Work1. Concept of a region – physical, administrative, cultural, socio economic, regions

of industrial decline.

2. Irish Peripheral Region (BMW) – primary, secondary, tertiary economic activities, population and sketch map.

3. Irish Core Region (GDA) –economic activities, urban region Dublin, population and sketch map.

4. European Peripheral Region (Mezzogiorno Italy) –economic activities, population and sketch map.

5. European Core Region (Paris Basin, France) –economic activities, urban region Paris, population and sketch map.

6. Sub Continental Region (India) – economic activities, urban area Kolkata, population, culture and sketch map.

7. The complexity of Regions – (i) Impact of the EU (ii) Changing boundaries

Definition of a Region• What do you think a region is. In your

groups discuss what you think a region is.

• Definitions are to be written on the board.

Region• A region is an area with a characteristc(s)

that sets it apart from other areas making it distinctive or unique in some way.

• A region can be identified using a variety of characteristics such as landscape, climate, economic development, language religion or government.

Activity• In your groups and using the list below..

Discuss examples of regions that are identified by

1. Language2. Landscape3. Climate4. Economic development5. Religion6. Government

Physical Region• Physical Region can be broken up into

two parts

1. Climate – cool temperate oceanic (Ireland)

2. Landscape – Karst Landscape (Burren Co. Clare) and The North European Plain

Physical Region: Ireland’s Climate Cool Temperate Oceanic• 40 – 55 degrees north and south of the

equator. • Ireland has mild winters (average 6°C) and

moderately warm summers (average 15°C).

• Rainfall is frequent throughout the year (1,500mm) with more rainfall in winter.

Physical Region: Ireland’s Climate Cool Temperate OceanicInfluence of latitude on Ireland’s climateLocated between 51.5 and 55.5 ° north and south of the equator. This influences the amount of sunshine and the temperature.

Influence of the sea on Ireland’s climateThe sea warms and dampens the prevailing south westerly winds and keeps the coast ice free in winter. The sea acts as an enormous storage heater. This keeps landtemperatures much higher than they should be given our latitude. Without the influence of the sea average winter temperatures in Ireland would be 10 degrees colder.

Physical Region: Ireland’s Climate Cool Temperate OceanicThe influence of south westerly winds on Ireland’s climateWinds pick up moisture and heat from the water as they travel across the Atlantic Ocean. The wind picks up water vapor by evaporation on its journey across the ocean. When the moist air reaches land it is forced to rise above the mountains causing relief rainfall.

Physical Region: Climate

Activity:

In groups, using the notes above and yourbook, summarise the main characteristics ofthe cool temperate oceanic climate.

Geomorphic Regions (Landscapes)

• Part of Physical Region – Karst Landscape Burren Co. Clare

• North European Plain is a lowland area covering more than half of Europe including Poland, northern Germany, Belgium, northern and western France and the Romanian, Bulgarian and Hungarian plains.

Characteristics of the North European Plain

• Soils – during last ice age glaciers deposited rock, sand and soil as moraine and boulder clay. Strong winds blew across these deposits and lifted fine sands and silt (limon).

• Climate – mild and moist. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year and temperatures are moderate.

• Drainage – Many large rivers such as the Seine, the Rhine and the Loire flow across in a north westerly direction.

• Relief – Flat relief has allowed intensive commercial agriculture and the development of efficient transportation networks.

Administrative Region

• Areas controlled by local or central government agencies.

• Local agencies are town councils and county councils – Ireland county councils

• Central agencies are government departments – France Departments

Let’s think about how Ireland is governed….

Thought shower!!

Activity: In your groups read the case study of local and central government

agencies in Ireland

• Highlight the important pieces of information.

• Summarize the main points into your copies.

21

FRANCE - ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM

• Multiple Tier System• Central Government• • 22 Regional

Governments• • • 92 Departments

France Government• Like Ireland France has a three level

local government administration system.

1. Communes2. Departments3. Regions

Communes• 1798 – oldest form of local authority in

France. • Responsible for water supply, lighting,

park maintenance and primary school buildings.

• Each has an elected mayor and assembly.• Similar in size to small Irish towns, villages

and parishes. Most have less than 1,000 people.

Departements• 1790

• Responsible for planning, public housing, car tax, secondary schools and colleges, roads, health and social services.

• There are 100 departements in France. All are a similar size and shape. The prefet is the government representative in his/her local departement.

• Each departement is identified by a two digit number which is used on car number plates and postcodes.

Regions• Created in 1982 to decentralise government

services and decision making.

• Responsible for regional planning and economic development as well as funding schools and colleges. There are 26 regions and each region has a unique cultural identity.

• Decisions are made by a regional council whose members are elected every six years. Similar to Irish provinces – connaught, munster etc.

Cultural Regions• What is culture?

• In your groups discuss this….

• Write down some of the elements that you think make up someone’s culture.

Cultural Regions• Areas where people share a specific language, religion

and/or way of life..

2 headings – Language and Religion

1. Gaeltacht Ireland2. Belgium’s language divide.

1. Protestantism in Northern Ireland2. Islamic World.

Exam Question• Culture is an important factor in defining

some regions. Examine the above statement with reference

to any region you have studied.

Can also add these notes into the concept of a region question.

Culture – Language: Gaeltacht

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liYWT7Ip0J4

• The Irish language has an important role in expressing Irish culture and identity.

• Read your book on page 147 for a quick introduction.

• (We will also study chapter 33 with this topic)

What do we know about the Gaeltacht and the Irish

language?• Mind map everything we know about out

national language.

Activity: Read the case study on the Gaeltacht – Answer the

following questions1. What is the Gaeltacht? Where is the Gaeltacht

located? 2. Describe in detail how the Gaeltacht was formed. 3. What is the Fíor and Breac Gaeltacht?4. Phyiscal and human factors have combined to make

the Gaeltacht a unique cultural region. Explain this statement referring to physical and human factors.

5. Give three historic and three modern reasons why the Irish language has declined.

6. What is being done to support the Irish language.

Changing Boundaries in Language Regions

Regional boundaries can change over time This is due to 1.Push and pull forces of migration2.Effect of strong external forces.

Activity: Read page 239 – 241 of your books to understand why the boundary of the Gaeltacht has changed.

Belgium

Culture: Language• Belgium has a population of 10.6m people but is

a linguistically divided country. The division of the population by language has led to political, social and economic division of the country.

• An official language line occurs across the country separating Dutch speaking Flanders from the French speaking Wallonia.

Wallonia• Southern Belgium• French Speaking• Liberal • Socialist• Catholic• Locals are called Walloons.• Was once wealthy industrial region based on the

coal resources (Sambre Meuse Valley) but went into decline in the 1960s.

• High unemployment.

Flanders• Northern Belgium• Flemish – a variation of Dutch• 60% of Belgian population is Flemish.• Catholic but more conservative and republican

in outlook.• Economy mainly based on agriculture with little

industry but since 1960s Flanders has undergone economic growth.

• Capital city Brussles is located in Flanders.

• The language line was established in 1917 and led to the formation of two government administrative regions. (Each have their own government)

• A third region, The East Cantons, is German speaking.

• Representatives from each region are elected to the Belgian national government.

Groupwork• As a group read the case study on Belgium.

• Discuss the phyiscal or human factors that have led to the division of Belgium.

• Summarise these in you copies.

• Share your work with the other groups.

Culture: Religion• Religion can also make regions unique. It

can shape group identity and act as a unifying force but can equally be a source of social conflict and can strongly divide people.

We are going to look at two case studies Ireland – Protestantism in Northern

IrelandThe Islamic World.

Protestantism in Northern Ireland

Keywords1. Protestant2. Catholic3. Unionism4. Loyalism5. Republican6. Nationalist

Protestantism in Northern Ireland• Plantation of the area during the 16th and 17th centuries. Settlers

came from Scotland and England

• Protestant religion was a unifying cultural force (brought them all together) which separated them from the native Irish Catholic.

• Over time their religion became associated with their political

struggle to remain park of the UK as expressed in unionism and loyalism.

• Catholicism became associated with the struggle to reunify Ireland as expressed in republicanism and nationalism.

Background Data• The conflict in Northern

Ireland is between two groups; Protestants and Catholics. The conflict is not necessarily about religion, but it does have some significance in the history of the conflict.

The current population of Northern Ireland is 1.5 million. 55% of the population is Protestant, 45% Catholic.

Today, the two groups place their emphasis on different elements of the problem.

Protestant Beliefs

• Have a constitutional right to the land

• Preserving the Union with Britain

• Resisting the perceived threat of a United Ireland

Catholic Beliefs• For some, Northern

Ireland remains a National struggle

• Self determination• Others viewed the conflict

as a struggle against unfair practices by the Unionist government between 1920-1970

Historical Background

• The proximity of Britain and Ireland has lead to a long history of interaction and linkage.

Key Dates in Northern Ireland History

• 1170- Settlers from Britain arrive in Ireland

• 1608 -Plantation of Ulster began English and Scottish settlers moved into the north

• 1641- The Catholic-Gaelic rising in response to the Plantation and the confiscation of land by Protestant settlers from England and Scotland

• 1690- The Battle of the Boyne and the victory of Protestant William III over Catholic James II - this victory is still celebrated in many parades in Northern Ireland

• 1801- Act of Union which abolished the Irish Parliament and bound Ireland and Britain together as parts of the United Kingdom

• 1912 -Ulster Solemn League and Covenant signed by over 400,000 Protestants who wanted to remain in the Union

• 1916- The Easter Rising in Dublin against British rule

Creation of Irish Free State / Northern Ireland

• In 1921, the island of Ireland was partitioned by the British government. The 26 southern counties gaining independence from Britain, while the 6 northeastern countries remained part of the United Kingdom

Northern Ireland

• At the time, the 6 northeastern counties had a built-in Protestant majority (65/35)

• Ethnic bias in the distribution of housing and welfare services lead to more turmoil between the two sides

Beginnings of “The Troubles”___________________________

• Started in the 1960’s -Civil Rights Campaign

Catholics-inspired by the worldwide civil rights movement

Protestants – saw this as a threat to Northern Ireland’s existence –responded hostile to demonstrations

“The Troubles”• 1969 – London deployed

the British Army to restore order.

• To most Catholics, they were seen as protector of the Northern Ireland state and repressive majority population. (others – British troops on Irish soil)

Creation of Paramilitary Groups• The creation of the

Provisional Irish Republic Army (PIRA –later shortened to IRA) was organized in response to British engagement into the civil rights movement. The IRA gained members during the 1970’s and became more violent in their tactics.

Creation of Paramilitary Groups

• Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)

-Loyalist Paramilitary Group. Formed primarily in response to IRA, also used violence to help its cause.

Formation of the Peace Process

• As the two sides fought against each other for most of the 1970’s and early 1980’s, it became evident that progress was never going to be made using force. Instead, the IRA and UVF began aligning with political parties in Northern Ireland as a way to fight for their goals.

Sinn Fein- Republic Ireland

Sinn Fein – The political wing of Republicanism and the IRA. Leader-Gerry Adams

Progressive Unionist Party and Democratic Unionist Party

Progressive Unionist-Was involved in discussions leading tonegotiations betweenthe parties.

Democratic Unionist- Continuesto remain loyal to Britain

Continuing towards Peace-“Frameworks for the future”

• Starting in the early 1990’s, steps were being taken by both sides to show their willingness to live in peace. – The ceasefire of 1994 by the IRA was seen as

a positive sign that would eventually bring both sides to diplomatic relations for the first time in several decades.

Good Friday AgreementApril 1998

The agreement reached 5 main points:

1. Future constitutional status was in the hands of its citizens

2. If the people wanted to unite, they could by voting

3. Current constitutional position remains within the UK

4. Citizens could be Irish, British, and both

5. Republic of Ireland would drop territorial claim

Future of Northern Ireland?• With continued peaceful

agreements, the hopes of those in Northern Ireland is to move forward and begin a new chapter in what was been a struggle to co-exist for the past several decades and begin the healing process.

Today• Strong Protestant tradition tend to be urbanised areas such

as north Armagh, north Down, Antrim and North Derry.

• In Belfast and other large urban areas there are distinct zones in which either Protestants or Catholics live.

• Catholic areas are marked by kerbstones painted green white and orange and scenes of Irish history e.g. Easter rising etc.

• Protestant areas kerbstones may be painted red white and blue and mural of the Queen or people from English history.

• In Belfast a peace line separates these areas.

• Sport – Catholics support GAA, Glasgow Celtic and Republic of Ireland soccer teams. Protestants support Glasgow Rangers and northern Ireland.

• Integration is improving in schools but still an issue where children are sent to schools reflecting their religion. In certain areas children would not wear football jerseys as it implies their religious beliefs.

Changes to Political Boundaries

• Gerrymandering in Northern Ireland• Gerrymandering means to unfairly change the

boundaries of an electoral constituency in order to give one candidate, political party or group an advantage over others.

• 1920s Northern Ireland changes to political boundaries were introduced to ensure that elections would produce a unionist majority.

• If gerrymandering did not take place certain electoral areas would have produced a catholic majority giving them political power (a result the unionists did not want).

• This system was used in Derry city which had a majority Catholic population but returned a unionist majority in various elections.

• This system of ‘vote rigging’ is no longer in practice in Northern Ireland.

• However gerrymandering is still an issue in the United States.

Culture: Language – The Islamic World

Islamic World

• In 570AD Mohammed founded the religion known as Islam. Followers are called muslims.

There are 1 billion Muslims in the world.

• Within 100 years of his death the Muslim Empire stretched across Central Asia, east to India and west to Spain.

• Muslim armies conquered vast areas of land and drew up treaties with these conquered people which gave local religions the status of protected minorities. However many converted to Islam.

• Muslim Merchants and travellers introduced Islam into the Indian sub continent (Pakistan and Bangladesh) and into Malayesia, indonesia and the Philippines. Intermarriage between locals and Muslims became acceptable.

Conflict with Christians• During the Middle Ages there were regular

conflicts between Christians and Muslims. Only real success was in Spain (today a catholic country).

• Followers of Islam are divided into two groups. Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims.

Muhammad died suddenly in 632 before appointing a successor. Arguments over the rightful heir to his leader ship caused the divisions within Islam that persist to this day.

Sunnis believe the true Caliph should be chosen by those close to Muhammad; did not have to be a relative of Muhammad. Most Muslims (85%) are Sunni.

Shi’as (word means “division”) believe Muhammad appointed Ali, his son-in-law, before he died, even included the choice in the Qur’an, but others secretly burned those copies. They maintain that the true Caliph must be a direct descendant of Muhammad.

The disagreement led to internal battles and assassinations of leaders, but Islam spread rapidly throughout the Middle East and into Europe, stopped in France at the Battle of Tours in 732 AD.

Muhammad died suddenly in 632 before appointing a successor. Arguments over the rightful heir to his leadership caused the divisions within Islam that persist to this day.

Sunnis believe the true Caliph should be chosen by those close to Muhammad; did not have to be a relative of Muhammad. Most Muslims (85%) are Sunni.

Shi’as (word means “division”) believe Muhammad appointed Ali, his son-in-law, before he died,

even included the choice in the Qur’an, but others secretly burned those copies. They maintain that

the true Caliph must be a direct descendant of Muhammad.

The disagreement led to internal battles and assassinations of leaders, but Islam spread rapidly throughout the Middle East and into Europe, stopped in France at the Battle of Tours in 732 AD.

What made Islam so appealing?

Christians were perceived by non-Christians as prejudiced; Muslims were not.

Islam was a simple religion.

Arabs were traders; it became profitable for non-Muslims to convert for business purposes.

Muslim armies were adept at desert fighting.

Qur’an Called the “book of

heaven,” supposedly dictated to Muhammad by angel Gabriel.

The Qur’an mentions Jesus many times, but declares that Jesus is only a prophet and that he was not crucified.

What are the main

practices?

They are called the “five pillars of

Islam”.

1. Say the Shahada throughout the day.

2. Pray five times daily, facing Mecca.

Each prayer begins with a recitation of the opening chapter from the Qur’an.

Prayers must wash in the prescribed way before they pray.

Prayers are formal and memorized and prayed

in various postures, from bowing to kneeling. The word mosque means “place of prostration.”

Muslim communities gather for collective prayer mostly on Fridays.

3. Alms: Muslims are required to give 2.5% of their income to the poor.

4. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) Every able bodied Muslim must make this pilgrimage once.

What are Islamic extremists’ main

complaints against America? American support of

Israel which, in their view, unlawfully invaded and occupied Palestine, a former Islamic territory.

American military presence in Saudi Arabia, Islam’s Holy Land.

American moral decadence despite its reputation as a “Christian” nation.

Other Customs• Saudi Arabia women are obliged to remain

completely covered by wearing a burka, while in other countries women must keep their hair covered.

• Arranged marriages are common• Muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol or

gamble. When entertaining men and women tend to socialise in different parts of the building. Certain foods are also forbidden e.g. pork

Concept of a Region1. Physical2. Culture3. Administrative4. Urban5. Socio Economic – Core and Periphery6. Socio Economic – regions of industrial

Decline

Urban Areas• An urban region is an area that surrounds a

human settlement and is linked to it by interactions such as shopping, the journey to work and supplying farm produce.

• The area linked to the urban area is called the hinterland

• An urban area can also be called a nodal or city region.

Jim Ryan SPC102

Urban Regions - Case Study Dublin

• 60% of Irish people live in cities and towns - Dublin has by far the largest proportion - Primate City

• Ireland - One of least urbanised in Europe (European Average - 80%)

• Dublin’s development traced back to Vikings - Site-Woodquay,Christchurch/ Lowest bridging point -Further developed by Nornans and Plantations

• Situation - Deep sheltered bay on East Coast development of infrastructure focused here/Liffey Valley providing access to central lowlands/

• Agricultural Hinterland - Market City• Large population - led to development of Industries and Services eg

Guinness/Intel - IFSC/Transport system centralised in Dublin• Urban Sprawl - Eastwards and Northwards and along coast but

restricted by Irish Sea and Dublin/Wicklow mountains

Activity• Read Chapter 25 of your book (Page 165)

We will be studying urban regions in more detail when we discuss Dublin, Paris and Kolkata.

Socio Economic Region: Core and Periphery

Read Chapter 23 (page 155) in your book.•Make a list of the factors you would expect to find in a 1.Core region2.Peripherial region.

Can your group remember the examples of core and periphery regions we will study?

Jim Ryan SPC105

REGIONAL DEFINITIONSREGIONAL DEFINITIONS•CORE REGIONSCORE REGIONS - - A core region is A core region is

the wealthiest part of an area of land. the wealthiest part of an area of land. It is the centre of economic,political It is the centre of economic,political and administrative life in a region and administrative life in a region e.g. Dublin, Paris Basin, Manchester-e.g. Dublin, Paris Basin, Manchester-Milan-Berlin axis = core of EU.Milan-Berlin axis = core of EU.

•Usually the capital of a country is in Usually the capital of a country is in the core region.the core region.

Jim Ryan SPC106

PERIPHERAL REGIONSPERIPHERAL REGIONS•A peripheral region is a region which A peripheral region is a region which

is distant from the core and lacks is distant from the core and lacks economic, political and economic, political and administrative investment e.g. BMW, administrative investment e.g. BMW, Mezzogiorno, Greece, Scottish Mezzogiorno, Greece, Scottish HighlandsHighlands

•Usually the poorest part of the Usually the poorest part of the country.country.

•Usually will have negative aspects to Usually will have negative aspects to its physical geography eg drought, its physical geography eg drought, boggy soilsboggy soils

Socio – Economic Region: Industrial Decline

1. Sambre Meuse Valley, Belgium.2. Greater Cork Area

Jim Ryan SPC108

Case Study 1. Sambre - Meuse Valley

• Core Region of Belgium has changed from Wallonia - Flanders• 1750 - 1950’s major coal and steel/associated industries base

around major coalfields of the area - Kampen/Liege/Sambre- Meuse• Engineering/chemicals/iron and steel• Decline due to new cheaper imports/decline in coal and steel/new

cheaper sources of energy (oil/gas)/ new technologies = DEINDUSTRIALISATION

• Flow of people to North/Loss of industry to North led to Flanders becoming the new core of Belgium

• Wallonia became an Objective 2 Region - Attempts by government and EU to REINDUSTRIALISE the region eg. Charleroi Airport/Caterpillar

• Since 1960 Flanders has experienced significant economic growth - Antwerp/Zelzate

Jim Ryan SPC109

Sambre-Meuse Valley - A Response to Industrial Decline?

• EU designated the area Objective 2 (Convergence Region) – Structural Funds from The Common Regional Policy

• Investment in transport network -motorways to Randstad/Rhur/Paris

• Development of new Industrial Estates near cities such as Charleroi/La Louviere

• Upgrading of airports to International standard eg. Charleroi (Ryanair Hub)

• Cleaning up of derelict landscape to make it more attractive for investment

Case Study

• Read the case study.

• In groups discuss the human and physical factors that have influenced the decline of the industry

Group Activity• We have learnt about the language divide

and industrial decline in Belgium.

• As a group write a presentation discussing these factors. Groups will present their presentations in class.

Jim Ryan SPC112

Case Study 2Greater Cork Area

• 1973 - Ireland joined EEC - Began process of INDUSTRIALISATION• Verholme Shipyard/Oil Refinery/Ford/Dunlop/Irish Steel/Sunbeam

Textiles added to traditional industries eg processing - Cork became a Growth Centre for the National Economy

• 1980’s Recession - Industrial decline hit the Cork area. Long established industries closed down. MNC’s eg. Ford & Dunlop closed the branch plants in Cork - DEINDUSTRIALISATION - Massive unemployment

• 1990’S - REINDUSTRIALISATION - due to booming world economy• Lots of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) led by IDA• PFIZER/JOHNSON&JOHNSON/WYETH/APPLE/BOSTON

SCIENTIFIC• Unlike Wallonia Cork has recovered

Activity• Read the case study of Cork in your

books.

• Summarise your own notes into your copies.

Revision of Topic/ Exam Question

Concept of a region – Physical (landscape and climate), culture (languge & religion), socio economic (core and periphery & region of industrial decline) and urban region

Culture – Language Gaeltacht & BelgiumReligion – Northern Ireland & Islamic World

Region of Industrial Decline – Sambre Meuse Valley & Cork

Activity• Answer the following 30m exam question

What is a region? Discuss using examples you have studied.