Geography 100

Europe Supplemental Readings

The Europe section includes three readings and assignments to complete for credit.You will need to type the answers for each article and turn them in. The topics will be part of your exam. The topics will be on Exam 1.

Read the two articles on migration. The links are on my website. I recommend that you print them out so that you can annotate and study from them.

  • “Looking West for Work” (Your choice! Type up answers or create a map!)
  • “Revitalized Eastern Germany” (Type answers)

Background:

Diffusion refers to the spread of cultural or physical phenomenon across space. Ideas, culture, technology, disease, plants, pollution, etc. are diffused from one location to another in a variety of ways. Migration is one of the primary means of cultural diffusion, because when people move they bring their culture with them to their new locale. Migration can also be an indication of changing political, economic, cultural or environmental conditions for a region. Where are people moving from? Why are people moving? Where are they moving to? Why are they going there? These are the questions that geographers ask.

Push Factors: Why is the place that you live no longer acceptable?

Political / Cultural – discrimination, oppression, genocide

Economic – high unemployment, poor pay, poor working conditions,

limited opportunity / education

Environmental – drought, flood, famine, sports / recreation

Pull Factors: How do you decide where to move to?

Political / Cultural – tolerance, religious / political freedom,

visa approved

Economic – better pay & working conditions, improved economic opportunities

Environmental – better climate for agriculture, water, recreation

Assignment:

1. Read the article “Looking west for work” (L.A. Times 1-21-07) and identify the following:

  • Origin and destination of the migrants
  • Push & pull factors for the migrants
  • Types of migrants and jobs

2. Read the article “Revitalized eastern Germany draws former residents home” (LA Times

8/18/2012)

  • What is the current migration trend in Germany?
  • What are the pull factors?
  • Compare conditions in the two articles. What has changed in Eastern Europe since 2007?

The third article deals with Separatism in Europe. Type the answers to questions.

3. Read the article “Under EU, independence feels viable to Europe's secessionists”

(LA Times 12/24/12)

  • What factors are fueling self-determination in Europe?
  • How does the EU factor into the decision for countries to separate?
  • What are the challenges for the EU?
  • Why do countries like Spain want to “set the bar high” for separatist regions?