Geography

Tourism (Read by Scott Mills)

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

*All proceeds from the sale of this podcast will go to the Starlight Children's Foundation*

Starlight works tirelessly to grant wishes to critically and terminally ill children, as well as entertaining more than 500,000 young people in hospitals and hospices each year. Scott Mills generously took the time out of his busy schedule to record this Geography revision title. Scott says: 'I know how popular the podcasts of Radio 1 shows are and it seems a really good idea for students to be able to download what they need for their GCSEs in the same way. When the guys behind GCSEPod approached me to record this title and said they would donate all the profits from the recording to Starlight, I jumped at the chance to help. I urge all students taking Geography to download it from the GCSEPod website!'

Aid

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

We live in a world of inequality, where some people have a far better standard of living and quality of life than others. In order to redress this imbalance people in the developed world give aid to those in the developing world, with the aim of improving the quality of life of those in need. Aid can be a controversial issue. There is much debate over whether aid reaches those who need it most and whether it is actually effective. Considering that there is some evidence to suggest that the development gap is actually widening, can aid actually make a difference? Aid can be given in many different forms and some types of aid are more effective at relieving poverty than others. This title outlines the benefits and drawbacks of each type of aid and gives useful case study examples.

Case Study: The Sahel

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Sahel is the name given to the region of Africa that is just south of the Sahara desert. It is an area where desertification is taking place. Desertification is the process by which previously usable land is turned into desert. The countries of the Sahel region include Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan and Ethiopia. These are some of the poorest countries in Africa and, as such, have difficulty coping with the consequences of desertification. Chapter one will explain the causes of desertification, while chapter two will describe some of the effects of desertification. Chapter three considers what can be done to reduce the impact of desertification and drought in the Sahel, including the work of Non-Governmental Organisations, or NGOs.

This Case Study is also available in the topics: Ecosystems; Water Supply; Farming; Weather and Climate

Indicators of Development

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Great inequalities exist across the world. This is highlighted by the fact that 20% of the global population are said to have 80% of the world's wealth. 80% of the population share the remaining 20% of the wealth. We can categorise individual countries according to their level of development. The world is divided by the Brandt line, which will be considered in detail in Chapter two. In this title we will learn about the characteristics of MEDCs and LEDCs. We will ask what the level of development means for the people who live in those countries. However, development is a complex topic and the divide between rich and poor is not clear-cut. So how do we categorise countries? How do we know their level of development? This title explains how we can measure development using economic and social indicators.

NICs and TNCs

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The world is constantly changing. In recent years, globalisation - the process of increasing connections and interdependence across the world - has changed the way that countries and companies operate in today's global marketplace. Newly Industrialised Countries, or NICs, have emerged as manufacturing and new technologies have driven economic growth. This has resulted in substantial improvements for industrial development and standards of living in these countries. Transnational Corporations known as TNCs have taken advantage of globalisation and now locate factories and sell products across the world. However, not all countries have kept up with these changes. LEDCs have been unable to compete, and still have the majority of their population employed in the primary sector and informal work. The speed of changes has led to the divide between the rich and the poor becoming ever wider.

Tertiary and Quaternary Industry in the UK, 1990 - Present Day

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Industrial activity changes over time as a result of development and new technologies. Industry has changed in the UK and the employment sector today looks very different to what it was in the past. Industry has become footloose, meaning that it is no longer tied to a particular location. As a result new 'sunrise' industries have emerged. Light manufacturing has taken over from traditional heavy industry and the tertiary sector has developed, as more people are involved in providing services to consumers. A brand new sector has even appeared since 1990. The quaternary sector employs highly skilled people to research and develop innovative new ideas and technologies. These changes have brought new business parks and science parks, in which footloose industries can locate. This title will use the case studies of Aztec West Business Park and Cambridge Science Park.

Trade and Interdependence

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Trade makes the world go round. Without it you would not have your mobile phone, computer or even a cup of tea! All of these products are imported into the UK through trade. All countries are interdependent, because they exchange goods to meet their needs. Trade enables countries to profit from the goods that they export. The more money that is made, the more a country will have available to use for development. However, inequalities in trade exist across with world with MEDCs dominating world markets. As a result LEDCs struggle to compete, and trade has led to the widening of the development gap. Here we learn how these trade patterns can influence development by looking at barriers to trade, trading blocs like the EU and the relatively new concept of Fair Trade.

Economic Systems

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Without economic systems our world would not function properly. This title examines various aspects of our global economic systems. Have you ever wondered why some countries are richer than others? The first chapter deals with economic development and how countries have got to where they are today. Have you also ever wondered why factories are found in some places but not others, or who decides where a new factory should go? These things are not left to chance; there are many factors that affect the location of different industries, and these are detailed in chapter two. Chapter three looks at economic development and the environment. We must remember that everything we do has an impact on our surroundings and the resources we leave available to future generations. The last two chapters deal with specific industries - retailing and the tourist industry.

Employment

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

There are four recognised types of industry. These are primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary. The proportion of people employed in each of these varies depending on how developed a country is. This title examines the changes in the global workplace at all levels, from international to local. It studies the rise of multinationals, their impact on employment patterns and the consequences of the globalisation of industry.

Global Trade

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Trade is the exchange of goods or services between countries. Some trade is 'visible' trade, where material goods such as foods, raw materials and manufactured goods are bought and sold. Some trade is invisible, where services are exchanged. An example of invisible trade is tourism. This title examines global trade. Trade patterns have had a significant impact on the development of different countries and this is examined in chapter one. Chapter two looks in more detail at the globalisation of trade.

Resources

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Resources are elements of the environment which are used by people. Some resources are renewable, which means their supply will not run out. However, if renewable resources are over-used, they can become non-renewable. An example of this is fuelwood. Wood is used in many LEDCs as a primary source of fuel. When forests are allowed time to regenerate, wood is a renewable resource. But the speed they are used at in some regions means that forests are wiped out and the resource is no longer sustainable.

Case Study: The Sahel

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This Case Study is also available in the topics: Water Supply; Farming; Weather and Climate; Development

Ecosystems

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

No matter how environmentally conscious we think we are, when we go about our everyday lives we usually only consider the things that affect us immediately or in the short-term. We sometimes don't realise that the planet is a very finely balanced system, and once we start disrupting this system, we have to deal with the consequences. This title deals with the issues surrounding ecosystems, their use and their management. Chapter one examines what an ecosystem is and outlines some of the main ecosystems found on a global scale. Plants have adapted to live with the climate and soils in particular locations, and this is covered in chapter two. Chapter three looks at the impact human usage has on some of our ecosystems and lastly, in chapter four, we examine ways of managing our ecosystems more sustainably.

Energy

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Resources are features of the environment that people can use. In the past, when global populations were low, the environment could provide everything humans needed for food, water and shelter. However, the demand for and the use of resources has grown rapidly due to population growth and economic development. If resources can be used again, or if they are used at a sustainable rate, they are called �renewable'. Non-renewable resources are those that will run out or won't be replaced because we are using them too quickly. This title examines the question: how can existing resources and their alternatives be managed to ensure future supplies? Chapter One deals with non-renewable resources. Chapter Two looks at our development and use of those resources which are renewable. Finally, Chapter Three examines the effects of changes in the use of natural resources.

Case Study: Farming in the UK

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of farming, and agriculture has helped make the UK successful and powerful.� Although the UK now imports a large majority of its fruit, vegetables and cereals, farming is still an important industry within the British Isles. This case study will look at the types of British farming, their locations and the problems, solutions and methods associated with each type. We will also examine the future of British farming to give you a well-balanced case study.

Case Study: Intensive Rice Farming in the Ganges Delta

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

South East Asia is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Over a billion people live in India alone. Rice is the staple, or main, food crop. South East Asia is also home to some of the poorest people on the planet who depend on rice to survive.� Without this staple crop over a billion people would potentially face starvation. This case study will examine the location, physical and human factors, as well as the problems and solutions of rice farming in the Ganges Delta.

Case Study: The Sahel

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This Case Study is also available in the topics: Ecosystems; Water Supply; Weather and Climate; Development

Farming in LEDCs

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Farming is big business in LEDCs. In fact, agriculture is the biggest business in LEDCs across the globe. Types of farming vary from small subsistence farms to huge commercial plantations, as do the amounts of wealth involved and the problems farmers face. Although farming is the largest business in LEDCs, it is also one of the most fragile. In this title, we will look at the factors affecting farming and the impact farming has had on LEDCs. The Green Revolution aimed to increase yields to feed a growing population and to improve the standard of living. It has had some success. However, exporting the science and technology used so successfully in MEDCs has had its problems. LEDCs with lower education levels and less government financial support have been poorly equipped to deal with the impact of the Green Revolution.

Farming in MEDCs

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

As education levels and wealth have increased, MEDCs are primarily involved in tertiary and quaternary industries. MEDC governments are able to import a large percentage of the foods and products they need from other countries. However, there are still many farmers in MEDCs all around the world, and their actions have had a serious impact upon the environment. There is a danger of repeating this environmental damage in LEDCs. The technologies and farming methods that MEDCs have invented have been sold to LEDCs, in an effort to maximise their production and quality of life. But with a lower level of development, these modern farming methods may do more harm than good. This title will examine how farmers operate in MEDCs, the factors effecting farming and the impact of modern farming methods upon people, the environment and the economy.

Introduction to Farming

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Have you ever wondered where the food you buy in the supermarket comes from? Food is produced by�one of the world's most important industries - farming. Providing food for the world's population is a never ending task, and farmers must keep up with constantly changing demands. People want to eat fruits like pineapples and mangoes, but these don't grow in some countries. We no longer want to eat just seasonal fruit and vegetables - we want apples available all year round, for example. To supply food for a rapidly growing population, farmers worldwide are faced with a difficult job. Without this primary industry, the world would not function. This title aims to provide you with a guide to the essentials of farming, from the different types to what the future may have in store for farmers.

Management of Farming

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Advances in science and technology have helped revolutionise farmers' lives and businesses.�However, how humans manage the advances in farming is crucial. MEDC farmers with access to large amounts of money have learned about the effects their methods have had, but they have learned the hard way. Mistakes were made, and how farming deals with these mistakes and ensures they will not happen again is now the primary focus for MEDC farming. LEDC farming is usually conducted on a much simpler level. Lack of wealth, poor soil quality and extreme climates have had a huge effect on the efficiency of LEDC farming. MEDC technology and methods have been sold and exported to poorer countries, but have not always brought the success hoped for. How these countries deal with future problems will determine whether they will become more successful.

Glaciation and Glacial Features

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

A glacier is a moving mass of ice, usually in a downhill movement due to the force of gravity. The way in which a glacier has formed and the effects they have on the landscape is known as �glaciation'. Glaciers form when snow accumulates and is compressed by its own weight. As the snow is compressed, it becomes denser and as the density increases, the snow is compacted until it becomes ice. Glaciers can �erode' land, which is when they wear away and remove material. They can also carry this material as they move through a valley. Glaciers deposit material as they are moving, or if the load becomes too much to carry. These processes, as well as other glacial features, are examined in this title. A Case Study of the Lake District shows a present day glaciated area.

Aid

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title looks at the provision of short and long-term aid following the occurrence of a hazard. The aid varies depending upon the type of hazard. Short-term aid tends to focus on trying to get people out of the immediate danger. This could be moving them away from the risk of a hurricane or rescuing those trapped in a collapsed building caused by an earthquake, and then providing them with essential medical attention. Long-term aid tends to focus on rebuilding people's lives and trying to help reduce the danger that such hazards cause. This title also compares �grass roots' aid with aid classed as �top down'. Both of these types of aid can be effective if implemented correctly. We will explore how aid varies between rural and urban areas and also between LEDCs and MEDCs, using examples from each.

Case Study: Kashmir Earthquake

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Kashmir earthquake - also known as the Pakistan or the South Asia earthquake - occurred at 8.50am local time on the 8th of October 2005. The epicentre was Muzaffarabad in the Pakistan-administered region of Kashmir,�80 kilometres north east of the capital Islamabad. It registered 7.6 on the Richter scale, making it a similar-sized earthquake to the 2001 Gujarat and the 1906 San Francisco earthquakes. There were at least twenty strong aftershocks and by the end of October, more than a thousand aftershocks had been recorded. Pakistan is an LEDC, and this affected how prepared, or unprepared, the country was for an earthquake on this scale. Chapter one will examine the causes of the earthquake and its effects. Chapter two will discuss the events after the earthquake and the management of the rescue efforts.

Case Study: Montserrat Volcanic Eruption

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

On the 25th of June 1997, after a build-up lasting several years, Chances Peak volcano in the Soufri�re Hills on the Caribbean island of Montserrat erupted violently. This case study will outline the causes and effects of the eruption before moving on to examine in detail the responses to this event both in the short-term and in the long-term.

Causes of a Natural Hazard

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title explores the structure of the earth and what is below the surface. We break down the earth into the three layers of core, mantle and crust to explore what is within. The surface of the earth is not one solid mass; it is broken up into pieces known as �plates'. It is at the edges of these plates that we get the most activity and some interesting geographical features. The edges of the plates are known as plate boundaries, or margins, and we will examine the four main types of plate margins. This title also explores the natural hazards commonly found at each type of plate margin, such as earthquakes and volcanoes.

Earthquakes

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title we are going to talk about Earthquakes. We will discuss what the key terms are to use when you are writing about an earthquake in an exam. Remember that the use of geographical words helps boost your marks and shows deeper understanding. You are going to learn about the Richter Scale, which is how earthquakes are measured.� The Richter Scale helps you to compare earthquakes and also understand that it is not just the size of the earthquake that affects the damage to the human and physical environment, but also the location of the epicentre. Lastly, we are going to look at case studies of the Kobe and San Francisco earthquakes. Both of these are good examples of how countries cope with an earthquake, particularly Japan where there can be up to three earthquakes per day!

Planning, Prediction and Protection

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Planning, prediction and protection are the three Ps of natural hazards. It is important to understand more about the people that are affected and choose to live in these dangerous areas of the world. There are a variety of ways that natural hazards can be predicted and planned for in the short and long term. However, there is nothing that can actually prevent what will happen when the hazard strikes. There are lots of negative factors associated with living in volcanic and earthquake zones, but many are densely populated. We need to understand more about why people choose to live in �danger zones', and their attitudes towards living in extreme danger.

Tectonic Plates

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title we are going to learn about the structure of the earth, including the layer that we live on and also the layers that are hundreds of miles beneath us. This title explains how the way these layers move can be responsible for many natural hazards, such as volcanoes and earthquakes. We will define what the different layers of the earth are, how they move and how they are responsible for natural hazards - it is amazing to think that there are large floating plates beneath our feet that could just brush past each other and wipe out entire cities! It is important to understand that earthquakes and volcanoes are not the only types of natural hazards. Remember, a natural hazard is anything that happens as a result of the elements rather than as a result of people.

The Effects of a Natural Hazard

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

When thinking about an event or issue in Geography, we usually consider its causes and effects. It is important that we know and understand the effects of natural hazards. When considering the effects of any natural hazard it is best to break it down into three categories, enabling us to see how everything is affected. First we will look at the social effects - this is how people are affected. Next, we will examine the economic effects - how income for individual households and the whole economy of the country is affected. Thirdly is the environmental impact that a natural hazard has on an area. If we consider these categories, we will gain a good understanding of the effects both short term - immediately after the hazard occurred - and the long term effects, which can range from a few weeks to many years.

Volcanoes and Fold Mountains

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

In this title we are going to consider the characteristics of a volcano. This means exploring what they look like and what the correct terms are when we are drawing, labelling or writing about volcanoes. It is important in an exam that you can add case studies to any answer you give about volcanoes. Therefore, in this title we'll talk about the formation of Fold Mountains, the activity in the Alps, Mount St. Helens and the active Mount Etna in Sicily. It is important that you know the location, causes and effects of all of your case studies, as this is the best way for geographers to understand what is happening in a place.

Industrial Systems

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Industries are found all over the world. But how are industries organised? The first chapter looks at the four different sectors into which industries can fall. The terms primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary are all covered. It also covers industrial location, and shows why industries are built in certain places. The example used is the Toyota Car Plant in Derby. The second chapter covers the idea that industry is a system, with inputs, processes and outputs. The example we will think about is the manufacture of potato crisps, something which many people eat! We will also work out the difference between the human and physical inputs into the industrial system.

Modern Industry from 1990 to the Present Day

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The first chapter in this title is about footloose industries and the qualities which make them free to locate wherever they want. In the second chapter we will look at Science Parks, Business Parks and Greenfield Sites, looking particularly at Cambridge Science Park. Chapter three moves on to government policies, such as Enterprise Zones, and the investors who modernised the Docklands areas of London and Liverpool. Finally, chapter four covers the M4 corridor and Silicon Glen in Scotland.

NICs and TNCs

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Globalisation is something you need to be aware of when studying industry. In this title we will be thinking about countries which have recently developed, as well as considering some of the large, global companies. The first two chapters focus on NICs, or Newly Industrialised Countries, with the second chapter giving the example of Singapore. These are the modern-day economic success stories. Chapter three is about the kind of jobs that people do in LEDCs, in both the formal and informal sectors. The final two chapters focus on examples of TNCs, or transnational corporations. In this case, Nike is used to show how these types of companies work. To write a good answer in your exam, you need to be able to give a balanced viewpoint on TNCs.

Secondary Industry in the UK

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The first chapter in this title looks at the location factors of secondary industries. We will pose the question, what kind of things mattered to heavy industries in the UK? The concepts detailed include transport, site factors and government policies. The car industry is given as an example of a secondary industry in the UK. The second chapter studies the iron and steel industry in South Wales. The changing fortunes of this industry are covered in detail, looking at how the industry has adapted in order to survive. The third chapter covers the decline of heavy industry in the UK, considering the human and physical costs.

Case Study: China's One Child Policy

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

China currently has the largest population of any country in the world - over a sixth of the world's population lives there. Yet as a land mass, China occupies only about seven percent of the Earth's land surface, and much of that is uninhabitable due to the many mountainous and desert areas. China's One Child Policy, which started in 1979, has been successful in preventing about 300 million births, a similar number to the entire population of the USA. But it has had far-reaching and unintended consequences, and some people feel very strongly that the policy is flawed. This case study examines China's One Child Policy in detail and considers some of the issues surrounding it.

Population and Resources

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Demography is the name given to the study of human population, but it is important to remember that population numbers, distributions, structures and movements are continually changing. This has implications on future policies and planning. This title focuses on where these people live and how they are distributed, before going on to look at how the population is made up. It will then look at the causes and effects of migration and why some people are forced into leaving their own home. The Ganges Delta case study will be used as an example of a monsoon climate and the devastating effects this can have on an area, consequently leading to migration. And finally, the link will be made between population and resources - can we sustain current growth rates?

Tourism

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Tourism has grown rapidly over the past 50 or 60 years due to a number of factors, and has become the world's fastest growing industry.�The growth in tourism has brought about many benefits, but also many problems. Popular resorts and areas that have benefited from tourism are now beginning to find that they are being over-run by tourists and are being spoilt by the very thing they sought to develop. This title looks at some of the positives and negatives of tourism, from conflicts in National parks, coastal areas and cities to the problems faced by LEDCs as they introduce mass tourism. Finally, we will focus on whether sustainable tourism really has a future.

Coasts

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

A coastline is a section of land where the sea meets the land. The coastline has many distinctive features, some formed by erosion and some by the waves depositing material on or near the coastline. Coastal areas have long been used by people for living, working and enjoying leisure activities. For these reasons, we have often tried to protect the coastline from change. With the threat of climate change and rising sea-levels there has never been a more important time to understand what is happening along our coastline. This title examines the processes that form the features along our coastlines, before moving on to examine some of the management strategies that are used to preserve or protect coastal areas. Conflicts along the coastline and management issues are discussed, along with two case studies, the Holderness coastline and Barton-on Sea.

Features of a River

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

There is much truth in the proverb 'follow the river and you will find the sea'.�The fundamental aim of any river is to reach its base level, usually recognised as sea level.� Most landscapes owe both their existence and their continued moulding to the work done by rivers. This title focuses on the route of a river and the landforms it creates. On its journey from source to mouth, some of the typical features you may find include v-shaped valleys, interlocking spurs, waterfalls and gorges, as well as meanders, oxbow lakes, floodplains, levees and deltas. This title also looks at one river in particular and analyses its features - the Mississippi river.

River Basin Management

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title explores river basin management. Firstly, we will look at the causes and effects of flooding. These can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the river. Flooding tends to have more devastating effects in LEDCs, or less economically developed countries. However, there have been some recent cases of flooding in the UK. We will explore the techniques that are used to manage the river basin in the most effective way. Examples could be straightening a river, or using more ecologically friendly methods such as allowing some areas of a river to flood. We will explore the hydrological cycle and see how water travels around its network as a solid, liquid or gas. Finally, we examine how water is supplied throughout the United Kingdom, and who is responsible for ensuring that we all get a regular supply.

Rocks and Landforms

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

No matter where you live, you cannot help but notice the landscape around you. Whatever your local landscape is like, it has been formed by the types of underlying rocks and the processes at work on these rocks. Some rocks are more resistant than others, so it takes longer for them to be shaped by water and wind, but even the most resistant rocks have been continually altered, ever so slowly, over millions of years. Some landscapes, such as those found in the Lake District, are the result of processes no longer acting, like erosion by glaciers. But even these landscapes are still being continually altered by wind and rain. This title examines the processes at work on our landscapes, the scenery that is created when these processes act on three rock types, and the human uses of these areas.

Settlements

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

A settlement is a place where people live. They can vary in size, from a single house to somewhere as large as a mega city. Settlements can be permanent or temporary and can be grouped using a variety of criteria. A settlement can be classed as dispersed - that is an isolated building or a group of two or three buildings; nucleated, when several buildings are grouped together; or linear, where buildings are strung out along a line of communication such as a main road. These types of settlements can all be spotted on an Ordnance Survey map. During the course of this title we will investigate the different criteria used to describe settlements, before looking at how cities are defined. We will also discuss how urbanisation has many causes and effects, such as conflict on the rural-urban fringe.

Case Study: The Sahel

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This Case Study is also available in the topics: Ecosystems; Farming; Weather and Climate; Development

Water Supply

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title examines how water is an essential part of our lives. In More Economically Developed Countries, or MEDCs, we often forget how important water is because it is readily available to us and we know it is safe to drink. In Less Economically Developed Countries or LEDCs, people often have to collect their own water, sometimes needing to travel many miles for it. They are sometimes unsure of the quality of their water, and may have no choice other than to drink unsafe water. This can have devastating consequences, such as fatal water-borne diseases like cholera. The demand for water is rising and increasing the need to obtain and store water in some areas, to ensure there is a constant supply. We will look at some of the agency support provided, particularly in LEDCs, such as WaterAid and Oxfam.

Case Study: Hurricane Katrina

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Hurricane Katrina, which struck the southern United States of America in August 2005, was the costliest natural disaster in America's history. Among Atlantic hurricanes it was the sixth strongest ever recorded, and one of the five deadliest. A hurricane is a tropical depression with winds of 74 miles per hour or higher. Once a tropical storm has winds reaching 39 miles per hour it is given a name. The storms are given names to help identify them for the warning services, and to reduce confusion when there are two or more hurricanes in the ocean at the same time. Once a storm like Katrina has caused substantial damage or death, the name is retired and not used again. This case study investigates Hurricane Katrina and the damage it caused.

Case Study: The Sahel

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This Case Study is also available in the topics: Ecosystems; Water Supply; Farming; Development

Case Study: The Three Gorges Dam

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The Three Gorges Dam in China is the world's largest hydroelectric power project. It sets records for the number of people displaced - more than 1.2 million; number of cities and towns flooded - 13 cities, 140 towns, 1350 villages; and length of reservoir - more than 600 kilometres. The Three Gorges Dam has been beset by controversy, not least because of the resettlement difficulties, the environmental damage and the human rights violations. This case study will examine why the Three Gorges Dam was needed, the effects it has had and how the dam could have been managed more sustainably.

Global Warming

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

Global warming is just one aspect of a phenomenon known as �climate change'. Climate change is arguably the biggest challenge facing our planet. The impacts of climate change are much more subtle than just the planet heating up and resulting in hotter temperatures. The possible consequences are much more complex and far-reaching than this. This title examines the causes of global warming, the possible consequences and the strategies that have been implemented, or those which may be needed, to tackle global warming and climate change.

The Hydrosphere

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

This title focuses on the hydrosphere, which means all of the water on earth. This water can be in the form of a solid, a liquid or a gas. The hydrological cycle looks at how water interacts in all of these different forms, and how it moves around the planet being stored and transferred as it goes. Water is very difficult to manage as there are many complex processes involved. When there is too much water in an area flooding is likely to occur, but with effective management the impacts can be minimised, and flooding can even be prevented in some cases. When there is not enough water in an area, it can suffer from drought and become desertified. Strategies can be implemented to help areas that are suffering the effects of drought.�Let's find out more about the hydrosphere!

Weather and Climate

feeds@gcsepod.co.uk (GCSEPod Feeds) — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100

The climate of a place is the average weather conditions measured over a�30 year period. It refers to the expected temperature and precipitation, rather than the actual conditions. �Precipitation' most commonly refers to rain, but it can also mean snow, sleet and hail. Weather is the day to day atmospheric condition of a place, including temperature, wind and precipitation. This can change frequently and can be described at a localised level. This title examines the aspects that make up the weather and climate of the British Isles. It also discusses several aspects of our weather in more depth, such as depressions, anticyclones and tropical storms. We will also explore whether people can influence weather and climate. Chapter Five deals with how humans interact with weather and climate, and Chapter Six outlines the issues surrounding global warming.