Regional Geography- Development of Paris as an Urban Area

Examine the factors which have influenced the development of one urban area in a European region (not Ireland) that you have studied.

The European urban area I have studied is Paris in France. 12 million people live in the city of Paris, with 25 million in the whole Paris basin. Due to this huge population, the city now extends over an area of 100km. This urban sprawl led to the creation of five new towns on the city's perimeter to accommodate for the overspill from the city. Marne-la-Vallée is an example of one of these towns, with a population of over 100,00 people. Many urban renewal programmes have also been put in place by the French government to improve the inner city. 

As the city of Paris was developed during medieval times on a bridging point and as a defensive settlement on the River Seine, many problems have developed such as traffic congestion, urban decay and inner city decline. To deal with these problems, the French government developed a scheme called 'Schéma Directeur' in 1964 to control growth and improve suburban areas in the city. The scheme involves protecting historical buildings, investing in public transport, urban renewal and regeneration projects in the older run down areas of the inner city. It also includes the development of suburban nodes or growth centers like shopping centers and the development of new towns along with decentralization of services from the city. These methods have all improves the development of the Paris Basin.

The Paris Basin is nowadays the most popular destination for immigrants to France with 1.3 million of all French migrants living there. Due to immigration of thousands from China, Eastern Europe and North and West Africa in Paris, problems can arise in poorer parts of the city. These areas can then develop into ghettos. With many immigrants still on the edges of French society, this can lead to poverty, youth unemployment and unequal opportunities. In 2005, terrible riots took place after 2 North African youths were killed for hiding from the police. Controversy has also developed due to the French governments restrictions on wearing headscarves. Riots took place due to this racial discrimination to Islamic women. Since the 1980's, due to these problems migration out of the region has increased due to recent job losses and strict immigration laws. All of the factors above have led to the development of Paris as an urban centre.

Physical Geography- Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks

Explain the formation of sedimentary rocks and explain briefly how they may be transformed into metamorphic rocks, with reference to Irish examples you have studied.

Sedimentary rocks were formed millions of years ago when the remains of animals and plants built up and compacted and cemented to form solid rock. Sedimentary rocks form in layers . This is because over time the rock fragments and remains of plants and animals build up in stratified layers. Each stratified layer is separated from the next by bedding planes, There are 2 types of sedimentary rocks: organic and inorganic. Limestone is an organic sedimentary rock. It is the most common rock type in Ireland and formed from the cemented remains of fish and other sea creatures. Limestone is made up of bedding planes containing vertical cracks called joints, which make the rock permeable. The Burren in Co. Clare is a well-known limestone region. Sandstone is an inorganic sedimentary rock. Sandstone is formed when rock sediments laid down in layers and over time each successive layer is compressed to the next layer. Most of the sandstone in Ireland is old red sandstone and was formed approximately 400 million years ago. Sandstone can be found in the Comeragh mountains, Co. Waterford and the Macgillycuddy Reeks, Co. Kerry.

Metamorphic rocks are formed when the appearance, texture and chemical composition of igneous or sedimentary are changed by great heat or pressure, or both. This can happen in 2 ways. Thermal metamorphism occurs when rocks are exposed to the heat of magma alone and this changes their composition. Regional metamorphism occurs due to great heat and pressure over a large region due to colliding plates and rising magma. With metamorphism, limestone is changed into marble. This is a hard crystalline rock of various colours and can be found in Connemara, Co. Galway. Sandstone is changed into quartzite. This is a light-coloured rock, often white, and can be found in the Great Sugarloaf Mountain, Co. Wicklow and Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo. 

Physical Geography- Prediction and Effects of Earthquakes

Explain how the occurrence of earthquakes can be predicted and how the effects of earthquakes can be reduced with reference to examples you have studied

An earthquake is the shaking or vibration of the Earth's crust. Earthquakes occur due to the movement of tectonic plates where the crust is under extreme pressure. Scientists have developed different methods of earthquake prediction to allow people enough time to prepare for the negative effects. Seismologists study the seismic history of the region because as soon as one earthquake occurs, pressure and tension begins to build up again. They also look for patterns of seismic activity to calculate the likelihood of an earthquake occurring. The longer the time since the last earthquake, the more imminent the next one is. Instruments called tiltmeters record changes in land levels. A bulge in the land may indicate a build up of pressure on the plates. Scientists may also look for signs of disturbance like foreshocks. Animal behaviour may also predict earthquake activity as animals tend to behave strangely before an earthquake.

The ability of a country to limit the effects of earthquakes is directly linked to its level of economic development. Developed countries will often have earthquake-proof buildings in regions prone to earthquake activity. These buildings use flexible columns to allow for movement. Building construction and bridges in these regions will be fire-proof. The buildings will be constructed on stable ground where liquefaction is not possible. Also, they region will regularly practice evacuation and safety plans to reduce deal with emergencies. These resources are much less available in developing countries.

An example of an earthquake I have studied is the Haitian earthquake of January 2010. This earthquake occurred on January 12 and measured 7.0 on the Richter Scale. Its epicenter was 25km west of Port-au-Prince. The effects of the earthquake were felt in several countries, including Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rica and the Dominican Republic. The earthquake occurred on the boundary between the Caribbean and the North-American Plate. As Haiti is a developing country, they were not well equipped to deal with an earthquake of this magnitude. Since the earthquake, over 200,000 people have been affected by cholera. The earthquake damaged infrastructure, which made it difficult to disperse aid. It is estimated that 300,000 died, over 300,000 were injured and 1 million were left homeless. Following the earthquake, seismologists started to examine the building up of pressure along the fault line to predict and reduce the effects of future earthquakes.

Geography Economic Elective- Colonialism

Examine the impact of colonialism on any developing economy you have studied

A developing economy I have studied that has been affected by colonialism is India. Colonialism is the domination of areas by powerful countries, primarily for economic gain. The changes in India's economic development is directly related to it's colonial past.

India was a British colony until it gained independence in 1947. Under the British Empire, unprocessed raw materials from India were used to fuel the economy of the colonial power. As a result, cash crops like tea, coffee, jute, spices and rubber took over from traditional food crops and caused major changes in native agricultural activities. The establishment of large plantations saw land removed from peasant ownership. These plantations were also established in the most fertile areas, which had a negative impact on food production for local people. India's industrial output was also limited so that it would not compete with  it's colonial power Britain. 

Prior to colonialism, India had well-developed craft manufacturing industries, especially textiles. It also had a good labour force and access to raw materials. However, under British rule, these industries were forced into decline to allow British products to access the large Indian market. Britain also wanted the unprocessed raw materials for its own economic gain. It processed these raw materials and India in turn bought back the more expensive finished product from Britain. The British Empire also failed to invest in India's infrastructure, They did, however, develop ports, such as Mumbai. Chennai and Kolkata. They also developed a long railway network. Both of these investments were for their own gain so that they could transport the raw materials easily and then export them back to Britain. Over time, India's trade became dependent on Britain. India produced raw materials and cash crops, while Britain became a key economic power in the production and sale of finished goods in the developed and developing world. Taxes were also placed on the Indian population, and these were paid to the British Empire. 

Under colonialism, India suffered greatly as the economy, raw materials and labour were exploited by Britain.