Mainland and Rimland Cultural Areas of Middle America - Essay Example

This report highlights the material on Geography including answers of some informative questions on the The diagnostic characteristics of Mainland and Rimland culture areas of Middle America are briefly described. Some important facts and figures regarding United States’ geography are also discussed. Moreover, pros and cons of tourism in Caribbean Islands are briefly enclosed as well. In the last part of the report, the altitudinal zonation model for Latin America showing elevations, names of the zones along with climate diversity is described with the help of a diagram. Last but not the least; deforestation is discussed which is being forecast as pending disaster in Amazonia, Brazil. Some important points are highlighted in this report including the reasons of upcoming disaster and its consequences on the overall economy. Answer 1: Diagnostic characteristics involve the regional, economic, social and cultural differences between Mainland and Rimland cultural areas of Middle America. A well known geographer, John Augelli has highlighted these characteristics and identified Euro- Amerindian as Mainland culture and Euro- African as Rimland culture. It is important to note here that Middle America has great cultural diversity and these groups are considered a main reason of this diversity. RIMLAND Culture Areas of Middle America Robert B, Kent (2006) has explained that in the areas of Middle America, the RIMLAND population and culture reflect a blend of Euro- African influences. This cultural group covers the areas of West Indies as well as the areas running along east part of Central America. Moreover, RIMLAND cultures are also linked with northern nations of Europe including Great Britain, France and Netherlands. Different European colonies have also emerged that are composed of this cultural group. Rimland cultural group is largely associated with agriculture and plantation economy. Commercial trend of agriculture is also common in this group. Moreover, they are also serving as efficient workers in labor market and various factories. Mainland Culture Areas of Middle America The Euro- Amerindian population of Middle America is associated with Mainland culture. In the beginning, this cultural group prefers to live in Spanish colonies due to the cultural orientations. Nowadays, Mainland cultural group enjoys high estates in Central America. They are self sufficient people associated with agriculture and industry. Answer 2: Chula Vista, Ca is the twin city of Tijuana. This city lies in the south of California in the United States. The main economic activity of this city is tourism. Answer 3: Most often it is widely claimed that Mexico is the most populated and too crowded country. Among Central American countries, Mexico has the highest population density and recently it is 55 persons per sq. km. However, in Mexico, resources are also available to support the population and technology is also available to assist high density of population in order to meet with the requirements of modern day world. Answer 4: Historically, sugar plantation has had a large impact on Lesser Antilles also known as Caribbean Islands. In some parts of this volcanic island arc that is situated at western hemisphere, remnants of the old sugar plantation systems are still found. Such parts especially include the areas of Cuba. So, sugar plantation can be termed as the principal plantation crop of Lesser Antilles. Answer 5: Caribbean countries have been experiencing increase in tourism to a great extent since 1970. The islands of these countries are striving hard to enhance and maintain their share in the tourism industry. The old islands are improving with the passage of time to attract more and more customers. On the other hand, some new islands have also been established which are also trying to capture most of the portion of the tourism industry and to expand tourism in their countries. However, whether or not steps should be taken for tourism expansion, the countries must determine the benefits and drawbacks associated with the expansion of tourism in their countries. It should also be ensured that the benefits exceed the drawbacks of the tourism expansion. While explaining the pros and cons, Tricia Lobo (2012) has expressed, Tourism Economic and Social Pros: Tourism brings a number of economic benefits to the country. It is a great source of bringing foreign exchange in the country and also creates jobs at all levels. It is also a great source of government revenues. Countries which are bestowed with beautiful beaches and other tourists resorts, such as that of Caribbean countries earn a major portion of their revenues by such means. The expansion in the tourism industry also results in the expansion of many other associated industries. These industries include the industries of hotel management, service providing enterprises etc. The tourism in Caribbean countries has also brought positive impacts on their cultural values with an increased appreciation by the tourists. This has increased the awareness regarding Caribbean culture. The historical traditions are also being celebrated by the local people. The historical sites of these countries are also given more attention by the governments now due to increased interest of tourists in these sites. The trade industry has also been flourished due to trade of the local arts. Thus, the trade of such arts and crafts has now become a more profitable industry. Thus, tourism has socially strengthened the cultural values and beliefs of the Caribbean people and has also helped in better maintenance of historical sites. Tourism Economic and Social Cons: Besides the associated benefits, the tourism also has some negative impacts on the Caribbean countries economies. The tourism has made the economy of the Caribbean countries exposed to the outside world and also very much dependent on the advices of such countries. The increased dependence on tourism has also made it very much important for these countries to maintain good relations with all countries at any cost. Moreover, the critics also argue that most of the portion of foreign exchange goes to the foreign investors. These investors own hotels on Caribbean islands, the transportation system and the communication system that is necessary for the tourists. They also argue that the tourism has created a great difference between the wages of unskilled labor and the workers that perform management services for the tourists. This has demotivated the lower level less skilled employees. The critics of tourism in Caribbean countries also argue that the increased tourism has also destroyed the social and cultural life of the people of those countries. The tourism is also blamed for the development of criminal sector. This is due to the influx of people and goods in the country without any control over their entry. Moreover, the arrival of luxurious goods and services in the Caribbean countries due to increased tourism has been deemed by many critics to be a source of increase of materialism in the Caribbean culture. In many instances, the concerns of the tourism industry are often preferred to the concerns of the people of the region. This sometimes result in the destruction of the environment and sometimes, ruins the social and cultural life of the Caribbean people completely. Answer 6: Source: Pojer, S. (2012) Answer 7: In Amazonia Brazil, deforestation is being forecast as a pending disaster which may produce serious impact on the economy as Amazon forests are the main contributor in economic growth of this area. Reasons of Brazilian Amazon Pending Disaster: Rhett A Butler (2010) has explained that the pending disaster of Amazonia can be greatly linked to land cleaning that is carried out especially on pasturelands. Lands are cleaning for speculative and commercial interests. The forests are widely exploiting day by day just because of investment and commercial purposes as well as insufficient government policies against forest cutting. For effective planning, it is required that the issues regarding deforestation must be addressed at the earliest as the economy of these areas depend on forests of the region. However, the issue of deforestation is not properly addressing because local people are greatly involved in this cutting and degradation process. Another reason of this removal of forest resources is that many large landowners are trying to convert large sections of Amazon for cattle breeding. They prefer to clear the large tract of lands and plant grasses for their cattle. So, the favor of pasturelands over the natural resources is continuously causing deforestation in the areas. Moreover, favorable taxation plans offered by the government, commercial agricultural subsidizes, logging, colonization agendas and infrastructure improvements are also the running contributors towards forest degradation process. Some other causes of forest loss and pending disaster in this region involve fires that are done by plantation owners and small farmers for forest cleaning. Furthermore, it is also a place where violent acts and conflicts between poor farmers, indigenous groups and landowners are also usual worsening the situation in Amazon forests. Consequences of Deforestation Amazon forests are unique natural resources offering wood at one end as well as shelter for many animals. However, these forests are gone day by day due to ill planning and bad government policies. However, we should work in order to preserve these natural resources which are priceless. It should also be kept in mind that the destruction of Amazon forests may lead into widespread consequences. The deforestation of Amazon may result into flooding as well as great climatic changes. These changes may result in the deaths of million living organisms and destruction of natural treasures. Actually Amazon forests and plants protect the area from flooding, famine and drought and soil erosion. Moreover, it also contributes some plants that have medicinal properties and widely using in the treatment of various diseases. So, deforestation may greatly result in the loss of such valued plants. Although it is hard to predict the future but we must stop this devastation process as soon as possible otherwise our generations will suffer the consequences. References: 1. Geo- Maxico- the Geography and Dynamics of Modern Mexico. “Mexico’s population density compared to other countries. Is Mexico too crowded?” 2011. 13 April 2012 . 2. Tricia, Lobo. “Pros and Cons of Caribbean Tourism.” 2012. 13 April 2012 . 3. Pojer, S, “The Geography of Latin America.” 2012. 14 April 2012 4. Butler, R. “Deforestation in the Amazon.” 2012. 14 April 2012 . 5. Effects of Deforestation. “Amazon Rainforest Deforestation.” 14 April 2012 . 6. Robert B. Kent. Latin America: Regions and People. New York: Guilford Publications, Inc. 2006. Print. 7. Middle America: Mainland/ Rimland. 14 April 2012 . 8. Augelli, J. Wiley Online Library. “The Rimland- Mainland Concept of Culture Areas in Middle America.” 2005. . Read More