Ignite Presentation

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Gapminder Screencast and Analysis

       In my first variable set, I chose to compare life expectancy to GDP per capita. Understandably, as life expectancy increased, so did GDP per capita. This makes sense because (generally) the higher the GDP, the more money available for  health care, which can equate to longer lives. In the second variable set, I compared total fertility rate to GDP. As total fertility increased, GDP decreased. High total fertility rates are usually associated with less developed countries that usually have low GDP, that's why total fertility rate increases while GDP decreases.

       Generally, the countries with the highest fertility rates are in Africa and the Middle East. I think this is because kids in these regions are an economic benefit since they can provide labor. The people with the longest life expectancy are usually from rich Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. This is the case because of their mostly healthy diet and lifestyle The countries with the highest GDP per capita's are generally in core countries in western Europe, North America and East Asia because these are the regions that have the biggest impact financially on the global market.

Crossing The Line GIS Activity

View Larger Map I chose Denmark, Norway, and Sweden as potential countries to form together into one country. The border for this new country encompasses all three current countries, including all of the islands that belong to them. For the country that might split, I chose Belgium. The new border for these two countries would cut straight down the middle of the current country horizontally with a proruption to include Brussels in the southern country.

    I think Denmark, Norway, and Sweden could form a large, peaceful country for many reasons. Firstly, all three countries have the same form of government; a constitutional monarchy. Next, although the three countries speak different languages, the three languages are mutually intelligible. Finally, the climate and geography of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are very similar so they cope with much of the same weather. Belgium on the other hand is not doing well together. For starters, the people of the northern part of Belgium speak Flemish, while the people of the south speak French. Plus, there is a major economic divide between the people of the north and the people of the south.

    The boundary around Denmark, Norway, and Sweden is a cultural and physical boundary. It’s partly a cultural boundary because the border is separating off the new country from surrounding countries with different cultural traits. It’s partially physical because the Atlantic Ocean is a large part of the border. The new border in Belgium would be a cultural boundary because the people in the north and south of Belgium are culturally diverse; the people in the North speak Flemish and the people in the South speak French.

   The new country borders would be beneficial for each one of them. The combined country (Sweden, Denmark, and Norway) would benefit by having a larger population and therefore more resources, economic income, and political power. Both Northern and Southern Belgium would benefit from the divide because each new country would be more unified and peaceful. Overall, combining Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, and dividing Belgium, would be a very beneficial change for many reasons.

Cultural Geography Photo Collage