Critical Thinking for the Modern World

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The human mind is a magnificent thing. It allows us to analyze our surroundings, and make decisions based on our own analysis of facts. These questions allow you to do that! Express your opinions on the questions presented here based on the facts you have analyzed from this course of study.

This activity contains 7 questions.

Even though a number of European states have come together to form the European Monetary Union (EMU) and many will eventually merge into the European Union, there are restive European countries whose populations want independence rather than merging into a supranational organization. The Separatist, Independence, and Decentralization Movements Web site contains information and contacts to most of the world's separatist movements.

Using these and other references of your choice, do you believe that an eventual European Union of States can and will occur? Why or why not? Please use citations.

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The European Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro represent the most ambitious regional economic union ever attempted. If EMU is sustained effectively over time, it will likely provide considerable stimulus to economic growth and competitiveness within those EU states that enter it, and enhance Europe's overall global economic position. The euro itself could also become an international reserve currency and a competitor to the dollar.

In this article by Paul Tooher, the author reports on the history and culmination of the euro in detail. Provide a summary of the main points and then argue whether or not you believe this monetary union will eventually lead to a union of European states, and why.

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Is there a European identity? And, if there is, how does it express itself? Go beyond the European descriptions in your textbook and, with the help of Internet resources, describe (with citations) what the state of European identity is now that we have the European Union. The history of Europe reaches far into the past, but the history of European integration is much more recent -- and so cannot be encapsulated in a monolithic identity, forged by centuries of unity.

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Europe's Black Triangle is an area of environmental degradation that Europeans and the rest of the world should examine and heed in order to prevent other such ecological catastrophes from taking place elsewhere. In your textbook, the authors explain in Geography in Action some of the reasons for the existence of the Black Triangle.

Explain by using information you have read from your text, and internet sources, what has caused this phenomenon which is centered over the nations of Czechia and Slovakia. Explain what forest death is and how it comes about. Also explain what causes acid rain.

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A vast majority of Europe's producer service industries can be found in a large circular area of the continent that stretches (see map) from London's M-4 Corridor, then south toward Paris, southeast toward Milan, then north toward Zurich, Frankfort, and then northwest toward Amsterdam. Your textbook refers to these areas in Geography in Action (Chapter 9) as technopoles.

Just what are technopoles? Technopoles are not all centered in the region just described, but most are. Explain from your reading in the textbook what types of business products and services are being produced in many technopoles in this first decade of the 21st century, and how this is a change from the economic base of this region of Europe from previous decades since the conclusion of World War II.

As mentioned, there are some smaller technopoles outside of the core area of Europe, and one such technopole center is Helsinki, Finland. What type of products are being produced for world markets in Helsinki?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

7th Edition, Chapter 8, Pg. 164, Figure 8-7- Rolling Hills of Western Ireland

From an examination of this picture of the "rolling hills of western Ireland" a viewer can discern many things. What is your impression of Ireland from this picture? What can you tell about the town that is pictured without knowing anything else about it? What can you tell about the climate of Ireland, and the topography of the region shown in this picture? How does this picture of Ireland compare to a region in the United States such as the American southwest from what you have already learned from reading your textbook?

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7th Edition, Chapter 9, Pg. 192, Figure 9-17 - Seaside resort in Spain

The nation of Spain has come a long way forward both socially and politically since its time under the rule of the fascist dictator Francisco Franco, who died in 1975. Now Spain is one of the constitutional monarchies of Europe with an elected legislative body. Aside from its political regeneration, Spain has become a vacation destination for both Europeans and Americans as seen in the above photograph of a seaside resort in Spain. Geographers often reference a region's climate when studying any part of the world.

What kind of climate is found along the coastal regions of Spain? Describe the Spanish coastal climate by using your textbook and relevant internet sources to answer this question.

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

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