General Information By: Eleanor Joyce City fo Salem Schools

Culture the way of life of a group of people with common tradition, interests, and beliefs. The way people meet their needs history, government, language, religious beliefs, art, literature, and music.

Cultures are shaped by the ways groups of people make a living. The earliest form of economic activity was farming. hunters and gathers farmers excess of food led to trading products some people had time to make craft products to trade. People settled in civilizations and traded with each other

Farming today--one half of the world’s people make their living through agriculture. Traditional farming or subsistence farming- growing only enough food for your family Commercial farming- raising farm products to sell fertilizers and pesticides have helped produce large quantities of food.

Industry-a business that produces goods or services. Developed Countries-countries that produce great quantities of goods and services and employ many people. People usually have enough food, shelter, health care and all basic needs are met. High life expectancy. Developing Countries- countries that do not have modern industry and technology. People live has their ancestors lived. Have poor distribution of income, clothing, and housing. Poor health care, little food, and low life expectancy.

The world’s population is not growing the same in each country. Population growth is determined by the relationship between its birthrate and its death rate When the rates are equal, a coun-try has reached zero population growth. Mostly industrialized countries have a zero population growth.

In developing countries, the birthrate is growing rapidly. Death rate is decreasing due to improved medical care. Challenges of rapid population growth: shortages of food, clothing, and housing. Rapid use of nonrenewable resources.

Population distribution is not equal around the world. People live where the soil is fertile water is available the climate is favorable for growing crops and raising animals.

Population density- the average number of people in a square mile or square kilometer. Some countries such as India have a high population density. Some countries such as Canada has a low population density.

Environmental Challenges Natural occurrences tornados hurricanes earthquakes tsunami volcano eruptions

Man made environmental hazards Pollution unclean or impure elements affect the: air -caused by burning fossil fuels, garbage and trash--air pollution is bad for people’s health, plants, animals, and destroys buildings. Water- oil spills, industrial waste, untreated sewage. Polluted water goes through the food chain.

Soil pollution: main causes are fertilizers and pesticides. Polluted soil can contaminate fertile, food-producing soils. Solid wastes: billions of tons of tires, cans, plastics, scrap metals. Dumps breeds diseases from disease carrying animals such as rats. Industrial wastes- Nuclear power plants create radioactive wastes. Chemicals are poured into streams.

People and industry are trying to clean up the pollution. Governments are trying to regulate pollution on the planet. EPA

Cultural Origins History- study the written information about a people’s past to learn what, how, and shy things happened. Prehistory-the time before written records Archaeologists- scientist that study the sites where people once lived to find out about their culture. The study of artifacts or remains from the past to learn how people lived

Cultural Hearths are places where civilization began. They all developed in mild climates along river banks. Egypt (Nile) Iraq (Tigris & Euphrates) Pakistan (Indus) China (Yangtze/Yellow)

Cultural Change- cultures change from both internal and outside influences. Within a culture, inventions and discoveries can promote change. Cultural diffusion- the spread of culture, ideas, practices, and goods from one culture to another.

Cultural Contacts were made through: trade travel-migration

Times in history when great change occurred: Age of Discovery Industrial Revolution Ancient Greece and Rome Renaissance Rise of Nations and a feeling of nationalism.

Cultural Barriers: deserts high mountains rain forests large bodies of water customs and beliefs language