Unit 1: The Global Gap

1.1. Introduction to the Global Gap

Copy of 1. Global Gap Introduction.ppt

The Most Popular Map Of The World Is Highly Misleading

Because the Earth is roughly spherical, every flat map distorts our planet one way or another.

The most popular version is the Mercator projection, created by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569. It's been widely used for centuries, including today in various forms by Google Maps and many other online services. This map preserves directional bearing, presenting rhumbs (imaginary lines that cut all meridians at the same angle) as straight lines, thus making it a useful tool for navigation.

Despite its benefits, the Mercator projection drastically distorts the size and shape of objects approaching the poles. This may be the reason people have no idea how big some places really are.

A few major misconceptions based on this map:

Alaska is nearly as large as the continental U.S.
Greenland is roughly the same size as Africa.
Europe (excluding Russia) is only a bit larger than South America.
Antarctica dwarfs all the continents.

In reality:

Alaska can fit inside the continental U.S. about three times.
Greenland can fit inside Africa about 14 times.
South America nearly doubles Europe's land mass.
Antarctica looks like the second-smallest continent.

Now, an astute reader may avoid these errors by noting the elongation of latitudes in parts of the map. But to most people, the Mercator projection is highly misleading.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/mercator-projection-v-gall-peters-projection-2013-12

Changing Maps (The West Wing)

MEDCs and LEDCs

MEDCs are countries which have a high standard of living and a large GDP. LEDCs are countries with a low standard of living and a much lower GDP.

The map shows the locations of LEDCs and MEDCs. Most of the southern hemisphere is less developed, while countries in the northern hemisphere are more developed.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zs7wrdm/revision/2

MEDCs and LEDCs

Measuring Development

There is no single way to calculate the level of development because of the variety of economies, cultures and peoples. Geographers use a series of development indicators to compare the development of one region against another. For example:

Health. Do the population have access to medical care? What level of healthcare is available - basic or advanced? Is it free?
Industry. What type of industry dominates? LEDCs focus on primary industries, such as farming, fishing and mining. MEDCs focus on secondary industries, such as manufacturing. The most advanced countries tend to focus more on tertiary or service industries, such as banking and information technology.
Education. Do the population have access to education? Is it free? What level of education is available (ie primary, secondary or further/higher education)?

Source: http://www.oxnotes.com/measuring-development---learn-gcse-geography.html

Why some countries are poor and others rich

Mind mapping tools

1.2. The World as 100 People Infographic

1. The World As 100 People Infographic Instructions

If the World Were 100 People

If the World were 100 PEOPLE: https://www.100people.org/statistics_detailed_statistics.php & https://www.businessinsider.com/what-the-world-would-be-like-if-it-were-only-100-people-2018-3

2 If The World Were 100 People Resource Worksheet(1).docx

Copy of 3. The World as 100 People Reflection.docx

1.3. Poverty Simulation Game

1. Povery Simulation Game Instructions(1)

Ayiti: The Cost of Life

Ayiti is a social economic development game based on preventing poverty in Haiti.

Play Ayiti

You get to help a Haitian family in their efforts to obtain an education for their children and improve their quality of life, during a 4 year period, involving Rainy, Summer, Hurricane and Dry seasons. Situations will develop which will change the conditions of the family Ayiti” is “Haiti in Haitian Creole.

The game shows the significance of education in reducing poverty and inequality, improving health and social well-being, being the cornerstone for sustained economic growth, facilitating the building of democratic societies and globally competitive economies and the means by which people can attain basic human rights and equal opportunities. It provides an overview of poverty in Haiti and the affects of living in poverty in Haiti and a family’s struggles to obtain education and improve its overall quality of life.

Players select strategies from 4 categories:

Health – the most important factor to take care of. If the whole family dies, you lose the

game.

Happiness – is attained by watching your health, getting some education and working hard

Education – is of primary importance. It is how you acquire better jobs and win the game.

Money – the way to win the game. Try to make as much money as possible.

Each family member has a set of statistics in 3 areas of significance: Wellness – general health; Happiness – emotional well-being and Education – current education. Players work through all seasons dealing in these 3 strategy areas. Due to unexpected illnesses, accidents or the death of a family member, children may have to skip school to earn money to help support the family due to prevailing hardships.

Work choices are: Farm Hand; Volunteer by helping NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in community service projects trying to alleviate poverty in Haiti; Mechanic Assistant and Construction Worker. Some jobs are unpleasant, and some you are unqualified for or lack the necessary educational requirements. Players also make choices involving areas such as:

Family Farm – working the farm to make money so that you are not living in poverty

Rest at Home – which helps avoid illness and stress but doesn’t have you earning money

School – making choices about schools Private ‘Lottery’ School, as opposed to Protestant School and their varying qualities of education

Hospital – choosing health care options between clinic or hospital, and attempting to obtain serious, but costly medicine with a high cure rate

Store – when you make money you can buy:

Toys – for your children’s enjoyment
Home Remedies – medicinal tea
Books and Supplies – to help with education
New Shoes – to make work significantly easier
School Uniforms – to help your children get into a better school
Radio – to obtain news and entertainment
Bicycle – to travel a greater distance in a day which will open up new opportunities to alleviate living in poverty in Haiti
Bed – a family bed will give the family better rest and improve your quality of life
Livestock – generates extra family income, easing poverty in Haiti
Interior Plumbing – improves sanitary conditions
Home Computer – facilitates education and improves happiness
New House – which will be in better shape than the old home, provide more space for your family, improving quality of life

The family also has a monthly budget total of expenses involving: school tuition; living conditions; and items in the store. Running out of money has serious consequences, since the family runs out of food and a downward spiral ensues. Your mission is to try to keep the family healthy and happy for the 4 year period. The game is over if both parents die. However, if they survive, your success is measured in terms of the education your family receives. The more baccalaureates in your family the better you were able to assist them.

After each season players a breakdown of their: Starting Money, Earned Money, Spent Money and the Grand Total.

Source: https://www.ecogamer.org/social-activism/ayiti-the-cost-of-life/

Copy of 2. Poverty Simulation Worksheet.docx

Copy of 3. Poverty Simulation_ What Is It Like To Be Poor.docx