This is an affectionate name for people who reside in the Northern parts of the United States and other harsh winter climate areas of the world. These individuals flock to the southern regions of the U.S. to enjoy a mild winter nearly every year.
http://www.floridareview.co.uk/history/florida-snowbirds.asp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIpqBtDAo70&feature=channel
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
IT'S AMAZING
It's amazing that there are 195 countries in this world with a population of over 6.7 billion people, and of these 195 countries one country accounts for nearly 20% of the the population, China. China contributes over 1.3 billion people to planet earth's population. This a very interesting fact that needs to known.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Population concentration and density.
There are two basic properties of population--concentration and density. These are what geographers consider in studying the number of people and available resources in heavily populated areas and sparse areas. Two-thirds of the world's population is concentrated in four different regions: East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Western Europe. The rest is in sparsely occupied areas.
The heavily populated regions mentioned are similar through their proximity to or near rivers or water. They also are similar in that they are in fertile areas and temperate climates. Sparsely populated areas are too dry, wet, cold, or mountainous for activities such as agriculture.
Population density is the number of people occupying an area of land that can be computed in several different ways--arithmetic density, physiological density and agricultural density.
The arithmetic density is the number of people divided by the land area. The physiological density is a more meaningful population measure and is computed by looking at the number of people per area of a certain type of land. Agricultural density is the ratio of the number of farmers in the amount of arable land.
Population concentration and density therefore plays a major role in the geographer's study of population.
The heavily populated regions mentioned are similar through their proximity to or near rivers or water. They also are similar in that they are in fertile areas and temperate climates. Sparsely populated areas are too dry, wet, cold, or mountainous for activities such as agriculture.
Population density is the number of people occupying an area of land that can be computed in several different ways--arithmetic density, physiological density and agricultural density.
The arithmetic density is the number of people divided by the land area. The physiological density is a more meaningful population measure and is computed by looking at the number of people per area of a certain type of land. Agricultural density is the ratio of the number of farmers in the amount of arable land.
Population concentration and density therefore plays a major role in the geographer's study of population.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Super Bowl
Here's a way to amaze (or bore the heck out of) your friends at your Super Bowl party. The U.S. Census Bureau "has compiled a collection of facts examining the demographics of the host area (Tampa), as well as the cities represented by the contenders (Phoenix and Pittsburgh), in this year’s edition of our nation’s most celebrated sporting event."
WEEK THREE- Population
This week's theme is fairly broad - anything related to demographic issues. That can include migration, population growth, mortality, population implosion (shrinking)...
Bollywood - India's version of Hollywood
Bollywood is the informal term used for the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry in India. Bollywood is not the only producer of films in the country, but it is one of the largest.
The name is derived from Hollywood and Bombay (the former name for Mumbai). Though compared to Hollywood, Bollywood is not a physical place.The films mostly consist of 3 hour long musicals. Originally, the moves were in Hindi and Urdu, but English is become more common in dialogue and songs.The first feature film made in India was in 1913 and was a silent movie. The first film with sound was in 1931. The first color film was made in 1937. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the movies were primarily romance movies with action involved, but by the mid-70s, violent, action-filled films became more prevalent. In the 1990s, "family-centric romantic musicals" were the rage. Today, films have become very advanced with technology and there are many Western influences. There are also movies being made similar to movies made in the United States. For example, "Chachi 420" is similar to "Mrs. Doubtfire," and "Partner" is similar to "Hitch."
Indian popular cinema has been influenced by the ancient Indian epics, ancient Sanskrit drama, traditional folk theater (mainly regional), Parsi theater, Hollywood (especially musicals), and Western musical television (especially MTV).
The plots tend to be rather melodramatic but are entertaining nonetheless.
Some good websites that more fully display information regarding Bollywood and entertainment news, movies, music and fashion include:
http://www.bollywood.com/
http://www.bollywoodworld.com/
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/
http://planentbollywood.com/
The name is derived from Hollywood and Bombay (the former name for Mumbai). Though compared to Hollywood, Bollywood is not a physical place.The films mostly consist of 3 hour long musicals. Originally, the moves were in Hindi and Urdu, but English is become more common in dialogue and songs.The first feature film made in India was in 1913 and was a silent movie. The first film with sound was in 1931. The first color film was made in 1937. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the movies were primarily romance movies with action involved, but by the mid-70s, violent, action-filled films became more prevalent. In the 1990s, "family-centric romantic musicals" were the rage. Today, films have become very advanced with technology and there are many Western influences. There are also movies being made similar to movies made in the United States. For example, "Chachi 420" is similar to "Mrs. Doubtfire," and "Partner" is similar to "Hitch."
Indian popular cinema has been influenced by the ancient Indian epics, ancient Sanskrit drama, traditional folk theater (mainly regional), Parsi theater, Hollywood (especially musicals), and Western musical television (especially MTV).
The plots tend to be rather melodramatic but are entertaining nonetheless.
Some good websites that more fully display information regarding Bollywood and entertainment news, movies, music and fashion include:
http://www.bollywood.com/
http://www.bollywoodworld.com/
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/
http://planentbollywood.com/
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Noodling in the South
An interesting folk culture phenomenon in the south is Noodling. This is probably the most interesting way to fish I have ever seen. Men and women go into lakes and rivers, stick their hands into holes underwater, trying to catch catfish. I believe this is an example of folk culture because there are easier ways to fish, but they continue to use this method. This method was first recorded by trader-historian James Adair when observing southern Indian tribes in the late 18th century. Check out the Noodling video on the the link and tell me if you agree or disagree.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biL-QcviQGk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqUiqQw33UY&eurl=http://www.splendad.com/ads/show/2693-Dentyne-Face-Time-Rain-On-Me&feature=player_embedded
(You prob. need to copy and paste to new window because I couldn't get get an actual link.)
I love this commercial because it shows how pop culture (myspace, facebook, texting, etc.) has taken away from face time by allowing us to communicate so easily with out seeing or speaking to one another. .
(You prob. need to copy and paste to new window because I couldn't get get an actual link.)
I love this commercial because it shows how pop culture (myspace, facebook, texting, etc.) has taken away from face time by allowing us to communicate so easily with out seeing or speaking to one another. .
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Korean Folk Song
Arirang is a Korean folk song.
Many variations of the song exist, and the titles usually denote which region the song originated. In all versions of the song, each verse and the refrain are of equal length.
The original Arirang song is Jeongseon Arirang, from the Jeongseon County in the Gangwon Province, where it has been sung for over 600 years.
The most famous version of the song is Seoul, but it is usually referred to as just Arirang. It was featured as the theme song in the movie Arirang made 1926.
The standard version of Arirang has three verses, although the second and third are not as often sung as the first.
While there are many mountain passes in Korea called “Arirang Pass,” much like the "Arirang Gogae," which is outside the Small East Gate of Seoul, it is most likely that the origin of the song’s title came from the tale of The Arirang Pass, a tale where lovers meet each other in a dreamland. The original story is that a beautiful maiden of the Miryang fell in love and her unrequited lover eventually killed her. Over time, however, the story changed to that of a woman bemoaning her unfeeling lover.
This is the context in which the lyrics of the song usually take. A woman, usually, is singing out to her lover to not leave her behind or to take her with him on his journey over the mountain pass. However, since Koreans do not use often convey gender in writing and omit pronouns, the gender of the singer and one being sung to is not specified.
The US Army 7th Infantry Division’s (which is no longer activated) official march is Arirang. It is called the New Arirang March and is arranged in a typical American-style march. The South Korean government selected Arirang as the 7th Infantry Division’s official march for its service in the Korean War.
Also, after hearing a version of Arirang in Korea in the late 1950s, John Barnes Chance, an American composer, arranged his 1967 concert band composition Variations on a Korean Folk Song.
A recording of the standard version
A video
Many variations of the song exist, and the titles usually denote which region the song originated. In all versions of the song, each verse and the refrain are of equal length.
The original Arirang song is Jeongseon Arirang, from the Jeongseon County in the Gangwon Province, where it has been sung for over 600 years.
The most famous version of the song is Seoul, but it is usually referred to as just Arirang. It was featured as the theme song in the movie Arirang made 1926.
The standard version of Arirang has three verses, although the second and third are not as often sung as the first.
While there are many mountain passes in Korea called “Arirang Pass,” much like the "Arirang Gogae," which is outside the Small East Gate of Seoul, it is most likely that the origin of the song’s title came from the tale of The Arirang Pass, a tale where lovers meet each other in a dreamland. The original story is that a beautiful maiden of the Miryang fell in love and her unrequited lover eventually killed her. Over time, however, the story changed to that of a woman bemoaning her unfeeling lover.
This is the context in which the lyrics of the song usually take. A woman, usually, is singing out to her lover to not leave her behind or to take her with him on his journey over the mountain pass. However, since Koreans do not use often convey gender in writing and omit pronouns, the gender of the singer and one being sung to is not specified.
The US Army 7th Infantry Division’s (which is no longer activated) official march is Arirang. It is called the New Arirang March and is arranged in a typical American-style march. The South Korean government selected Arirang as the 7th Infantry Division’s official march for its service in the Korean War.
Also, after hearing a version of Arirang in Korea in the late 1950s, John Barnes Chance, an American composer, arranged his 1967 concert band composition Variations on a Korean Folk Song.
A recording of the standard version
A video
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
WEEK TWO - Folk and Pop Culture
Please post your favorite examples of folk and/or pop culture this week
Music is one element of culture, both folk and popular. Follow this link to hear a courtship song of the Miao (in China) during the Mountain Flower Festival. My favorite quote from the NPR article that accompanies the song- "Even if someone is very ugly, the main thing is if they can sing, then they might be able to show love. People who are too good-looking just love themselves." Just remember that as Valentine's Day approaches.
love song - Select "Hear Yin Xiufan sing"
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
And now for something completely different...
Bit of celebrity trivia - who sports these tattoos of geographical coordinates? What is significant about these places?
WEEK ONE - What is geography?
Beyond memorizing endless lists of countries and capitals, geographers are interested in "where" things are, and more interestingly, "why" they are there. The scale can range from global (spread of the AIDS epidemic) to micro (proxemics). I've posted a couple of pictures to illustrate cultural differences in the need for personal space.
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