Mr. Holoubek
Bishop Ireton High
School
AP Human Geography
Country Project
Summary
The Country Project is an ongoing project that will conclude at the end of the year. Each student will be assigned a random country and select a country of his/her choice. The student will research and compare the countries in conjunction with our unit of study. You are to submit your country research the day of each unit test, e.g. the Chapter 2 Migration research and comparison chapter will be due the day of the Chapter 2 test. As we study the various aspects of Human Geography, you will be able to add chapters to your report. By the end of the year you will have generated an in-depth comparison report and present it to the class. The Introduction (A) and Statistics (B) will be due Monday, September 8th. The final project including Conclusion (L), Citation (M), and Research (N) will be due one full cycle after the Resource Issues test.
Time
Chapter report due the day of each test. Final presentation at the end of the year.
Value
Individual chapter reports equal 50 points
Final presentation equal a test
grade
Required Materials
Text
Almanac
Atlas
Media sources
Computer
Required Materials for final presentation
2, white, three ring binder, w/ outside pocket
Binder dividers with tabs (or small adhesive tabs) per each chapter & section
Structure
At least five well detailed paragraphs per chapter
Double spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman, black ink
Include one image on the first page of each chapter report
Include a citation page & research section at the end of each chapter report
A. Introduction Section (A&B merged for
grade)
After selecting your countries, the first part of the project is to provide some introductory material. The following items should be briefly addressed on the introduction page.
Map of your countries
Geography size, location, terrain, climate, etc.
People ethnicity, background, who lives there
Government briefly explain their form of government
Economy major emphasizes of their economy, imports, exports, etc.
History brief
B. Chapter 1 - Statistics
The next section will include a statistical comparison chart
of your countries, plus the
Geography
Location
Geographic coordinates
Total area
Climate
Natural Resources
People
Population
Birth rates
Death rates
Infant mortality rates
Life expectancy
NIR
Rural/urban, etc
Ethnic Groups
Religions
Languages
Literacy
Government
Country name
Government type
Capital
Administrative divisions
Dependents
Suffrage
Economy
Economic overview (brief)
GDP purchasing power in US$
GDP per capita in US$
GDP composition by sector
Unemployment
Budget revenue vs. expenditures = total
Agricultural products
Industries
Electricity consumption
Oil consumption
Natural gas consumption
Current account balance in US$
Export partners
Import partners
Economic aid donor
Communications
Cell phones
Internet hosts
Internet users
Transportation
Airports
Railways in km
Roadways in km
Waterways in km
Military
Military expenditures % of GDP
Military budget (expenditure % of GDP-purchasing power)
C. Chapter 2
Population
Include all of the population date covered in Ch. 2 of the textbook. Use your atlas and the handout on population to get the specific data for your countries. You should have a least the following information;
CBR, DCR, NIR, TFR, IMR, Life expectancy, dependency, density, percent urban and rural
You will also need to include a population pyramid (see separate instructions). The narrative for this chapter should be an assessment, comments, and comparisons on population implications, e.g. is the country over-populated, are there government policies regarding population growth, etc.
D. Chapter 3 Migration
Compare and contrast, using appropriate data, the migration situation for your countries. Discuss any out-migration or in-migration, distribution, and obstacles. What are the reasons for it? What is the situation regarding internal migration? Indentify any significant push/pull factors.
E. Chapter 4 Culture
Discuss and compare the culture of your countries by identifying the overall cultural identity and any particular folk cultures. Discus its origin, diffusion, clustering, distribution, and globalization affects. Identify any important folk and contemporary authors, musicians, composers, actors, athletes, national holidays, sports, etc.
F. Chapter 5 Language
Identify and compare the major languages (official & unofficial) in your countries. Include origin and use of language. Explain if language is a unifying factor or a divisive factor, etc.
G. Chapter 6 Religion
Identify, describe, and compare the religions (official & unofficial) in your countries. Include origin, distribution, organized space, and use of religion. Discuss the level of religious tolerance and suppression. Explain if religion a unifying or a divisive factor.
H. Chapter 7 Ethnicity
Identify, describe, and compare the major ethnic groups (majority & minorities) in your countries. Explain if ethnicity is a unifying or a divisive factor.
I. Chapter 8 Political Geography
Identify the raison dκtre for your countries. Expand on the size, shape, and location of your counties, including absolute and relative location. What are the physical characteristics of your countries, such as mountains, deserts, rivers, and oceans? Discuss where people live. Explain the core areas such as the capital city or other large cities. Discuss any regional organizations of your counties, border issues, and centripetal and centrifugal forces, etc.
J. Chapter 9 Development
What are the GNP and GDP of your countries? Identify and compare the major sectors of the economy, types of jobs available, and any obstacles to development. Discuss the major imports and exports. What is the stage of development in your countries? In which of the nine cultural regions are they located?
K. Chapter 10 Agriculture
Identify the type of agriculture in your country subsistence or commercial. Provide key data on agriculture such as location, size of farms, percent of labor force in agriculture, type of cultivation, use of machinery, and economics. Identify types of crops and livestock and any agribusiness in your countries.
L. Chapter 11 Industry ---
Identify the type of industry in your country. Discuss industry distribution; locations; and problems.
M. Chapter 12 Services
Identify the type of services in your country. Be sure to discuss consumer (retail & personal), business (producer & transportation) and public services; market areas; and location of services.
N. Chapter 13 Urban Patterns
Identify the type of urban patterns in your country. Where have the urban areas grown? Where are people distributed within urban areas? Discuss the distinctive problems within inner cities and suburbs.
O. Chapter 14 Resource Issues
Identify the type of resource issues in your country. What, why, and how are the resources being depleted and polluted? How are they reusing/recycling/conserving their recourse?
P. Conclusion Section (P-R merged for grade)
Summarize your research into a well written conclusion section with at least a five paragraph plus an image.
Q. Citation Page
Properly site your sources using the MLA standards.
R. Research Section
Attach your research in order per chapter. Attach pages (photocopy or originals) from periodicals, internet, books and other creditable sources. Be sure to highlight or circle your research information in the sources.