GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION

Illegal immigration is always a very touchy political topic that is all about cultural geography and communal identity.  This chart shows how various demographic consituencies feel about illegal immigration.  As this article insinuates, the Republican platform does not resonate with most of the voting public.   

See on www.washingtonpost.com

THERE WAS SOMETHING odd about the black car at the junction of Sutter and Hyde Streets. It was an ordinary saloon. Its windows were clear, and it looked in good…

Technologies today have allowed us to be digitally connected from anywhere.  This impacts geographic patterns from outsourcing to local businesses that rely on interpersonal communications to connect potential demand with resources.  Some may see this as geography becoming less of a barrier, and consequently, less relevant.  This article in the Economist argues that as that these technologies have rendered location more important than ever since they rely on geospatial technologies.  “The reports of the death of distance have been much exaggerated.”

Tags: technology, globalization, location, place.

See on www.economist.com

I’m sure most of you have seen the 2008 version of these fantastic maps and cartograms and they’ve been a go-to reference for me since the last election.  The typical red state/blue state map conceals much concerning the spatial voting patterns in the United States and fails to account for the population densities of these distributions.  That’s what makes this county level voting maps and cartograms so valuable.  

Questions to Ponder: What new patterns can you see in the county map that you couldn’t see in the state map?  What do the cartograms tell you about the United States population?  

Tags: cartography, mapping, rural, zbestofzbest.

See on www-personal.umich.edu

If you were moving abroad, what would you want to know? Find out the results from the largest ever global independent survey of expats. Gain a unique insight into how expat life differs across the globe.

The labor market is increasingly becoming a global market.  These countries are the leading places for expatriate workers based on economic and experience factors (based on survey data).  You can adjust the criteria to see how the HSBC ranks these 30 countries as destinations for workers that aren’t afraid to move internationally.

Tags: labor, globalization, industry, economic.

See on www.expatexplorer.hsbc.com

“Why Republicans Can’t Afford to Concede the City Vote Ever Again.”

Short and simple: the United States is an urban country and any political party hoping to win a national election must capture at least some of the major metropolitan areas of the country. That isn’t ideological; that’s simple urban geography and demographics making it’s way into national politics.  “The math of assuming that the cities will go to Democrats is just a losing game forward for Republicans.” 

See on www.theatlanticcities.com

At the dacha, the soul of Russia–and its cultural divide–is on display. In vacation cottages the women are in housedresses. The men, Speedos and rubber boots. They brood, plant, party, and restore their souls.

See on ngm.nationalgeographic.com

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Ricans faced a fundamental question on Election Day: Should they change their ties with the United States?

Lost in the election day enthusiasm throught much of the United Statees was coverage about Puerto Rico.  A ‘non-binding referendum’ was on the ballot to reconsider the 114-relationship with the United States as a territory.  54% voted for a change, while 46% favored the status quo.  The second question was asking how to change that relationship: 61% voted for statehood, 33% endorsed a sovereign free association, and 5% for independence.  President Obama has gone on record stating that he’ll support the will of a clear majority.  We’ll see what this means, but we are a lot closer to 51 states than we’ve ever been before. 

Tags: USA, political, states, autonomy. 

See on www.washingtonpost.com