10 Facts About Chongqing, China

Chongqing is one of Chinas four direct-controlled municipalities (the others are Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin). It is the largest of the municipalities by area and it is the only one that is located far away from the coast. Chongqing is located in southwestern China within Sichuan Province and shares borders with Shaanxi, Hunan, and Guizhou provinces. The city is known as being an important economic center along the Yangtze River as well as a historical and cultural center for the country of China. Population: 31,442,300 (2007 estimate)Land area: 31,766 square miles (82,300 sq km)Average elevation: 1,312 feet (400 m)Date of creation: March 14, 1997 10 Must-Know Facts Chongqing has a long history and historical evidence shows that the region was originally a state belonging to the Ba People and that it was established in the 11th century B.C.E. In 316 B.C.E., the area was taken over by the Qin and at that time a city called Jiang was built there and the region the city was in was known as the Chu Prefecture. The area was then renamed two more times in 581 and 1102 C.E.In 1189 C.E. Chongqing got its current name. In 1362 during Chinas Yuan Dynasty, a peasant rebel named Ming Yuzhen formed the Daxia Kingdom in the region. In 1621 Chongqing became the capital of the kingdom of Daliang (during Chinas Ming Dynasty). From 1627 to 1645, much of China was unstable as the Ming Dynasty began to lose its power and during that time, Chongqing and Sichuan Province were taken over by the rebels overthrowing the dynasty. Shortly thereafter the Qing Dynasty took control of China and immigration to the Chongqing area increased.In 1891 Chongqing became an important economic center in China as it became the first inland open to trade from outside China. In 1929 it became a municipality of the Republic of China and during the Second Sino-Japanese War from 1937 to 1945, it was attacked heavily by the Japanese Air Force. However much of the city was protected from damage because of its rugged, mountainous terrain. As a result of this natural protection, many of Chinas factories were moved to Chongqing and it quickly grew into an important industrial city.In 1954 the city became a sub-provincial city within Sichuan Province under the Peoples Republic of China. On March 14, 1997, however, the city was merged with the neighboring districts of Fuling, Wanxian, and Qianjiang and it was separated from Sichuan to form Chongqing Municipality, one of Chinas four direct-controlled municipalities.Today Chongqing is one of the most important economic centers in western China. It also has a diversified economy with major industries in processed food, automobi le manufacturing, chemicals, textiles, machinery, and electronics. The city is also the largest area for the manufacture of motorcycles in China.As of 2007, Chongqing had a total population of 31,442,300 people. 3.9 million of these people live and work in the urban areas of the city while the majority of the people are farmers working in areas outside the urban core. In addition, there is a large number of people who are registered as residents of Chongqing with Chinas National Bureau of Statistics of China, but they have not yet officially moved into the city.Chongqing is located in western China at the end of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The region of Chongqing also includes several mountain ranges. These are the Daba Mountains in the north, the Wu Mountains in the east, the Wuling Mountains in the southeast and the Dalou Mountains in the south. Because of all of these mountain ranges, Chongqing has a hilly, varied topography and the average elevation of the city is 1,312 feet (40 0 m).Part of Chongqings early development as an economic center of China is due to its geographic location on large rivers. The city is intersected by the Jialing River as well as the Yangtze River. This location allowed the city to develop into easily accessible manufacturing and trading center.The municipality of Chongqing is divided into several different subdivisions for local administrations. There are for example 19 districts, 17 counties and four autonomous counties within Chongqing. The total area of the city is 31,766 square miles (82,300 sq km) and most of it consists of rural farmland outside of the urban core.The climate of Chongqing is considered humid subtropical and it has four distinct seasons. Summers are very hot and humid while winters are short and mild. The average August high temperature for Chongqing is 92.5 F (33.6 C) and the average January low temperature is 43 F (6 C). Most of the citys precipitation falls during the summer and since it is located Sichuan Basin along the Yangtze River cloudy or foggy conditions are not uncommon. The city is nicknamed the Fog Capital of China. Reference Wikipedia.org. (23 May 2011). Chongqing - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia.

Athena In The Odyssey - 1592 Words

The story of homer s epic poem the The Odyssey takes place ten years after the Trojan War is over. There are many heroes of the war that come home to their families, however there are even more that are lost through the long struggling years of the war. Of the few who stayed behind, Odysseus goes through battle after battle, problem after problem, and has had the most trouble coming home. The story opens in the tenth year since the war has ended, almost 20 years since our mighty hero Odysseus went to war and left his palace, his wife Penelope, and even his infant son Telemachus behind. Telemachus grew up without a father wondering if Odysseus will ever return home. The story of the Odyssey captures the reunion between long lost†¦show more content†¦It is through her they learn the qualities that define a hero. From her first act of assistance to her final peacemaking, she is largely responsible for the creation and conclusion of the plot. Telemachus daydreams before meeting Athena for the first time (B1:L134-136). Growing up without his father Odysseus, the only knowledge Telemachus knows of him are only the stories told him by his consorts. With all the suitors roaming freely through the great halls of his father s palace, chasing after his mother Penelope s hand in marriage, Prince Telemachus is left hopeless to stop them. Athena uses her great skills of strategy and wisdom to quickly find a way to inspire our hero Telemachus to journey to find his father. She shapes shifts into Odysseus old friend Mentes, and predicts that Odysseus is still alive and that he will soon return to Ithaca. â€Å"Take my words to heart. At daybreak summon the islands lords to full assembly, give your orders to all and call the gods to witness sail in quest of news of your long- lost father, Athena declared (B1:L315-325). With these words of encouragement, Athena uses her disguise to influence the prince to find his father. If it not for Athena, Telemachus might have taken his father for dead and encouraged his mother to marry one of her suitors. The journey is also important because the journey of Telemachus plays an important part of him becoming a man on his own. When Telemachus reachesShow MoreRelatedAthena In Homers Odyssey : The Persuasiveness Of Athena1480 Words   |  6 PagesA Father’s Daughter: The Persuasiveness of Athena in The Odyssey In Homer’s The Odyssey the reader is introduced to a number of powerful women, who, as per the social rules of the time, are expected to bend to the whim of their male counterparts. These women, while persuasive and cunning, fall victim to the patriarchal status of Greek society; Penelope, wife of Odysseus and mother of Telemachus, must obey the word of her son; the nymph Calypso must obey the command of Zeus through Hermes; NausicaaRead MoreHow Is Athena A Hero In The Odyssey976 Words   |  4 PagesThe Odyssey is a fascinating epic poem consisting of twenty-four books all written by Homer. It is based on a Greek hero named Odysseus, who spends twenty years away from his family. Odysseus was in a battle against the Trojans in the Trojan War for the first ten years. Then, another ten years of painful obstacles was added due to his boastful attitude towards the gods and goddesses. When returning back to Ithaca, Odysseus encounters numerous of hardships with the help of the go ddess, Athena. HeRead MoreAthena And Gender Roles During The Odyssey1776 Words   |  8 PagesAllen Professor T. Carlisle English 212-044 October 05,2017 Research paper intro and thesis and work cited Athena and Gender Roles in the Odyssey The expectations of gender roles had a great impact on women in classical Greek society. In Ancient Greece, women were banned from entering the battlefield because warfare was seen more suitable for men, it is where they would show their strengths, physical courage and power. Women had no power or say as far as giving orders, their role was to stand behindRead More Penelope, Clytaemestra, Athena, and Helen of Homer’s Odyssey1448 Words   |  6 PagesThe Ideal Women of Homer’s Odyssey      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ancient Greek society treated women as secondary citizens. Restrictions were placed on the social and domestic actions of many aristocratic women in ancient Athens.   The women depicted in Homers Odyssey, on the other hand, are the ideal.   Penelope, Clytaemestra, Athena, and Helen are all women with exceptional liberty and power.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Before comparing the women of the Odyssey to those of Athens, it is beneficial to take a look into the livesRead MoreAthena in the Odyssey vs. Virgil in the Inferno Essay1500 Words   |  6 PagesAthena in the Odyssey VS. Virgil in the Inferno Two of the greatest works ever written, The Odyssey by Homer and The Inferno by Dante, are detailed, multi-sectioned poems about the journey’s of two men. In each story, the main character is given some sort of guidance by another character in order to aid them in their travels. In The Odyssey, Athena is portrayed as the protector to Odysseus on his journey back home from the Trojan War to his family in Ithaca. In The Inferno, Virgil is requestedRead MoreDivine intervention dealing with Greek myths, especially The Odyssey and The Iliad.1474 Words   |  6 Pagesexemplifies this is the great goddess Athena. This daughter of Zeus impacted everyone that she came across. The character Athena is splashed over Greek works. However, there are specific pieces of Greek literature that tell a great deal about this fiery goddess. This is not a passive goddess. This is an active, involved goddess who, in both the Iliad and the Odyssey, assumes divine leadership and challenges even Zeus himself. In The Odyssey and other Greek myths, Athena is an essential character and contributesRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s Odyssey, The Epic Of The Classical Era Essay1585 Words   |  7 PagesPaper Assignment 1 Prompt 1 Homer’s Odyssey is one of the many epic of the classical era to give an detailed overlook on the relationship between humans and gods. Odyssey is not just an adventure story about a king struggling to get back home after having gone to war; nor is it one about a son searching for his father after rumors say that he has been dead for many years. The events that take place in Homer’s Odyssey are heavily influenced by the Greek Gods. One can see how the gods interactionRead MoreThe Iliad and the Odyssey1510 Words   |  7 Pagesand the Odyssey are two classic stories told by Homer. Within these two stories the roles of the gods are very important to the story line and how they affect the characters throughout. In the Iliad, more gods are involved with the characters whereas in the Odyssey there are only two major gods that affect two major characters. The roles of the gods in the Iliad are through two different stances of immortal versus immortal and mortal versus immort al. The roles of the gods in the Odyssey are throughRead More Divine Intervention: Athenas Role in The Odyssey Essay1593 Words   |  7 Pagesintegral part of ancient epic poetry as seen in Homers The Odyssey. The role of the goddess Athena was an essential part of Odysseuss journey back to Ithaka. Athena also played a vital part in Telemakhoss life before the return of his father. Even Penelope is impacted by the help of the grey-eyed goddess, often inspiring Penelope to hold off the suitors as well as putting her to sleep when a situation became too difficult. Athena demonstrates that she is a critical component of developmentRead MoreThe Effects Of Cultural And Religious Diversity On The World1701 Words   |  7 PagesDivinity. Investigation of the Ancient Greek religion and the religion of the Hebrews provides evidence about the different and similar patterns in human-Divinity interrelationships, as exemplified by Odysseus and Athena as well as Job and God. The research of two ancient texts, Odyssey and Bible, show that the power and influence of the Hebrews’ God is more significant than the power and influence of any particular god in the Ancient Greek Olympus, which makes the human and the Divinity more distant

Gothic Cathedral of Florence Free Essays

This Gothic Cathedral of Florence is now becoming a great difficulty for me. If the Cathedral’s commission was given to me from the beginning of the construction, it would not have been such a pain. But this unfinished dome! Oh my God! Sometimes I get afraid if I am not able to complete it with perfection, I am not going to get even good food from the King. We will write a custom essay sample on Gothic Cathedral of Florence or any similar topic only for you Order Now I sometimes wish I was not an architect I always wanted to become a musician. I could have listened to music all day long. I even though of starting up a musical school of mine but the desires of the King have led me to this place. I do not want to get insane. I will have to take some step. Decided! I am going to buy a sheep or a goat from Frodo. I know he will sell me one of his sheep or a goat. Then I am going to make a bagpipe out of the sheep skin. These bagpipes are not available in this city. Nothing is good about this city except the food. Then I will take this bagpipe to the King and tell him that I am a musician by birth and I have changed my occupation now. But will he kill me then? Diary you tell me, you tell me, will he kill me or spare me? I do not want to die. I am not becoming any musician. I am a good architect and will die an architect. Diary, I am now going to design the dome, a dome which has not been designed before. This will be the first dome of its type. August 30th, 1436 I am glad the dome is completed now. I do not believe that I have done it though it took very long. I am tired now I have to get some rest. I should go to some other city of Greece or Rome and leave Italy now for some time. I do not admire the dome so much as others do. I have not even gotten a chance to see it clearly myself. God seriously I have done some hard work on the dome and I am really proud of it. I hope the dome will remain as it is now for centuries. The material used in the structure has been the best available. If war does not struck Italy, this dome will remain enact for some centuries I believe. I wish my father was alive at this moment I would celebrate this moment with him and I am sure he would be really proud of his son who helped the King in building the largest dome ever built. The King has invited me at the dinner; God knows how many presents I am going to receive from all the friends of the King. Only this thing worries me that when will the dome be decorated with the tiles and stones that I have recommended. I hope the dome is completed in my lifetime though I do not wish to live too long in this world. And yes today I am going to thank all of the supporters who helped me in the making of the dome. Lorenzo has been very supportive as he also took over the construction when I was suffering from illness. I am getting late for the dinner now I have to wear the clothes and leave for the dinner the horse cart must have arrived. How to cite Gothic Cathedral of Florence, Papers

Personal Experience Analysis Essay Example For Students

Personal Experience Analysis Essay 8:02 a.m. Saturday. Its still dark, as usual, on these cold, winter days. Everybody else is still sleeping and enjoying the comfprting heat of their beds. I crack open the locked window by my bed, an act some deemed downright idiotic. I strip off my pjs, throw on my robe, and head for the shower. Drying off, I think about where I am abou to go. I dress piece by layered piece. I cant wait to hit the slopes! I round up my tools: body, boards, boots, bindings. Everything is in working order and ready for take- off. As I open the front door, I am shocked by the cold and fight my way through the wind to my car. I turn the key and put the heater on full blast. I am almost there. I step out of my car and survey the parking lot. Not too many cars. Thats the way I like it. I take a deep breath and savor the frsh air. Already, I can feel the pressure of deadlines lifted off my chest. I strap my skis on, and prepare not just to tackle a run but other situations in my life as well. I skate over to the first pitch of the double diamond slope, and map out where I will take the first couple turns. It is almost like I am assessing my goals in life: getting accepted into Syracuse, owning a house in Colorado, raising a healthy family. I appreciate the sound of carving the first turn as if it was my very last. The crunching of the snow under my feet empowers me to crush the antagonists in my everyday life. The second and third turns secure my self- confidence. Only with the fourth turn do I start to realize that things are not always that easy. I heard it said often, Its easier said than done. I never believed it until now. I only skid slightly over a patch of ice, but it is enough to start my heart thumping. I am suddenly aware that to finish this run or to reach my goals, I have to be ready for the tricky spots. I know that at any moment I could fall and be forced to start over. My lifetime goals can be affected by any number of things grades slipping, drugs and alcohol and I have to be ready to handle anything. I clear my mind of all fear and continue through turns, but with more caution. Once the focus of my goal is on track, I persevere to attain it. I quickly aquire my rhythm. I become more determined. Now, I take sharper, shorter turns. I glide swiftly toward the chairlift just now appearing in my sights. I know that through hard work I can achieve these realistic goals! I am almost there!I thrill at the prospect of conquering this hill. I feel proud of myself. I am gratified to know that I can accomplish a goal endurance. I can achieve despite the many ice patches I encounter. I ride the lift back to my car. I only came for one run, the run to help me survive the week. I drive home grinning ear to ear.

Hip Hop Dance free essay sample

Whats your favorite dance style? For me, I love to dance! It is my favorite thing to do. Hip-Hop dance is the most I like. If you can do the moves in hip hop, you will be more flexible for those other kind of dance such as ballet. It is a lot of fun, and you can look ;bad and scare people away by dancing. There are various other popular dance styles used with hip-hop dance, which include breaking, popping and locking. Breaking is a kind of street dance. It Is also dances by people who are part of the hip hop culture.Breaking is more for a male type of dance style. This type of dance Is battles between groups. Breaking use different body movements, spins, arm movement leg movement, and all of which are done to the rhythm of hip hop music. The musical selection for breaking Is from different songs which are looped and then chained together by the DC. We will write a custom essay sample on Hip Hop Dance or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Eve been teaching myself to dance only by watching other dancer or dance movies. For Instance, Step Up AD Is a hip hop movie, features breaking as the main type of dance performed. Breaking Is my favorite because It Is lust amusing: it is hard ,but It Is also fun and awesomely Popping is another type of hip hop dance. When it is use as a hip hop dance style, popping is usually perform in a battle, where participants try to outperform each other in front off crowd. It is often assumed that popping is a style of breakneck. It is based on the technique of hitting, which means to quickly contract and relax muscles to create a jerk in a dancers body. Popping can be concentrated to the specific body part such as arm pops, leg pops, chest pops and neck pops.Normally, popping is commonly danced to buck music and also disco, but nowadays it is also to see popping danced to more current music such as modern hip hop music and many arms of electronic dance music. I used to have a dance group with my best friends for a while when I was 15. We performed with the other four groups in the final five. Although we were in the top five, unfortunately we lost in round two. I still remember, how mad we felt after that performance. The other one is locking.Locking also becomes part of growing hip hop dance culture, and has influenced styles such as popping, B-boning etc . Locking is still quite popular. Locking may be done in solo or in unison with two or more dancers doing steps or handshakes together. A locker may smile while performing the dance. Other Important stylistic features are waving of arms, pointing, walking stationary and grabbing and rotating the cap or hat. Locking Is originally dance to traditional funk music. I had tried to dance locking twice then I gave up because there are a lot of fast moves that I could not do.Above all, hip hop dances are famous all around the world. Especially for young people, when they do the hip hop dance It Is seen upon as cool. To me ,all the dances are amazing! Some tell stones; some show who you are; some make you a different person, and take you to different places. Its even therapy, but In the end, theyre all amazing with different styles. BYJ19931225 look bad and scare people away by dancing. There are various other popular dance Breaking is a kind of street dance. It is also dances by people who are part of the hip hop culture.Breaking is more for a male type of dance style. This type of dance is The musical selection for breaking is from different songs which are looped and then chained together by the D]. Eve been teaching myself to dance only by watching other dancer or dance movies. For instance, Step Up AD is a hip hop movie, features breaking as the main type of dance performed. Breaking is my favorite because it is just amusing: it is hard ,but it is also fun and awesome! Other in front of a crowd. It is often assumed that popping is a style of breakneck.

How the uneven distribution of land and oceans across the Earth affects climate and vegetation both at global and regional scales. The WritePass Journal

How the uneven distribution of land and oceans across the Earth affects climate and vegetation both at global and regional scales. Introduction How the uneven distribution of land and oceans across the Earth affects climate and vegetation both at global and regional scales. IntroductionFactual InformationReferencesConclusionRelated Introduction This report considers why the uneven distribution of land and oceans across the Earth affects climate and vegetation both at global and regional scales.   It also looks at atmospheric and ocean circulation. Because Earth is always at a tilt, there is an uneven latitudinal input of solar radiation.   This causes the world’s seasons and the force causing heat transport from the equator towards the poles, known as the atmospheric heat balance.   The uneven and unequal distribution of Earth’s land and oceans causes there to be moisture circulation in order to maintain balance.   Their distribution determines large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns.   Their dissimilar heat capacities, with Oceans having a much greater capacity relative to land, drives continental-scale convective atmosphere transport.   Factual Information The heating of the warmer equatorial regions and the cooling of the colder polar regions generates the kinetic energy for the motion of air parcels in the atmosphere and fluid parcels in the ocean.   The land and ocean distribution on the Earth’s surface provides additional forcing functions for the atmospheric and oceanic motions, in part due to longitudinal asymmetry in heating due to different thermal properties of land and ocean, and in part due to mechanical effects of the mountain barriers.   The radiation energy falling over the oceans and the land surfaces evaporates the water which later condenses and releases latent heat of condensation in the atmosphere.   Latent heat can cause the rising air to be warmer than surrounding air, so it continues to rise.   The greater the moisture content of rising air, the more latent heat is released to drive convective uplift, which contributes to the intense thunderstorms and deep boundary layer in the wet tropics. Surface air rises most strongly at the equator because of the intense equatorial heating and the large amount of latent heat released as this moist air rises and condenses.   This air rises until it reaches the tropopause. Ocean circulation plays a critical role in Earth’s climate system.  Ã‚   On average, ocean circulation accounts for 40% of the latitudinal heat transfer from the equator to the poles, with the remaining 60% of heat transfer occurring through the atmosphere.   The ocean is the dominant heat transporter in the tropics and the atmosphere plays the stronger role at mid-latitudes.   The surface current of the oceans are driven by surface winds and therefore show global patterns. At the global scale, consistent patterns of air flow can be seen at the Earths surface and within its upper atmosphere.   Global winds develop because of latitudinal variations in atmospheric pressure.   However, these differences in pressure are not just the result of the differential heating of the Earths surface.   At approximately 30 degrees North and South latitude, the subtropical high pressure zone forms because of the presence of descending air from the upper atmosphere.   The sub-polar lows, located at about 60 degrees North and South latitude, develop because of the dynamic interaction of cold polar air with warm moist subtropical air masses.   This interaction causes frontal lifting and the development of cyclonic storms. Surface winds move from areas of high pressure to low pressure.   The course of this movement is also altered by the influence of Coriolis force causing the development of the trade winds (0 to 30 degrees N and S), the westerlies (30 to 60 deg rees N and S) and the polar easterlies (60 to 90 degrees N and S).   Upper atmosphere winds are generally poleward and westerly direction.   Their development is related to the presence of the Hadley, Ferrel and Polar circulation cells in the North and South hemisphere. Hadley-Ferrel Model. google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=lakeeriewx.com/Meteo241/ResearchTopicTwo/Images/HadleyCell.gifimgrefurl Because the Earth is a sphere, more solar energy arrives for a given surface area in the tropics than at higher latitudes, where sunlight strikes the atmosphere at a lower angle.   Energy is transported from the equatorial areas to higher latitudes via atmospheric and oceanic circulations, including storm systems.   Energy is also required to evaporate water from the sea or land surface, and this energy, called latent heat, is released when water vapour condenses in clouds. The atmosphere directly affects life on Earth by supplying the gases for the respiration of vegetation and animals and by moving water from oceanic regions to be deposited in liquid or solid form on land.   The atmosphere also shelters life on Earth from the extreme and potentially harmful effects of direct solar radiation. The oceans are most important because of their tremendous heat storage potential and their ability to distribute that heat horizontally.   The composition and motion of the water in the hydrosphere sustains a rich and diverse life system. The exchange of gases and heat between oceans and atmosphere determines the physical properties and composition of both these sub-systems and is one of the primary climate processes. Vegetation covers a considerable portion of the earth and has an effect on weather and climate.   Vegetation influences both  albedo of the earth and the amount of water vapor and carbon dioxide in the air. Vegetation includes all plants from tropical forests to grassy meadows  and cropland.   All types of plants play a  role in both the water cycle and the earth’s energy balance. Water is necessary to sustaining life on Earth, and helps tie together the Earths lands, oceans, and atmosphere into an integrated system. Precipitation, evaporation, freezing and melting and condensation are all part of the hydrological cycle a never-ending global process of water circulation from clouds to land, to the ocean, and back to the clouds.   This cycling of water is intimately linked with energy exchanges among the atmosphere, ocean, and land that determine the Earths climate and cause much of natural climate variability. Heating determines where the ocean evaporates, and the amount of evaporation. nc-climate.ncsu.edu/edu/k12/.Vegetation The biosphere and atmosphere are a coupled to one another. Climatic state variables, such as temperature, humidity, wind and precipitation affect the physiological functioning of vegetation, the architecture of plant communities, and soil properties. In return, the functional type and extent of vegetation influences the state of the atmosphere. The Kà ¶ppen Climate Classification System is the most widely used for classifying the worlds climates.   Kà ¶ppen divided the Earths surface into climatic regions that generally coincided with world patterns of vegetation and soils. The Kà ¶ppen system recognizes five major climate types based on the annual and monthly averages of temperature and precipitation. A Moist Tropical Climates are known for their high temperatures year round and for their large amount of year round rain. B Dry Climates are characterized by little rain and a huge daily temperature range. Two subgroups, S semiarid or steppe, and W arid or desert, are used with the B climates. C In Humid Middle Latitude Climates land/water differences play a large part. These climates have warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. D Continental Climates can be found in the interior regions of large land masses. Total precipitation is not very high and seasonal temperatures vary widely. E Cold Climates describe this climate type perfectly. These climates are part of areas where permanent ice and tundra are always present. Only about four months of the year have above freezing temperatures. References Blij, H. (2000). Geography: realms regions and concepts 2000(9th). New York: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Gabler, R. (1993). Essentials of physical geography(4th). New York: Harcourt Brace College Publishers. Hobbs, J. (2006). Essentials of world regional geography(5th). Canada: Thomson Books/Cole Matt Rosenberg. (2007). About: Geography [Online]. http://geography.about.com/od/physicalgeography/a/koppen.htm [2007, April 14] The most important plant-related variables, that affect the state of the atmosphere, include albedo, aerodynamic roughness, leaf area, canopy height and surface resistance to trace gas exchange.   Vegetation include boreal and temperate forests, tropical forests, chaparral, grasslands, savanna woodlands and wetlands, as they span a spectrum of plant canopy attributes. Conclusion From this report of the climate system, we can conclude that we must understand how Earth, with its atmosphere, greenhouse gases, ocean, life, winds, and currents all interact to produce our climate.   The ocean is one big part of the earth system. The ocean, atmosphere, land and vegetation are all connected through the climate system. Changes in various aspects of the climate system, such as the size of ice sheets, the type and distribution of vegetation or the temperature of the atmosphere or ocean will influence the large-scale circulation features of the atmosphere and oceans. There are many feedback mechanisms in the climate system that can either amplify (‘positive feedback’) or diminish (‘negative feedback’) the effects of a change in climate forcing.   Ã‚  For example, as rising concentrations of greenhouse gases warm Earth’s climate, snow and ice begin to melt.   This melting reveals darker land and water surfaces that were beneath the snow and ice, and these darker surfaces absorb more of the Sun’s heat, causing more warming, which causes more melting, and so on, in a self-reinforcing cycle. This feedback loop, known as the ‘ice-albedo feedback’, amplifies the initial warming caused by rising levels of greenhouse gases.

Usefulness of Accounting Theory to Practicing Accountants Today Research Proposal

Usefulness of Accounting Theory to Practicing Accountants Today - Research Proposal Example Throughout history, the need for a single and unified conceptual framework which will embody the needs of the business organization for financial reporting has been a pressing concern. The lack of established accounting theory to support the reporting of financial transactions and the production of financial reports called for the foundation of financial reporting. Without accounting theory, accountants grapple with the difficulty of producing reports which will clearly represent the company’s performance. Comparison and benchmarking cannot be accomplished since reporting is not supported by the same foundation. The need for a conceptual framework is even highlighted by the era of globalization which aims the creation of a single global village. However, it should also be noted that the usefulness of accounting theory is limited by the adherence of accountants which utilizes it. The financial fiascos that shook the global community highlight the need for a more stringent contr ol and adherence to the reporting process in order to produce financial reports which fully embodies the financial position of a business organization. In the early 1800s, accounting theories were random and ill-defined. Development was unstructured and the formalization of existing practices was still in the very preliminary stages. Scientific development was also quite ad hoc and inconsistent, yet 42 bulletins were already developed before 1970. These facts help magnify the importance of having a united adaptable system for the accounting profession to work consistently. The normative period began to emerge in 1956 and developed until 1970. This stage allowed the development of a set of norms for accounting practices and the commencement of the conceptual framework for accounting. It was divided into two dominant groups—the conceptual framework and the critics of historical cost. As the normative era was not being successfully accepted by the community the period ended as financial theories, and computer databases led to empirical research.

Risk Analysis and Ethical Considerations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Risk Analysis and Ethical Considerations - Essay Example As the discussion there are three main events under this theory. First all actions must be judged from the consequence of the actions. Secondly, the judgment is about the quantum of happiness these actions have generated. Lastly, each person’s welfare is equally important and actions must be directed to this objective. There are two sub theories of Utilitarianism. Van Wyck explains that under Act Utilitarianism theory the view taken is that a right action is one that is also chosen by another individual, and the common intention is to produce at least the same good result. Under this theory an action is taken for the larger good even if it means abandoning or ignoring a rule or set of rules. In other words ends justify the means. This study stresses that the proponents of the other theory called Rule Utilitarianism believe firmly in observing rule and not encroaching on others happiness even if the happiness of a larger group is likely to be affected. This means that rules are meant to be followed to preserve sense and balance in a society. The other group called Deontological theory hold that obligations must be followed irrespective of consequences. Deontologists insist that actions are morally in the wrong not because of their consequences, but because fundamentally these actions are a moral violation (Boxill). Morally right mans approved by God and morally wrong means disapproved by God. The will of God is the arbiter of right or wrong. In 1907 Henry Sidgwick expanded the Greatest Happiness principle to conclude that welfare of the people was more paramount than mere happiness. He felt that utilitarianism could be used to balance the morality of â€Å"common sense:† In effect Sidgwick attempted to bring utilitarianism into mainstream thinking of other less philosophical theories on ethics.

Relationship between literature, ehnicity and immigration Essay

Relationship between literature, ehnicity and immigration - Essay Example It is an observation that since ancient times, immigration remained a major activity of humans around the globe who used to travel from one region to another in search of food, shelter, employment, and several other facilities. In the result, this activity has enjoyed significant importance in every aspect of human life, and that is observable in huge amount of literature that indicates significance of immigration and its effects on different aspects of societies globally. This briefly allows the researcher to identify the relationship between immigration and literature, as the later one has always played the role of providing commentary regarding different cultural and social aspects related to the process of immigration during different eras. In addition, it is an understanding that literature has also been responsible for promoting or discouraging immigration in certain regions, and thus, both enjoy a strong relationship with each other. On the other hand, ethnicity is another imperative notion of human society that refers to the social concept that enables individuals or a group of people to identify each other based on language, culture, or ideology. In particular, analysis (Suls, pp. 33-38) has indicated that literature has been an important factor when it comes to ethnicity, as ethnic groups consider literature as one of their fundamental evidences to prove their ethnicity, and thus, literature and ethnicity exist in an interconnecting relationship with each other. Moreover, if one looks at the relationship of ethnicity and immigration, scrutiny of different sources has pointed out that immigration plays a crucial role in determining ethnicity of different group of people. For instance, when a group of people migrates from one country to another reason for any particular reason, the future generations of same group identify themselves in midst of two ethnicities, one existing in literature connecting them with th eir forefathers, and on the other hand, one existing in their society where they opened their eyes and grew up. In this regard, both literature and immigration are significant factors to contribute in alteration of ethnicity in a society, whereas, both immigration and ethnicity causes changes in literature, and similarly, literature and ethnicity has always become a reason of immigration in different parts of the globe. Therefore, it will be appropriate to state that all three notions of literature, ethnicity, and immigration enjoy a triangular relationship, where they interrelate with each other in different aspects. Examination of different sources (Suls, pp. 59-64) has indicated that literature related to immigration has always referred to historical and cultural models and techniques to understand its different features. In addition, literature and studies related to ethnicity have indicated dominance of similar models that indicates the relationship of the two with the literatu re. Another factor of their similar relationship with literature is their similar propensity towards ignoring social and cultural structures on micro or individual level. However, there have been instances where experts have suggested for a psychological scrutiny of different aspects of ethnicity and immigration and their impact on micro level; however, results have pointed out that both exist on macro level, and thus, majority of literature has indicated their construction as a macro component of human society. In order to understand the relationship of literature, ethnicity, and immigration further, the paper will now include analysis of the relationship based on theory of social identity by Tajfel (pp. 23-25) that will be effective in

The Third Gender The Hijra Sociology Essay

The Third Gender The Hijra Sociology Essay In western culture, gender and sex have been described under two distinct realms-male and female. These identities to some are determined solely biologically, and many are oblivious to the fact that in many cultures, different genders are present. One of the most prominent third genders is based in South Asia, specifically India. Known as the hijra, they have grown to become a prominent and well-known member of Indian society, but have suffered from discrimination and have struggled for their basic fundamental rights. Based in India, the hijra are physiological males who identify themselves as females at an early age, wearing womens clothing and performing stereotypical female gender roles. Indian society refers to the hijra as a third gender. They are not female nor male, but a separate entity who carries their own culture, values and traditions. In relation to the western world, the closest form to the hijra would be known as a transgender. The hijras trace their origins back to the religious era of the deity Ram. As told in the Ramayana epic, just before his sojourn into the wilderness, Ram instructed all men and women who had come to see him off to return to their village. The hijras, being neither men nor women stayed at Rams point of departure until his return years later. Upon seeing their devotion, Ram blessed them and promised them the right to rule during the final age of mankind (Amisha_2010:835). As religion is a major aspect of Indian culture, much of the hijras history is based off the Indian polytheistic religious era. As religion is of great importance to the hijra, this event historically marked their first interaction with the Indian gods. Many hijra undergo a painful castration process known as nirvan to officially identify as a hijra. This process of the upmost importance as it ends with the new hijra embracing the femininity he has identified himself with his entire life. The process has been documented: His transformation is nearly complete as he prostrates his naked body before the murti of Bahuchara Mata, praying for her blessings. When he stands, his chela (guru) will complete the ceremony with two swift slices of the long blade, permanently severing his manhood. The remaining blood that gushes from the cut is considered the last of the male part. Hot sesame seed oil will be poured over the open wound, which will later be prodded repeatedly to ensure that the urethra remains open. No anesthesia or surgical tools are available, for it is believed that medically performed castration would diminish the spiritual experience of the ritual. (Patel_2010:835) Once the castration process is completed, the hijras both physically and spiritually feel as though they have transformed themselves. As the hijra undergo a physical transformation, they also follow a strict household structure. Members of the gharana, the communal hijra household, ardently support the hijra code. The hijras maintain the basic family hierarchy. The GWU report states, An elder naik oversees the basic running of the household, and chelas initiate hijras and turn over a portion of their earnings for household expenses. In addition, all hijras pay a fee to the jamat, or congregation of hijra house leaders recognized within the larger community. (Patel_2010:836) Many houses are situated relatively close together. As much of Indian society and culture rejects the hijra, the hijra feel it is necessary to isolate themselves from the mainstream culture. Not only does this give the hijra a sense of community, but it also preserves their security and safety. Despite these protective measures, hijras remain a marginalized group in a country that continues to ostracize them. India is two-sided in its social perception of the hijra lifestyle. As a community, Indian society treats hijras with a combination of fascination, revulsion, and fear (Patel_2010:836). As a means of survival, hijras predominantly participate in begging and prostitution. For a small fee, they also perform badhai-local families sometimes welcome them into their homes to bless auspicious births or weddings (Patel_2010:836). For the most part, however, sex work is the most profitable option for the hijra. As a result, Indias hijras struggle as an ostracized social class, subject to gender violence and various other human rights violations. There are very few domestic policies protecting hijras. Although there have been recent pushes for their rights, few have been successful. The hijra have struggled to enjoy the basic human rights many Indians enjoy. Most importantly, Indian law does not recognize them as a third gender. This denies them the right to vote, the right to own property, the right to marry and the right to claim formal identity through any official documents such as a passport or driving license. Accessing healthcare, employment or education becomes almost impossible. In the face of such odds they are forced to earn money any way they can (Harvey_2008:html1). Hijras are regularly robbed and sexually assaulted on the street at the hands of gangs and other local thugs. A hijra who served as chairperson of a human rights organization said, We have no constitutional rights. That is the problem. We dont have voting rights; often we cannot get housing. This is not allowing us to have an identity of our own (Harvey_2008:html1). Reports show however, that attitudes are gradually beginning to change. An initial difficulty in addressing the rights of sexual minorities is in recognizing the differences between the concepts of sex and gender. Sex, by definition, operates within the classic binary biological model, in which the human species is clearly divided into neat categories of either male or female (Patel_2010:836). Gender, however, is a more inclusive term, which includes social constructs of personal belief and sexuality that have deeper meaning than the traditional biological sex distinction (Patel_2010:836). In addition, the classic Western binary models of sex-male and female-and sexuality-homosexual and heterosexual-do not fit neatly into Indias traditional concepts of gender and identity. As a result, hijras are the unknown-the intersex gender between male and female in India. Although the hijra have been ostracized for many years, conditions are slowly starting to improve. As technology and media communication have vastly improved in India, more people are beginning to not only notice the presence of the Hijra, but also appreciate it. The Hijra have formed unions to organize protests for their human rights and will continue to fight for legislation until they are satisfied. India has taken many steps toward recognizing transgender rights. In recent years, hijras have become increasingly visible in the political arena. After gaining the right to vote in 1994, a few have held political office in various states in India, and often have the support of religiously affiliated majority parties as safe candidates. In 2000, Kamla Jaan, a hijra in the state of Madhya Pradesh, was elected mayor of Katni after running as an indepen- dent. Indian society perceives hijras as un-entrenched political candidates-secular, casteless, and asexual-simultaneously able to understand the plight of the downtrodden and able to gather the support of outsiders. Furthermore, mainstream society has recast these candidates as embodiments of respect and morality, above traditional corruption that permeates Indian politics. As a result of their improved prominence, India has taken some effective measures in acknowledging the legal status of hijras. For example, there are three distinct gender classification choices available on the Indian Passport-ma le, female, and others' (Patel_2010:836). In addition, the prominence of hijras in the media has fostered increased social acceptance of transgendered individuals. Thus far, the state of Tamil Nadu seems the most accepting. There, a transsexual hosts a local talk show called Ippadikku Rose. The state also hosts an annual transgender festival to facilitate accept- ance of hijras into mainstream society. In addition, hijras are making appearances in the fashion industry, and recent Bollywood films portray them in a positive light. In 1994, the South Indian film Tamanna portrayed the life of a hijra who saves a young girl from life on the streets and later adopts her. In 2008, a hijra was cast as the first transgender in the country with a lead role in a mainstream Tamil movie. Despite receiving some recognition and social acceptance, hijras remain an ostracized and differentiated social class. Hijras struggle to reconcile their physical visibility with the invisibility of their community as a whole. In the end, however, community invisibility makes hijras susceptible to gender violence and other human rights abuses. By creating and recognizing transgender rights, India has the capacity to battle its current HIV/AIDS epidemic in a meaningful way, give real effect to the human rights of sexual minorities, and serve as a model for other nations to recognize gender-based rights. In order to accomplish these goals, however, India must repeal current discriminatory laws and enact equal opportunity legislation on the basis of gender and sexuality. In order for there to be meaningful change, formal legislation must be passed, and with the help of the human rights activists and unions, the legislation could very well happen. Works Consulted Amisha, R. P. (2010). INDIAS HIJRAS: THE CASE FOR TRANSGENDER RIGHTS[dagger]. The George Washington International Law Review, 42(4), 835-863. Nick Harvey http://www.newstatesman.com/world-affairs/2008/05/hijras-indian-changing-rights (Hijras Indian Changing Rights) The Hijras of India http://lisa.cs.duke.edu/~john/finalproject/ Khan, S. I., Hussain, M. I., Parveen, S., Bhuiyan, M. I., Gourab, G., Sarker, G. F., . . . Sikder, J. (2009). Living on the extreme margin: Social exclusion of the transgender population (hijra) in bangladesh. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 27(4), 441-51. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/docview/202996682?accountid=14816

Free Essays - Breaking Kates Spirit in Taming of the Shrew :: Taming Shrew Essays

Breaking Kate's Spirit in Taming of the Shrew In the play Taming of the Shrew, a man named Petruchio attempts to tame a mean spirited woman named Kate. Much to Kate's chagrin Petruchio convinces her father that Kate loves him so they will now be married. Through several maneuvers to try and squash Kate's pride, Petruchio is met with strong resistance at first when he finds she can equal him in verbal back and forth. The fact that Petruchio could match Kate surprises her as well. Eventually, Kate sarcastically gives in with her speech about the sun and moon on the way to her sister's wedding. Finally after all his calculating moves throughout Petruchio successfully breaks Kate's spirit which is evident in her final speech. Petruchio undertakes to woo Kate before he has met her. He decides to recommend himself to her father as the dominant male that could tame her: "And so she yields to me. For I am rough and woo not like a babe."(II.I.136-137) Petruchio reports to Baptista that it is a match. Conclusively, he refuses any further discussion of the matter. If Petruchio were to speak more of the truth then his strategy to woo Kate may be revealed. His domineering attitude has limited Kate to express her thoughts of the situation. From the moment Petruchio sets foot in her room, Kate is most abrasive towards him. Kate makes an effort to assert her dominance by developing a shrewish attitude. They engage in a lengthy verbal duel with elaborate puns. "If be waspish, best beware my sting."(II.I.209) Kate's puns are generally insulting or threatening, but Petruchio twists them into sexual innuendo. His persistence in breaking her spirit causes Kate to become more conniving. Petruchio has employed a hawking metaphor to describe how he has begun his reign over Kate. "My falcon now is sharp and passing empty. And till she stoop she must not be full-gorg'd, for then she never looks up her lure. Another way I have to man my haggard, To make her come, and know her keeper's call, That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites That bate and beat, and will not be obedient.