Comparing and Contrasting Regions Compare and contrast the four geographic regions covered in this course (Europe, Russia and neighboring Countries, North America and Latin America) in terms of how the physical, cultural, economic, and historical characteristics of one region is different from others? Do not just list the characteristics or simply describe one region followed by another, but compare and contrast the geographical characteristics of the four world regions by using their physical, cultural, economic, and/or historical criteria (characteristics), which are used to define the regions. You may want to consider the following physical and human characteristics to discuss how these characteristics make one region different from another: ? Physical Geography o Landscapes, natural vegetation, ecological regions o climate, precipitation o Physical barriers at the region boundaries like oceans, seas, mountains, deserts, rain forests, etc. o environmental issues ? Cultural Geography o Religion, language, politics, others ? Economic Geography o level of development (Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) GNP per capita, HDI index) o % labor force in primary, secondary, tertiary activities ? Population Geography o population growth rate (natural increase): birth rates, death rates o population density o urbanization (% urban) ? Historical Geography o Historical legacy of the region (Colonial experiences, war, superpower status�) o Culture hearths o Other contemporary issues? Important Instructions: ? Your essay should be based on your textbook reading of chapter s 3, 4, 11 and 12. ? Write your paper in a neat and organized manner. ? Your paper should be more than 1000 words (or minimum 5 pages, double spaced, using standard margins and fonts). ? Cite your references appropriately and use your own words. Any form of plagiarism is not tolerated in this course. Give for each sources you use the author’s name, title, place of publication, name of publisher, and date of publication. When citing books or articles in the body of the review you may use a short form: Smith 2003, p. 23. (Be sure to give page references for direct quotations or specific statements.)