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MODULE IN WORLD GEOGRAPHY

To the Student

This module is a self-learning material especially prepared and

designed for students like you. World Geography as a discipline is a

realm so vast, hence this module will allow you to see, in a geographical

context, the basic aspects of the earth’s features both physical and

human.

As future seafarer, this module provides a basic geographic

overview in understanding and appreciating the earth as the world of

man, a world you share with more than 6.8 billion other people. The study

of geography has led people of all eras the curiosity to explore new

environments, travel to different and strange places, and enjoy other

cultures. Understanding geography, you will be able to develop your own

mental map that will serve as your guide to different places of destination.

The success of this material will solely rely on your effort and time

spent in every lesson, and with honesty for basically your work should be

authentically yours and original as regards answers to the tests and

exercises.

To be familiar with the different parts of this module, you should

follow the guide below:

1. The Objectives. It will guide you on the specific knowledge and

skills you need to develop as you go through every lesson.

2. The Pre-test. This is a test given prior to the presentation of the

lesson which will reveal the knowledge and skills you have

already developed.

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3. The Priming Frame. It begins each of the lessons in the

module and conditions you for actual lesson.

4. The Teaching Frame. This is the lesson proper presented in

small segments to facilitate and speed up understanding.

5. The Test Frame. It is a short list of self-assessment questions

based on the lesson immediately preceding. This is to

continuously evaluate how far you understand the lesson

content.

6. Feedback. This part contains the answers to the tests and/or

exercises you will be performing through which you will find out

which part you have failed or succeeded.

7. Long test (Mid-term and Final). Upon finishing a number of

modules specified in your course budget outlay and

accomplishing all exercises, test frames and other related

enrichment activities which you are to submit to the JBLF

Distance Education Center, you will be given a mid-term exam

which covers the first half of the course requirement and a final

exam for the remaining half for purposes of scholastic rating.

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MODULE 1

CONCEPTS, ELEMENTS AND BRANCHES OF GEOGRAPHY

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. define geography.

2. identify the basic concepts of geography.

3. enumerate the branches of geography

4. explain the elements of geography

Pre-test.

On the space provided, write true if the statement is right and false if it

is wrong.

__________ 1. Geography also deals with natural relationships between people

and their environment.

__________ 2. It is common to see two places on the earth’s surface that are

exactly identical.

__________ 3. Climatology is concerned with the study of ocean and its

phenomena.

__________ 4. Another name for human geography is anthropology.

__________ 5. Geomorphology is one of the branches of geography.

Pre-test feedback. If your answer to item nos. 1, 4, & 5 are true and false for

item nos.2 & 3, congratulations. If your score is 1-2, you need improvement;

3—fair; 4---good; 5---very good.

________________________________________________________________

Priming frame

This lesson will provide you with the basic concepts of geography, its

elements and branches. Basic knowledge of these aspects would serve as a

guide in understanding how you would live, interact, relate and adapt to your

environment.

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Definition of Geography

Geography comes from the Greek words geo (“the earth”) and graphos

(“to write” or “to describe”). It is defined as “the field of knowledge that studies

the relationship between the earth and its people.” Geographers are interested

in where people, plants and animals live, where rivers, lakes, mountains, cities

and other geographic features can be found and how they are interrelated.

Geography also shows how land and people affect each other (Tintero and

Manacsa, 1996).

Basic concepts about geography (Agno, et. al., 1998):

1. Geography is the study of area differentiation of the Earth’s surface.

This simply refers to the differences of areas on the planet Earth. In fact, there

are no two places that are exactly the same on the earth’s surface. The study of

these differences in space is important in understanding how people live in their

respective environments.

2. Geography is the study of natural relationships between people and

their environment. People everywhere meet their needs by interacting with each

other. They utilize the resources in their own environment. Thus, through the

years, mutual relationships exist between the people and their environment.

Such being the case, many peoples of the world have adapted to and have

modified their environment to survive and have a better quality of life.

3. Geography is the study of the physical features of the Earth’s

surface and the various human activities that take place on it. This definition

refers to two major subdivisions of geography, namely physical geography and

human geography. Physical geography describes and explains the distribution

of the natural features of the Earth and defines the regions that are continually

affected by forces and processes in nature. On the other hand, human

geography deals with the distribution of people, their cultural attributes and their

activities on the earth’s surface.

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Elements of Geography

An analysis of the human habitat indicates that its nature results from the

interaction of two groups of elements, the physical or natural and the cultural or

human. Climate, topography, the geographic arrangement of people and

resources, and numerous other factors illustrate the role of the physical

elements as the backdrop of human behavior. Man has learned to either control

or modify and accept certain physical elements to varying degrees but he

cannot ignore them for they are the fundamental substance of his life on earth.

According to Duka (2001), the following are the basic elements that constitute

geographic study:

Physical (natural) elements Cultural (human) elements

1. Water features: oceans, seas, lakes , streams ponds, , sheet flows, soil water and other underground water

2. Landforms: major and minor including rocks materials

3. Soils: group and individual types

4. Mineral resources: actual and potential

5. Climate and Weather: long- term and short-term behavior of the atmosphere

Hydrosphere

Lithosphere

Atmosphere

Biosphere

1. Population: numbers, densities, and patterns of distribution.2. Cultural inheritance: man’s acquired capabilities, habits, and institutions, especially those that relate to his uses of the physical elements of the habitat3. Major occupations: hunting fishing, gathering mining, lumbering, agriculture and animal husbandry, manufacturing , trade and services4. Major works: structures, rural and urban settlements, routes and methods of transportation, and communication.

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Branches of Geography

A. Regional geography. Deals with all or many of the geographic

elements of a place or region. Within the region, it investigates and analyzes the

distribution and association of elements that give the region its distinctive

character.

B. Physical geography. It is concerned with the location of such earth

features as land, water, and climate; their relationship to one another and to

human activities; and the forces that create and change them. Physical

geography is further subdivided into the following:

1. Geomorphology. It is a kind of physical geography that studies

land and water forms as well as the development of irregularities in the surface

of the earth. Among its numerous subjects are glaciations, river floodplains,

underground caves, shorelines, coral reefs, sand dunes, volcanic features, and

the erosion cycle.

2. Climatology. It analyzes differences and similarities in climate

from place to place. It considers wind movements, cloud formation, temperature

changes, and precipitation of all kinds. It is related closely to meteorology, the

science that examines weather changes that occurs from day to day.

3. Mathematical geography. It has to do with the accurate

measurements of the earth and the calculation of the exact location of points on

the earth’s surface such as the exact location of a city in latitude and longitude.

4. Oceanography. It is concerned with the study of the ocean and

its phenomena, current wave activity, temperature differences, and tides.

5. Biography. It is concerned with the study of the geographical

distribution of plants, known as plant geography and phytogeography, and of

animals, known as zoogeography. This kind of physical geography requires a

sound background of botany and zoology.

6. Medical geography. It is a relatively new science and is

concerned with the study of the relationship between disease-causing

organisms and their physical environment.

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C. Human Geography. Another name for human geography is

anthropology. Its primary concern is man and his works so that it is closely allied

with the other social sciences such as economics, political science, history,

sociology, and anthropology. The different kinds of human geography are:

1. Cultural geography deals with the study of the distribution of

cultural traits such as customs, traditions, taboos, religions, dialects, customs,

and dwellings. It studies world regions in terms of culture, that is, the way of life

prevailing in them.

2. Population geography deals with the study of the numbers and

distribution of people. It is related to demography, the statistical study of

population. The population geographer deals with regional differences in

numbers, ethnic groupings, religious compositions, and rate of population

growth.

3. Political geography deals with the study of the relationship

between the political units such as provinces or states, nations, or unions of

nations. Political geographers also study how boundaries are drawn, how well

these are observed, and the probable problems or disputes they may create.

4. Historical geography is the study of the manner by which

geographic patterns of man and his works change through time; or it may place

emphasis only on the complete geography of a small region at a certain time.

5. Urban geography is the study of cities with the important roles

cities play in the life of the nation. Urban geography is one of the latest growing

kinds of human geography. Urban geography is usually concerned with the

study of the site of a city and how it has influenced the type and direction of its

growth, the function of a city and its specializations if there are any, as well as

the suburbs or its so-called support area with which the city has strong

commercial ties.

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Post-test Activity No. 1

Matching Type. Match the entries in the right column by choosing the letter

of the item that best describes the statement in the left column.

_______ 1. Urban geography A. study of the ocean

_______ 2. Population geography B. concerned with the location of earth

features like land, water and climate

_______ 3. Oceanography C. study of natural relationships

between people & their environment

________ 4. Geography D. deals with work structure and

communication

________ 5. Physical geography E. the study of the cities

________ 6. Anthropology F. the study of relationship between

states and nations

________ 7. Political geography G. the study of distribution of people

________ 8. Cultural geography H. the study of customs, traditions, and

religion

________ 9. Climatology I. another name for human geography

________10. Graphos J. to write or to describe

K. the study of wind movements and cloud

formations

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MODULE 2

THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE, SEASONS, LANDFORMS, CLIMATE AND VEGETATION

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. define atmosphere and give its importance.

2. cite the reasons why there are seasons and explain its changes

3. discuss the major types of landforms

4. identify the Koppen System climate classification

5. explain the effect of climate change

6. describe climate’s influence on soils and vegetation.

Pre-test.

Write the word(s) referred to by the following statements.

___________________ 1. The first people to recognize that the earth was

round.

___________________ 2. Imaginary lines drawn on globes to show distances

north and south of the equator.

___________________ 3. The source of all energy on earth.

___________________ 4. The most famous map projection in history.

___________________ 5. The distance measured between two meridians.

Pre-test feedback. Check your responses against these: (1) Greeks,

(2) Latitudes (3) Sun (4) Mercator projection, (5) Longitude. If your score is

1-2, you need improvement; 3—fair; 4—satisfactory; and 5—very satisfactory.

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Priming frame

Planet Earth together with other planets and billions of other objects

that revolve around the sun comprise our solar system. It is a wonder how our

solar system works and quite difficult to fathom the interrelationships among the

heavenly bodies, hence in this lesson our focus is centered on the only planet,

as far as we know, that supports life, the planet Earth.

Further, in mapping our round planet, it is a must that you should

provide yourself with maps, globes or mini-atlas as indispensable tools of

geography. These would greatly help you acquire information about the world

you live in.

Teaching frame

A planet is a large body that revolves around and is illuminated by a

star. The Earth is a planet in a solar system. Our solar system is made up of 1

star, 9 planets, 42 known moons, some 50,000 asteroids and billions of comets,

meteors, and meteorites (English, 1997). All of these objects revolve around a

star we call the sun. The sun is the source of all energy on Earth burning up 4

million tons of its mass every second. Earth receives this energy as heat and

light.

The sun is nearly 93 million miles away from us. Light traveling from the

sun at a speed of 186,000 miles per second reaches us in just over eight

minutes. Although huge, our solar system is really a small neighborhood in a

galaxy made up of 100 billion stars. Beyond our galaxy lie billions of other

galaxies that make up the universe.

The four inner planets closest to the sun--Mercury, Venus, Earth, and

Mars—are smaller, rounder, and more dense than the five outer planets of

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. In fact, most planets are barren

lumps of rock like Mercury or giant balls of gas like Jupiter. Venus and Mars are

two planets closest to Earth. Mars is perpetually frozen; Venus is a boiling

inferno. Only Earth supports life as we know it.

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Size and Structure of Our Planet

Planet Earth is 7,926 miles in diameter when cut in half through the

middle and 24,902 miles in circumference at the equator, an imaginary line that

marks the midway point between the North and South poles. Earth is nearly a

perfect sphere. The highest point on Earth’s surface is Mount Everest on the

Nepal-China border in Asia at 29,028 feet. The greatest known depth below sea

level is the 35,827 foot-deep Mariana Trench east of the Philippine Islands in the

Pacific Ocean. The largest bodies of water are Earth’s four oceans—the Pacific,

Atlantic, Indian and Arctic. The Pacific Ocean alone is larger than the entire land

area of the planet. Along with smaller bodies of water like the Mediterranean

and Black Seas, these oceans are the source of all the Earth’s available water.

Evaporation from seas and oceans provides the moisture in the atmosphere that

falls as rain and snow.

The surface of planet Earth is smooth and is constantly in flux—

stretching, contracting, and moving. Stable as they may seem, the seven

continents of Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and

South America and the tectonic plates under oceans are always moving.

Physical geographers measure these events precisely. Hawaii is moving two

inches closer to Japan each year; Australia is headed toward New Zealand at a

rate of four inches a year. Parts of Southern California are now sliding northward

toward Canada. Stable as it may seem, the Earth’s surface is elastic.

The Seasons

The Earth makes one revolution around the sun in 365¼ days or one

year. The extra one-fourth of a day is the reason there is a leap year, an extra

day in the calendar every four years. As Earth revolves, it also rotates on its

axis from west to east. Each complete rotation takes twenty-four hours. Earths’

turning toward and away from the sun causes day and night.

Seasons occur because the Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23½

degrees as it moves around the sun. On about June 21st the Northern

hemisphere is tilted toward the sun. The sun appears directly overhead at an

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imaginary line of latitude known as the Tropic of Cancer. This day is the summer

solstice, or beginning of summer, in the Northern hemisphere. It is the longest

day of the year. The word solstice is used to describe that day when the sun

appears to stop in its journey, pause, and turn back toward the equator.

Six months later - about December 21st - the North pole is tilted away.

The sun’s direct rays strike the line of latitude called the Tropic of Capricorn.

This is the winter solstice – a time of winter in the Northern hemisphere, where it

is the shortest day of the year, but the beginning of summer in the Southern

hemisphere.

Twice a year, that is midway between the two solstices on about

March 21st and September 23rd , the sun’s rays are directly overhead over the

equator. These two dates are called equinoxes, when day and night are of

equal length everywhere on earth.

Earth’s Atmosphere

Atmosphere is the mixture of gases surrounding the Earth to which all

living things depend. The atmosphere provides oxygen for breathing. Dry and

pure air contains about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 0.03% carbon dioxide.

The atmosphere filters out harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, traps the sun’s

energy and regulates temperatures, keeping them within the narrow limits that

human beings can tolerate. The atmosphere is our envelope of life.

Energy from the sun warms our planet. During the day, land and water

surfaces absorb solar energy and warm up. At night, the Earth’s surface

releases much of the energy back into space. Some of this radiant energy,

however, is trapped for a while in the land and oceans and also in the

atmosphere by carbon dioxide, a transparent gas in the air. This trapping of

energy is called the “greenhouse effect.”

Regions of Atmospheric Pressure

The circulation systems in the atmosphere and the oceans redistribute

energy. Differences in heating cause difference in the weight of air, which

determines the atmospheric pressure.

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Low Pressure is created when air is warmed, the air expands, becomes lighter

and rises. As this air rises, clouds, rain or storms often occur. When warm air

rises because of the surface heating of the land, the resulting rain is called

convection precipitation. It is called frontal precipitation when a warm air mass

rises above a colder air mass leading to rain sleet or snow. Precipitation refers

to the condensed droplets of water vapor that appear as dew, rain, snow, sleet

or hail.

High pressure is created when air is cooled and loses its ability to hold

moisture and becomes dense and heavy. This cooler air creates high pressure

areas where the atmosphere tends to be very stable. The air, like water, flows

from areas of high pressure to areas of lower pressure, heat is redistributed in

the atmosphere.

The flow of air from high to low pressure occurs daily along coastlines.

These air flows, or winds, are caused by differences in the heating of the land

and water surfaces. Winds are rivers of air that are named after the directions

from which they blow.

Land heats up and cools down faster than water and this causes

differences in air pressure over the land and water. In the daytime, sunlight

heats the land surface more rapidly than it heats the water. When the air above

the land warms and rises, air from the slower-heating ocean flows inland from

high to low pressure and creates a sea breeze. At night an opposite flow is set

up, because the land loses its heat faster than the ocean. The air above the

water warms, becomes lighter, and rises. The cooler air from the land flows

seaward and creates a land breeze.

Water and Landforms

Water covers 70.9% of the Earth's surface, and is vital for all known

forms of life. On Earth, it is found mostly in oceans and other large water bodies,

with 1.6% of water below ground in aquifers and 0.001% in the air as vapor,

clouds (formed of solid and liquid water particles suspended in air), and

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precipitation. Oceans hold 97% of surface water, glaciers and polar ice caps

2.4%, and other land surface water such as rivers, lakes and ponds 0.6%. A

very small amount of the Earth's water is contained within biological bodies and

manufactured products.

The total amount of water on the earth does not change. Water on Earth

moves continually through a cycle of evaporation or transpiration, precipitation,

and runoff, usually reaching the sea. Over land, evaporation and transpiration

contribute to the precipitation over land.

Landforms are classified by geographers and geologists into four major

types. Large flat mainly grassy areas are the plains. Lands with elevations more

than 1,000 feet above the surrounding areas are called mountains. Hills are

elevated land masses that are less than 1,000 feet above their surroundings.

Plateaus are flat elevated areas perched between 300 to 3,000 feet high. These

major landforms were formed as a result of tectonic activity, or earthquakes.

Other landforms are the result of volcanic eruptions. In fact, mountains that were

formed by tectonic activity are called fold mountains, while those formed by

volcanic eruptions are called volcanic mountains. Still other landforms resulted

from the effects of weathering, erosion and the movement of glaciers. Minor

landforms include buttes, canyons, valleys and basins. .

Mountains are perhaps the most noticeable of the major landforms and

are found on every continent, as well as beneath the ocean. The largest

mountain, by volume, is Hawaii's Maono Loa. The longest chain of mountains is

the Mid Ocean Range. Both Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean and Iceland are

member peaks of this range.

More than half of the earth's surface is covered by plains like the Central

Plains of the United States and the plains in Eastern China. Some plains that

continue to grow in surface area are the deltas that form by land carried in the

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current and deposited at the mouths of major rivers. The largest deltas are the

Nile River Delta, Mississippi River Delta and Rhone River Delta.

Plateaus account for about 30 percent of the earth's surface. They are

elevations that terminate in flat lands. Some people call them tablelands

because of their shape. There are often layers of both hard and soft rock in a

plateau. These landforms were caused when the earth's crust was forced

upward.

Some landforms are described by geographers based on their

relationship to larger land areas or bodies of water. An isthmus is a narrow piece

of land that connects two larger pieces of land. A peninsula is a piece of land

that is surrounded by water on three sides. A body of land smaller than a

continent and surrounded by water is called an island.

Climate Change

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change defines

climate change as "a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to

human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is

in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods."

Climate change is synonymous with “global warming”.

The crucial component that causes climate change is human activity.

These include the burning of fossil fuels; the heavy use of power plants, cars,

airplanes, buildings, and other man-made structures; nylon and nitric acid

production; the use of fertilizers in agriculture, and the burning of organic matter;

and deforestation

Effects

The warming of the atmosphere has significant effects on both natural

environment and human life. Obvious effects include glacial retreat, Arctic

shrinkage, and worldwide sea level rise. As climate changes, everything

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changes from the natural habitats of wildlife to the culture and sustainability of a

region.

The melting of the polar ice caps results to rising sea levels. Rising sea

levels are also caused by expanding ocean water, melting mountain glaciers,

and the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica melting or sliding into the

oceans. Rising sea levels result in coastal erosion, coastal flooding, increased

salinity of rivers, bays, and aquifers, and shoreline retreat. This will desalinize

the ocean and disrupt natural ocean currents. Since ocean currents regulate

temperatures by bringing warmer currents into cooler regions and cooler

currents into warmer regions, a halt in this activity may cause extreme climate

changes, such as Western Europe experiencing a mini-ice age.

The melting of ice caps will change the albedo, that is, the ratio of the light

reflected by any part of the earth's surface or atmosphere. Since snow has one

of the highest albedo level, it reflects sunlight back into space, helping to keep

the earth cooler. As it melts, more sunlight is absorbed by the earth's

atmosphere and the temperature tends to increase, thus further contributes to

global warming.

Climate change will likewise affect wildlife adaptations and cycles, an

alteration of the natural balance of the earth.

Koppen’s Global Climate Classification System

A. Tropical Climates

The tropics are located near the equator between the Tropics of Cancer

(23 ½ oN) and Tropics of Capricorn (23 1/2 oS). Two types of climate are found

here. Tropical rainforest climate (AF) is located at and near the equator.

Temperatures never cool in these regions, they are constantly hot and

constantly wet. It rains almost everyday.

Tropical monsoon and tropical savanna climate (Am, Aw) are also hot

year-round but unlike tropical rainforest climates, there are areas that have a

pronounced dry season during the winter.

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B. Dry climates

Dry climates are found in the sub-tropical latitude just north and south of

the tropic. In these areas, the stable and sinking air of the subtropical high-

pressure belts discourages rainfall. In the vicinity of the Tropic of Cancer the

desert climate (BW) are hot and dry year-round. Plant life is limited to species

that are adapted to survive heat and drought

Steppe climates (BS) which are found on the margins of these deserts,

have somewhat more rainfall. Short grasses cover these lands with limited and

unpredictable rainfall to sustain dense vegetation.

C. Temperate Climates

Temperate Climates are found in the middle latitudes where cold air

masses from polar regions and warm air from the tropics collide. The three

types of temperate climate all have warm and cool seasons but differ in their

annual distribution of rainfall:

First, temperate climates that have rainfall for most of the year (Cf) are

widely distributed throughout the middle latitudes. Among these are marine

climates with mild, moist climates and humid sub-tropical climates, having hot,

muggy summers and cool to cold winters.

Second, temperate climates with a dry summer are also called

Mediterranean climates. These regions have mild, wet winters and hot, dry

summers. Only in this type of climate does precipitation fall during the winter

rather than during the summer.

The third type of temperate climate is characterized by dry winters and

wet summers. These humid areas support luxurious mixed forests and

grasslands.

D. Continental Climates

Continental climates have long, cold winters and short, hot summers

because of their location in the central and eastern parts of continents in the

middle latitudes of the Northern hemisphere. Temperature is the crucial variable

in the productivity of these regions.

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E. Polar Climates

Polar climates are located at the northern and southern extremities of the

planet, north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle. Both climates

in this category have extremely cold winters and very short summer. Tundra

climates (E) have at least one month with an average temperature above

freezing. During this brief warm period, some plants can grow but generally

tundra vegetation is limited to scattered patches of mosses, lichens and ferns.

Trees cannot survive in many months of cold weather. Still further poleward, ice

cap climates (E), which are located around the poles have very low

temperatures that the ground is permanently frozen. Virtually no plants life exists

in these frozen areas. Both tundra climates and ice cap climate have low rainfall,

because cold air is not able to hold moisture

F. Highland Climates (H)

Highland or mountainous climates (H) vary a great deal depending on

slope and elevation. In general, temperature is cooler at higher elevations.

Rainfall is high, particularly on windward slopes, vegetation changes with

elevation. In tropical areas, rainforest give away to a variety or forest then

meadows and finally permanent snow cover in high ranges like Andes and

Himalaya mountains.

Climate and Vegetation

Climate has a vital influence on the kinds of soils and vegetation found on

earth. Soil formation greatly depends on the climate, and soils from different

climate zones show distinctive characteristics. Temperature and moisture affect

weathering and leaching. Wind moves sand and other particles, especially in

arid regions where there is little plant cover. The type and amount of

precipitation influence soil formation by affecting the movement of ions and

particles through the soil, aiding in the development of different soil profiles.

Seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations affect the effectiveness of water in

weathering parent rock material and affect soil dynamics. The cycle of freezing

and thawing is an effective mechanism to break up rocks and other consolidated

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materials. Temperature and precipitation rates affect biological activity, rates of

chemical reactions and types of vegetation cover.

Vegetation impacts soils in numerous ways. It can prevent erosion from

rain or surface runoff. It shades soils, keeping them cooler and slowing

evaporation of soil moisture, or it can cause soils to dry out by transpiration.

Plants can form new chemicals that break down or build up soil particles.

Vegetation depends on climate, land form topography and biological factors.

Soil factors such as soil density, depth, chemistry, pH, temperature and

moisture greatly affect the type of plants that can grow in a given location. Dead

plants, dropped leaves and stems of plants fall to the surface of the soil and

decompose. There, organisms feed on them and mix the organic material with

the upper soil layers; these organic compounds become part of the soil

formation process, ultimately shaping the type of soil formed.

Post test.

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MODULE 3

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION, DIRECTION AND REPRESENTATION OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. locate specific points on earth using geographic coordinates of latitudes

and longitudes

2. demonstrate how latitude and longitude work in determining time zones

3. identify the types of maps and map projections

4. explain map essentials and conduct map reading

The most common way to locate points on the surface of the Earth is by

standard, geographic coordinates called latitude and longitude. These

coordinates values are measured in degrees, and represent angular distances

calculated from the center of the Earth.

Any location on Earth is described by two numbers--its latitude and its

longitude. If a pilot or a ship's captain wants to specify position on a map, these

are the "coordinates" they would use.

Latitude

Latitudes are imaginary lines drawn on globes to show distances north

and south of the equator. A latitude is the distance between two parallels. The

location of a place determines the amount of sunlight that that place receives.

Actually, these are two angles, measured in degrees, "minutes of arc" and

"seconds of arc." These are denoted by the symbols ( °,   ',   "  ) e.g. 35° 43' 9"

means an angle of 35 degrees, 43 minutes and 9 seconds. A degree contains

60 minutes of arc and a minute contains 60 seconds of arc. On the globe, lines

of latitude are circles of different size.

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Five latitudes are especially important because they act as benchmarks that tell us the amount of sunlight reaching places along each line. The longest is the equator, whose latitude is zero, while at the poles--at latitudes 90° north and 90° south (or -90°) the circles shrink to a point. The equator, receives more direct sunlight than any place on Earth, which is why regions near the equator are usually hot all year. The Tropic of Cancer, north of the equator at 23 N, and Tropic of Capricorn, south of the equator at 23 S, mark the farthest points away from the equator that receive vertical sunlight. The belt between these two lines of latitude, or parallels, is called the low latitudes or tropics.

Far north of the equator, 66 N, is the Arctic Circle and far south of the

Equator 66 S is the Antarctic Circle. These are the parallels closest to the

equator and farthest from the poles that have at least one day of complete

sunlight and one day of complete darkness each year. North of the Arctic Circle

and south of the Antartic Circle are the high latitudes or polar regions. The high

latitudes receive little heat from the sun, which is why they are cold. The North

and South Poles have six months of daylight and six months of darkness each

year. Two other belts are located between the low latitudes of the tropics and

high latitudes of the polar regions. These are the middle latitudes or temperate

region; they are found between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle and

between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle. These belts of latitude

are used to describe variations in the amount of sunlight that warms the surface

of the Earth.

Longitude

    On the globe, lines of constant longitude extend from pole to pole. Every

meridian must cross the equator. Since the equator is a circle, we can divide it--

like any circle--into 360 degrees, and the longitude φ of a point is then the

marked value of that division where its meridian meets the equator. The

meridian passing the old Royal Astronomical Observatory in Greenwich,

England, is the zero longitude. Located at the eastern edge of London, the

British capital, the observatory is now a public museum and a brass band

stretching across its yard marks the "prime meridian."

A lines of longitude is also called a meridian, derived from the Latin, from

meri, a variation of "medius" which denotes "middle", and diem, meaning "day."

The word once meant "noon", and times of the day before noon were known as

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"ante meridian", while times after it were "post meridian." Today's abbreviations

a.m. and p.m. come from these terms, and the Sun at noon was said to be

"passing meridian". All points on the same line of longitude experienced noon

(and any other hour) at the same time and were therefore said to be on the

same "meridian line", which became "meridian" for short.

Local and Universal Time

    Two important concepts, related to latitude and (especially) longitude are

Local time (LT) and Universal time (UT). Local time is actually a measure of the

position of the Sun relative to a locality. At 12 noon local time the Sun passes to

the south and is furthest from the horizon (northern hemisphere). Somewhere

around 6 am it rises, and around 6 pm it sets. Local time is what you and I use

to regulate our lives locally, our work times, meals and sleep-times.

But suppose we wanted to time an astronomical event--e.g. the time when

the 1987 supernova was first detected. For that we need a single agreed-on

clock, marking time world-wide, not tied to our locality. That is universal time

(UT), which can be defined as the local time in Greenwich, England, at the zero

meridian. Astronomers, astronauts and people dealing with satellite data may

need a time schedule which is the same everywhere, not tied to a locality or

time zone. The Greenwich mean time, the astronomical time at Greenwich

(averaged over the year) is generally called Universal Time (UT).

Local Time (LT) and Time Zones

    Longitudes are measured from zero to 180° east and 180° west (or -180°),

and both 180-degree longitudes share the same line, in the middle of the Pacific

Ocean. As the Earth rotates around its axis, at any moment one line of

longitude--"the noon meridian"--faces the Sun, and at that moment, it will be

noon everywhere on it. After 24 hours the Earth has undergone a full rotation

with respect to the Sun, and the same meridian again faces noon. Thus each

hour the Earth rotates by 360/24 = 15 degrees.

When at your location the time is 12 noon, 15° to the east the time is 1 p.m., for that is the meridian which faced the Sun an hour ago. On the other hand, 15° to the west the time is 11 a.m., for in an hour's time, that meridian will face the Sun and experience noon.

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    In the middle of the 19th century, each community across the US defined

in this manner its own local time, by which the Sun, on the average, reached the

farthest point from the horizon (for that day) at 12 o clock. However, travelers

crossing the US by train had to re-adjust their watches at every city, and long

distance telegraph operators had to coordinate their times. This confusion led

railroad companies to adopt time zones, broad strips (about 15° wide) which

observed the same local time, differing by 1 hour from neighboring zones, and

the system was adopted by the nation as a whole. Only Saudi Arabia uses local

times, because of religious considerations.

The International Date Line

The international date line has been established - following the 180th

meridian--where by common agreement, whenever we cross it the date

advances one day (going west) or goes back one day (going east). That line

passes the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia, which thus have different

dates, but for most of its course it runs in mid-ocean and does not

inconvenience any local time keeping.

Mapping Our Round Planet

The Greeks were the first to recognize that the earth was round, thus

modern mapmaking began with them. They also developed the first grid system

of lines of longitude and latitude that makes it possible to locate places

accurately on the Earth’s surface. Together, meridians and parallels form a grid

that locates places exactly on Earth.

Reading Maps

Mapmakers, or cartographers, provide a great deal of information on each

map-information that is explained in a map key, or legend. A map key explains

the symbols used on the map. Line symbols mark boundaries of countries and

states and show rivers, railroads, and streets. They also are used as contour

lines to connect points on a map that have the same elevation. Point symbols

mark the location of cities, oil wells, schools, and other places of interest. Area

symbols use shading or color to provide information about areas that grow the

same crops or have the same population density, climate or elevation. A map

scale, which is sometimes called a scale bar, is a line or bar that marks out how

many inches on the map equal how many miles on Earth’s surface. Map scale is

also expressed by using a representative fraction such as 1:62, 500, which is

24

frequently used because 1 inch on the map equals approximately 1 mile on the

ground. Each map you use might have a different scale.

Other map symbols are usually explained in the map key. Developing

map –reading skills is important to learning about the geography of our planet.

Different Kinds of Maps

Political Maps generally show political, or human – made divisions,

boundaries of countries or regions. It may also show cities and bodies of water

surrounding the country.

Physical Maps show the physical features of an area, such as its

mountains and rivers. Physical maps use colors and shadings to show relief-

how flat or rugged the land surface is. Colors also may be used to show

elevation - the height of an area above sea level. Mapmakers also use color to

show rainfall, types of soil, or plant life

Contour Maps are maps that show elevation through contour lines-one

for each major level of elevation. All the land at the same elevation is connected

by a line. If contour lines come very close together, the surface is steep. If the

lines are spread far apart, the land is flat or rises very gradually.

Special Purpose Maps show cultural features, historical changes,

unique physical features, population or climates. When looking at a special

purpose map, it is important to remember that you are seeing only the

information that relates to the map’s special purpose.

Map Projections

A map projection is a grid of lines projected onto one of several

geometrical surfaces. Some map projections permit mapmakers to represent

area in exact proportion to its reality on Earth. The shape may be distorted and

so may direction, but any square or rectangle on the map has a correct area.

These projections are called equal-area projections. Maps that show true shape

for limited areas are called conformal projections. Some projections are able to

show distance accurately from one or two points, and these are called

equidistant projections.

The most famous map projection in history is the Mercator projection, a

cylindrical projection named for its inventor, Gerardus Mercator. This man

produced some of the best maps and globes of his time, but his most famous

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projection was special. Every straight line on a Mercator projection is a line of

true direction, a loxodrome. This made it possible for navigators to plot straight

line, true-direction courses from one place to another on the surface of the Earth

using a Mercator map. Imagine yourself a captain of a ship without modern

navigational and communications equipment, and you will immediately realize

how useful such a map would be.

In addition to cylindrical projections, azimuthal (point) and conic (cone)

projections have been developed for special purposes. Azimuthal projections

measure equal distance from its central point to any point on the map. Conic

projections are useful to depict a hemisphere, or half the globe, or even smaller

parts of the globe.

 

The Hemispheres

The Northern Hemisphere is the portion of the Earth above the Equator.

Most of the landmasses of the Earth are found in the Northern Hemisphere e.g.,

North America and Eurasia. More than one half of the continent of Africa is

located in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Southern Hemisphere is below the Equator. The continents of

Australia, the smallest continent, and Antarctica, the coldest and almost

uninhabited continent are found here. Most of South America and the lower half

of the continent of Africa are found in the Southern Hemisphere. There is more

water than land in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Eastern and Western Hemispheres use the Prime Meridian (0

degrees longitude) as the point of reference. All areas located to the left of the

Prime Meridian belong to the Western Hemisphere. North America, South

America, and Greenland, the biggest island in the world, are in the western

Hemisphere.

The Eastern Hemisphere covers the Eurasian continent, most of Africa,

Australia, Japan, and the Philippines.

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Post-test Activity No. 5

A. True or False. Write True if the statement is correct and false if it is

incorrect.

__________ 1. The Pacific ocean is larger that the entire land area of the

planet.

__________ 2. Our solar system is made up of only one star and 9 planets.

__________ 3. Longitudes are lines which show distances north and south of

the equator.

__________ 4. The polar regions are referred to as the high latitudes.

__________ 5. Maps that show true shape for limited areas are called

conformal projection.

__________6. Azimuthal projections are useful to depict a hemisphere or

smaller parts of the globe.

__________ 7. Lines of latitudes are parallel to the equator.

__________ 8. The regions found in the high latitudes are cold because they

receive little heat from the sun.

__________ 9. The tropics are sometimes referred to as low latitudes.

__________10. Point symbols in map are used to locate cities, schools and

other places of interest.

B. Thought Questions

1. Why do places or regions of the earth have different seasons?

2. What is the importance of map symbols in map reading? How about

map projection?

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MODULE 4

LAND MASSES, MAJOR OCEANS AND SHIP CANALS

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. identify and locate the continents

2. explore the major oceans of the world.

3. point out the significance of ship canals to the shipping industry

4. name other bodies of water and cite its importance

Pre-test

In the space provided write true if the statement is right; if it is wrong,

change the underlined word or words to make it right.

_________________ 1. The second largest ocean is the Atlantic.

_________________ 2. Oceans cover nearly 80 percent of the Earth’s surface.

_________________ 3. The Indian Ocean is the smallest ocean in the world.

_________________ 4. The source of all of Earth’s water is the oceans & seas.

_________________ 5. The Arctic Ocean is larger than the entire land area of

the planet.

Pre-test feedback. Check your answer against these: (1) True, (2) 71 %,

(3) Arctic, (4) True, (5) Pacific Ocean

Score Legend:

1- 2—Needs Improvement

3—Fair

4—Satisfactory

5—Very Satisfactory

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Teaching Frame

Viewed from space, the surface of the Earth is made up of continents,

islands, and oceans. Continents are the largest continuous landmasses on

Earth’s surface. Seven continents are generally recognized: Asia, Africa, North

America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Continents vary

considerably in size.

Five of the seven continents are connected to other continents. Only

Antarctica and Australia are surrounded by water on all sides. North America is

connected at the Isthmus of Panama, and Africa is joined to Asia at the Isthmus

of Suez. Europe is a peninsula of Asia.

Continents

Asia

Asia, largest of the Earth’s seven continents covering about 30 percent

of the world's landmass, is located almost entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.

The continent of Asia is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east

by the Bering Strait and the Pacific Ocean, on the south by the Indian Ocean,

and on the southwest by the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea. On the west, the

conventional boundary between Europe and Asia is drawn at the Ural

Mountains, continuing south along the Ural River to the Caspian Sea, then west

along the Caucasus Mountains to the Black Sea. The Isthmus of Suez unites

Asia with Africa and it is generally agreed that the Suez Canal forms the border

between them. Two narrow straits, the Bosporus and the Dardanelles, separate

Anatolia from the Balkan Peninsula.

Africa

Africa, the second largest continent covering 23 percent of the world’s total

land area, is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the north, the Atlantic Ocean

in the west, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea in the east, and the meeting

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point of the Atlantic and the Indian oceans in the south. With most of its area

lying within the tropics, Africa is connected with Asia by the Sinai Peninsula and

separated from Europe by the Mediterranean sea.

North America

North America, third largest of the seven continents, is positioned in the

Earth's northern and western hemispheres. It is bordered on the north by the

Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the

Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific Ocean. North America

includes Canada, the United States, Mexico, all Caribbean and Central America

countries and Greenland, the world’s largest island. The term "Anglo-America" is

frequently used in reference to Canada which occupies all of North America

North of the United States (and East of Alaska) except for Greenland and the

French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon).

South America

South America, fourth largest of the Earth's seven continents, lies astride

the equator and tropic of Capricorn and is joined by the Isthmus of Panama, on

the north, to Central and North America. The continent extends from the

Caribbean Sea on the north to Cape Horn on the south. South America has a

huge triangular shaped landmass, which is almost as big as the USA. The

northern boundary of South America is the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean

eastern, the Pacific Ocean is to the west and the continent of Antarctica is in the

far south.

Antarctica

Antarctica, fifth largest of Earth’s seven continents, is located on the

Earth’s South Pole and is a place of extremes with nearly the entire landmass

lying within the Antarctic Circle. Nearly all of Antarctica is covered by an ice

sheet that is, on average, 2.5 kilometers thick. Massive ice sheets built up from

snow over millions of years cover entirely the continent and float in huge ice

shelves on coastal waters.

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Europe

Europe, conventionally one of the seven continents of the world, is the

second smallest in terms of area. Although referred to as a continent, Europe is

actually just the western fifth of the Eurasian landmass, which is made up

primarily of Asia. Modern geographers generally describe the Ural Mountains,

the Ural River, part of the Caspian Sea, and the Caucasus Mountains as

forming the main boundary between Europe and Asia. Europe is bordered by

the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean

Sea, the Black Sea, and the Caspian Sea to the south and by the Ural

Mountains to the east.

Oceania

Oceania is a geopolitical or continental region that lies between Asia and

the Americas, with Australia as the major land mass together with countries and

territories in the Pacific Ocean. It is the smallest continent in the world located in

the Southern Hemisphere and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the

Indian Ocean. The continent is bounded on the north by the Timor Sea, the

Arafura Sea, and the Torres Strait; on the east by the Coral Sea and the

Tasman Sea; on the south by the Bass Strait and the Indian Ocean; and on the

west by the Indian Ocean.

The name Oceania is used, rather than Australia, because unlike the

other continental groupings, it is the ocean rather than the continent that links

the nations together.

Antarctica

It is the southernmost, coldest, iciest, driest, windiest, most remote, the

most recently discovered continent and by far the smallest in population. Air

temperatures of the high inland regions fall below -80°C (-110°F) in winter and

rise only to -30°C (-20°F) in summer. In winter frozen sea water (sea ice) more

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than doubles the size of the Antarctic ice cap. Antarctica's vast areas of ice on

land and on sea play a major role in Earth’s climate and could be strongly

affected by global warming. The melting of Antarctic ice could dramatically raise

global sea level.

Oceans and Other Bodies of Water

The term ocean comes from Latin oceanus, and from Greek okeanus,

a river thought of encircling the earth. It refers to the whole body of salt water

that covers nearly three fourths of the surface of the globe. Seventy one (71%)

percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans and smaller bodies of water.

Oceans are the largest bodies of water on Earth consisting of the

Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Southern (Antarctic). These five oceans and

other bodies of water cover nearly three-quarters of the surface of our planet.

Some of the Earth’s seas, such as the Mediterranean and Black Seas, can be

looked upon as inland extensions of oceans.

The average depth of the ocean is much greater than the average

elevation of the land. If Earth had a smooth surface, about a mile and a half of

water would cover the entire planet. Earth’s oceans and seas are the source of

all of Earth’s water. Evaporation of moisture from the surface of the oceans and

seas from form the clouds from which rain and snow fall. Without the movement

of warm and cold water as currents in the oceans, Earth’s climates would be

very different.

The Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is larger than the entire land area of the planet, and

its size equals the combined area of the four other oceans-the Atlantic, the

Indian, the Arctic, and the Antarctic. This covers more than a third of the earth’s

surface and covers about 63,800,000 square miles (165,200,000 sq. kms.) and

stretches about 11,000 miles (17,500 kms). The average depth of the Pacific is

about 14,000 ft. (4,270 meters). The deepest known spot in the ocean world is

the Challenges Deep, located Southwest of Guam has 36,198 feet (11,033

meters) below the surface.

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The Atlantic Ocean

It is second to the Pacific in terms of size and covers about 31,530,000

sq. miles (81,682,000 sq. kms.), an average depth in the Puerto Rico Trench

which is 28,374 ft. (8,648 meters) below the ocean’s surface.

The Atlantic is very important in trade as evidenced by the presence of

chief industrial nations along its coasts. The continents of Africa and Europe lie

to the east, while North and South America lie on the western side.

The Indian Ocean

The third largest ocean in the world which is less than half the size of

the Pacific Ocean and smaller than the Atlantic. This ocean is 6,200 miles

(9,980 kms.) wide between the southern points of Africa and Australia and

narrows down toward the north. India and the island country of Sri Lanka divide

the ocean into the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The ocean has an

average depth of 12,785 ft. (3,897 meters) and is 25,344 ft. (7,725 meters) deep

at its deepest known point.

The continent of Asia is found to its north, the Antarctic to its south,

Australia and Indonesia are on the western side and in the east extends through

the continent of Africa. After the Suez Canal opened in 1869, the Indian Ocean

became the most direct shipping route between Europe and the Far East.

The Arctic Ocean

It is believed to be the smallest ocean in the world. It was in the late

300’s B.C. that the Greek explorer Pytheas sailed near the Arctic Circle,

reporting that a frozen sea lay north of the British Isles. The ancient Greeks are

credited for naming the Arctic region for a constellation that they called Arktos

(the Bear). Today this group of stars, which includes the Big Dipper, is known as

the Ursa Major.

The Arctic Ocean today has a great commercial and military

significance for it provides the shortest routes by air between North America and

both Russia and Western Europe. Cargo ships too ply this body of water to

reach and service Russian Arctic ports. For military and security reasons, the

armed forces of Canada and the US are constantly on alert for a possible attack

from across the Arctic region.

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The Southern Ocean (Antarctic)

It is the world's fourth largest ocean and the latest defined, having

been accepted by a decision of the International Hydrographic Organization in

2000, though the term has long been traditional among mariners. The Southern

Ocean is the body of water encircling the continent of Antarctica. It is

oceanographically defined as an ocean connected with the Antarctic

Circumpolar Current, which circulates around Antarctica. It includes Amundsen

Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of

the Scotia Sea, and Weddell Sea.

The Southern Ocean has the unique distinction of being a large

circumpolar body of water totally encircling the continent of Antarctica; this ring

of water lies between 60 degrees south latitude and the coast of Antarctica, and

encompasses 360 degrees of longitude

Caspian Sea

Caspian Sea is a saltwater lake in southeastern Europe and

southwestern Asia. It is the largest inland body of water in the world, bordered

on the west by Azerbaijan and Russia, on the northeast and east by

Kazakhstan, on the east by Turkmenistan, and on the south by Iran. It extends

about 1210 km (about 750 mi) in a northern and southern direction and about

210 to 436 km (about 130 to 271 mi) in an eastern and western direction. It has

an area of 371,000 sq km (143,000 sq mi). The Caspian coastline is irregular,

with large gulfs on the east, including Krasnovodsk Gulf and the very shallow

Garabogazköl Gulf, which acts as an evaporation basin and is the site of a

major chemical plant that extracts salts from the deposits.

Dead Sea

Dead Sea is a salt lake in southwestern Asia. Bounded on the west by

Israel and the West Bank and on the east by Jordan, the Dead Sea forms part of

the Israeli-Jordanian border. The surface of the Dead Sea is the lowest water

surface on earth.

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The Dead Sea is fed mainly by the Jordan River, which enters the lake

from the north. Several smaller streams also enter the sea, chiefly from the east.

The lake has no outlet, and the heavy inflow of fresh water is carried off solely

by evaporation, which is rapid in the hot desert climate.

Nearly nine times as salty as the ocean, the Dead Sea contains at a

depth of 305 m (1,000 ft) some 27 percent solid substances: sodium chloride

(common salt), magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride,

magnesium bromide, and many other substances. Because of the density of

solids in the water, the human body easily floats on the surface. The lake

contains no life of any sort except for a few kinds of microbes; sea fish put into

its waters soon die.

The Dead Sea is economically important as a source of potash,

bromine, gypsum, salt, and other chemical products, which are extracted

inexpensively. The shores of the Dead Sea are of growing importance as a

winter health resort. The lake is closely associated with biblical history; the sites

of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are believed to lie beneath the lake.

Great Lakes

Great Lakes consist of group of five large freshwater lakes in central

North America, interconnected by natural and artificial channels. From west to

east they are Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake

Ontario. Lake Michigan lies entirely within the United States; the others form

part of the border between the United States and Canada. Together the lakes

drain a total of about 750,000 sq km (about 290,000 sq mi) in Canada and the

United States. The primary outlet of the system is the St. Lawrence River; a

portion is diverted from Lake Michigan to the Chicago River.

The Great Lakes are a natural resource of tremendous significance in

North America, serving as the focus of the industrial heartland of the continent.

Together they hold about 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water. Four

35

large cities in North America (Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, and Cleveland) lie on

the shores of the Great Lakes system and owe much of their wealth to

commerce attracted to the lakes. The lakes also form an important recreational

resource with about 17,000 km (about 10,500 mi) of shoreline, rich sport

fisheries, and numerous beaches and marinas.

Mediterranean Sea

Mediterranean Sea, inland sea of Europe, Asia, and Africa, linked to

the Atlantic Ocean at its western end by the Strait of Gibraltar. It is of great

political importance as a maritime outlet for the countries of the former Union of

Soviet Socialist Republics, via the Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles, and

Black Sea, and for European and American access to the petroleum of Libya

and Algeria and the Persian Gulf region, via the Suez Canal and overland

pipelines.

An undersea sill from Tunisia to Sicily divides the Mediterranean into

eastern and western basins. Another seafloor sill, from Spain to Morocco, lies at

the outlet of the Mediterranean. Only 300 m (1,000 ft) deep, it restricts

circulation through the narrow Strait of Gibraltar, thereby greatly reducing the

tidal range of the sea and, coupled with high rates of evaporation, making the

Mediterranean much saltier than the Atlantic Ocean.

Arms of the Mediterranean include the Tyrrhenian Sea (located off

western Italy), the Adriatic Sea (between Italy and the Balkan Peninsula), and

the Aegean and Ionian seas (off peninsular Greece). Barcelona, Marseille,

Genoa, Trieste, and Haifa are important seaports in the region. Major rivers

entering the Mediterranean are the Ebro, Rhône, Po, and Nile.

36

Ship Canals

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a 77 kilometers (48 miles) ship canal in Panama

that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for

international maritime trade. The canal consists of artificially created lakes,

channels, and a series of locks, or water-filled chambers, that raise and lower

ships through the mountainous terrain of central Panama. One of the largest

and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, the canal had an

enormous impact on shipping between the two oceans, replacing the long and

treacherous route via either the Strait of Magellan or Cape Horn at the

southernmost tip of South America. A ship sailing from New York to San

Francisco via the canal travels 9,500 km (5,900 mi), well under half the

22,500 km (14,000 mi) route around Cape Horn. An additional artificial lake,

Alajuela Lake, acts as a reservoir for the canal. It has been named one of the

seven modern wonders of the world by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

While the Pacific Ocean is west of the isthmus and the Atlantic to the east, the 8- to 10-hour journey through the canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic is one from southeast to northwest. The maximum size of vessel that can use the canal is known as Panamax. A Panamax cargo ship typically has a DWT of 65,000-80,000 tonnes, but its actual cargo is restricted to about 52,500 tonnes because of draft restrictions in the canal. The longest ship ever to transit was the San Juan Prospector, now Marcona Prospector, an ore-bulk-oil carrier that is 973 ft (296.57 m) long, with a beam of 106 ft (32.31 m).

Suez Canal

Suez Canal is an artificial waterway running north to south across the

Isthmus of Suez in northeastern Egypt. It connects the Mediterranean Sea to

Gulf of Suez, and then to the Red Sea. The canal is 163 kilometers long, and its

width varies, and 60 meters at its narrowest. Along most of the length, there is

only one lane for traffic available though there a handful of passing bays.

The canal cuts through 3 lakes, the Lake Manzala, in the north which is

protected from the canal with bedding on its western side, the Lake Timsah in

37

the middle, and the Bitter Lakes further south. The Bitter Lakes make up almost

30 km of the total length.

Suez canal has no locks, unlike Panama canal, because there is virtually

no difference in the levels of the Mediterranean and Red Seas. The canal

provides a shortcut for ships operating between both European and American

ports and ports located in southern Asia, eastern Africa, and Oceania. The

canal is extensively used by modern ships, as it is the fastest crossing from the

Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean.

MODULE 6

38

THE CONTINENT OF ASIA

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the main geographical features of Asia .

2. Identify the different regions of Asia

3. Name and locate the countries comprising the regions of Asia

4. Familiarize the location, natural environment, people, economy &

culture among the Asian regions.

Pre-test.

Continent Size: 44,579,000 sq km (17,212,000 sq miles)

Percent of Earth's Land: 30%

Population: 3,879,000,000 (2008 est.)

Asia contains some of the world’s most spectacular natural environment,

including high mountain ranges, vast plateaus, majestic river basins, and lakes

and inland seas. The mean elevation of the continent is 950 m (3,117 ft.), the

largest of any in the world. The plateau and mountainous areas broadly sweep

SW-NW across Asia, climaxing in the high Tibetan Plateau, rising to the highest

peaks in the world in the Himalaya. To the northwest lie plains, while to the

south lie the geologically distinct areas of the Arabian peninsula, Indian

subcontinent and Malay peninsula. Large numbers of islands lie southeast of the

continent.

The centerpiece is the high mountains of the Himalayas and the

associated Tibetan Plateau (Qing Zang Gaoyuan). Significant features of the

continent of Asia include the world's tallest mountain, Mt. Everest in Nepal (and

China), rising to 29,035 ft (8,850m). It also includes the world's lowest point,

found in the Dead Sea, Israel/Jordan, at 1,286 ft (392m) below sea level. and

the world’s deepest continental trough, occupied by Lake Baikal, which is 5,315

feet (1,620 metres) deep and whose bottom lies 3,822 feet (1,165 metres) below

sea level, To the far north are vast plateau regions of Siberia and open

39

waterways such as Lake Baikal. Located in an arc around the eastern rim of the

continent are the plateaus of China, dissected by great rivers, including the

Yangtze River (Chang Jiang), the longest river which is 3,964 mi. (6,378 km)

long. The largest desert is Gobi (Mongolia and China) stretching 500,000 sq. mi.

(1,300,000 sq. km). In South Asia, the Deccan Plateau dominates India which

hosts the highest waterfall, the Jog (Gersoppa) Falls, 830 ft. (253 m) high.

Toward the west is the Arabian Peninsula, and in a northwesterly direction are

the steppes of Central Asia.

In addition, the continent includes the world's most populated countries,

China and India; and may also be divided into two broad cultural realms: that

which is predominantly Asian in culture (East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South

Asia) and that which is not (Southwest Asia, Central Asia, and Russian Asia).

Regions of Asia

East Asia (Eastern Asia)

The UN defines East Asia as a region that covers about

12,000,000 km2 (4,600,000 sq mi), or about 28 percent of the Asian

continent containing the entirety of the People's Republic of China (including

all SARs and autonomous regions), Republic of China (commonly known as

"Taiwan”), Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Mongolia .

The natural environment of East Asia produce contrasts of mountains

and lowlands, arid and well-watered lands, desert and forest. Mountain systems

and relatively small areas of lowland form the diverse relief of East Asia. High

mountains extend eastward from the Himalayan mountain ranges and the

Tibetan plateau, occupying over one-third of China. The volcanic and

earthquake-prone islands of Japan are subject to major shocks and eruptions

every decade or so as tectonic plates clash. The Gobi desert occupies much of

Mongolia and Northernmost China.

People

East Asia is home to more than 1.5 billion people, about 38% of the population of Asia and accounts to nearly 24 percent of the world’s population, which is about twice the population that Europe has. The Han Chinese are

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the largest ethnic group, where some 91.59% of the population was classified as Han Chinese (~1.2 billion). Besides the majority Han Chinese, 55 other "nationalities" or ethnic groups are recognized in mainland China by the PRC government, numbering approximately 105 million people, mostly concentrated in the northwest, north, northeast, south, and southwest but with some in central interior areas.

The major minority ethnic groups are Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyei, Dong, Yao, Korean, Bai, Hani, Kazakh, Li, and Dai.

The region is one of the world's most populated places, with a population density of 133 inhabitants per square kilometers (340 /sq mi), being about three times the world average of 45 /km2 (120 /sq mi), Dense population areas are along the eastern and southern parts of Japan, the western parts of Koreas and Taiwan, the north central part of China, and the coasts and major river valleys of Southern China. Mongolia has the lowest population density of a sovereign state.

Economy

The economy of East Asia is one of the most successful regional economies of the world. It is home to some of the world's largest and most prosperous economies: China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Major positive factors have ranged from favorable political-legal environments for industry and commerce, through abundant natural resources of various kinds, to plentiful supplies of relatively low-cost, skilled and adaptable labor.

Most countries of East Asia have a major involvement in the global economic system. The evolution of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) reflects the global trading links from East Asia to Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, and the Americas. For western traders, specifically the U. S., China and Japan are an established major competitor with South Korea and Taiwan as emerging big markets. They are marked by increasing urbanization which enhances the economic well- being and increased inputs of capital, labor, machinery and infrastructure. Two-way international tourism and movements of businesspeople are key links to boost their economy as exemplified by the Chinese living overseas investing back in China.

Culture

Chinese culture dominated the region’s history and together with Japanese and Koreans they share many cultural characteristics focusing on Buddhism , communal organization, the use of Chinese script, close family life and kinship links. The Northwestern part of the region is accommodated to Muslim influences.

Major religions include Buddhism (mostly Mahayana), Confucianism or Neo-Confucianism, Taoism, Chinese folk religion in China, Shinto in Japan, Shamanism in Korea, Mongolia and other indigenous populations of northern

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East Asia, and more recently Christianity in South Korea. The Chinese Calendar is the root from which many other East Asian calendars are derived.

Chinese-speaking regions (including the cultures of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), Japan, Korea, and Vietnam are commonly seen as being encompassed by cultural East Asia.

Southeast Asia

The region of Southeast Asia comprises Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, and the Malay Archipelago. The region is bordered on the north by China; on the east by the Pacific Ocean; on the south by the Indian Ocean; and on the west by the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, and India. Southeast Asia consists of eleven countries that reach from eastern India to China, and is generally divided into “mainland” and “island” zones. Themainland (Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam) is actually an extension of the Asian continent. Island or maritime Southeast Asia includes Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, and the new nation of East Timor (formerly part of Indonesia).

The physical environment of mainland and island Southeast Asia has varied differences. The first feature of mainland geography is the long rivers that begin in the highlands separating Southeast Asia from China and northwest India. A second feature is the extensive lowland plains separated by forested hills and mountain ranges. These fertile plains are highly suited to rice-growing ethnic groups, such as the Thais, the Burmese, and the Vietnamese, who developed settled cultures that eventually provided the basis for modern states. The highlands were occupied by tribal groups, who displayed their sense of identity through distinctive styles in clothing, jewelry, and hairstyles. A third feature of mainland Southeast Asia is the long coastline. Despite a strong agrarian base, the communities that developed in these regions were also part of the maritime trading network that linked Southeast Asia to India and to China.

The islands of maritime Southeast Asia can range from the very large (for instance, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Luzon) to tiny pinpoints on the map (Indonesia is said to comprise 17,000 islands). Southeast Asians found it easier to move by boat between different areas, and it is often said that the land divides and the sea unites. The oceans that connected coasts and neighboring islands created smaller zones where people shared similar languages and were exposed to the same religious and cultural influences.

Virtually all of Southeast Asia lies between the tropics, and so there are similarities in climate as well as plant and animal life throughout the region. Temperatures are generally warm, although it is cooler in highland areas. The entire region is affected by the monsoon winds, which blow regularly from the northwest and then reverse to blow from the southeast.

People

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The population of Southeast Asia is divided among many ethnic groups. Each of the countries of Indochina has a nationally dominant group: Khmer in Cambodia, Lao in Laos, Burman in Myanmar, Thai in Thailand, and Vietnamese in Vietnam. In Indonesia, Malaysia, East Timor, and the Philippines, Malay and Chinese peoples form the majority of the population.

In 2005, More than 570 million people live in Southeast Asia . Indonesia, one of the most populous countries in the world, accounts for more than 42 percent of the total. About 60 percent of Southeast Asian people live in rural areas. The rural share is much higher in the countries of Indochina, particularly Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Most of the region’s rural people live in small farming villages.

Despite the region’s generally low rates of urbanization, Southeast Asia is also home to huge, modern metropolises. The region’s largest cities include Jakarta, in Indonesia; Yangon, in Myanmar; Manila, in the Philippines; Singapore; Bangkok, in Thailand; and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam. Some of Southeast Asia’s cities are growing financial and high-tech industry capitals. The skyline of Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, features the Petronas Towers, among the tallest skyscrapers in the world.

Economy

Southeast Asia was a critical part of the world trading system. The incorporation of Southeast Asia into the world economy had a major impact on the distribution of the region’s economic development, and it created more uneven patterns of population growth and economic activity. It also brought about a stronger sense of class distinction and resulted in a larger discrepancy between the wealthy and poor. There is great disparity in development rates within the region, especially between the member and nonmember countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As the economies of the ASEAN countries have been restructured toward growth in industry and services, there has been a corresponding decline in the proportion of the gross domestic product (GDP) derived from agriculture, most significantly in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Industrialization policies have been critical goals in the market economies of the ASEAN countries . It is not surprising that trade is especially important to all nations in the region. The value of regional trade is about one-third that of the United States. Intraregional trade among the ASEAN members, while important, accounts for only about one-fifth of Southeast Asia’s total trade. Philippine trade within the region is especially small, reflecting its long-term orientation toward the United States. Far more important, therefore, is the trade with countries outside the region, dominated by that with Japan, Europe, and the United States; increasingly significant, however, is the trade with Taiwan, China (especially Hong Kong), and South Korea.

Culture

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The region's chief cultural influences have been from either China or India or both, with Vietnam considered by far the most Chinese-influenced. Burma can be said to be influenced equally by both India and China. Western cultural influence is most pronounced in the Philippines, derived particularly from the period of Spanish and American rule.

A distinctive feature of Southeast Asia is its cultural diversity. Of the six thousand languages spoken in the world today, an estimated thousand are found in Southeast Asia. Archeological evidence dates human habitation of Southeast Asia to around a million years ago, but migration into the region also has a long history. Linguistically, the mainland is divided into three important families, the Austro-Asiatic (like Cambodian and Vietnamese), Tai (like Thai and Lao), and the Tibeto-Burmese (including highland languages as well as Burmese). In the Philippines and the Malay-Indonesian archipelago this migration displaced or absorbed the original inhabitants, who may have been related to groups in Australia and New Guinea. Almost all the languages spoken in insular Southeast Asia today belong to the Austronesianfamily.

Among the many languages spoken in Southeast Asia are Malay (called Bahasa Indonesia in Indonesia and Bahasa Malaysia in Malaysia), Filipino, Vietnamese, Thai, Burmese, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil (an Indian language), and various tribal dialects. Most Indonesians and Malaysians adhere to Islam, while most of the people of Indochina are Buddhists, and most Filipinos and East Timorese are Christians. Other religions of the region include Hinduism, Confucianism, and Daoism.

Muslims can be found in all mainland countries, but the most significant populations are in southern Thailand and western Burma (Arakan). The Cham people of central Vietnam and Cambodia are also Muslim. Islam is the state religion in Malaysia and Brunei. Although 85 percent of Indonesia’s population of over 234,000,000 are Muslims, a larger number than any other country in the world, Islam is not the official state religion. Muslims are a minority in Singapore and the southern Philippines.

South Asia

South Asia is a physically well defined realm with the Himalayan mountains to the north, the Karakoam and Hindu Kush mountains to the northwest, deserts to the west, and dense forest and hills along the Burmese (Myanmar) border to the east. South Asia spans a large area and contains great physical variety. Much of the subcontinent is tropical ; only at higher elevations in the north and northwest is frost common.

South Asia boasts as one of the most diverse geographic features of any region on Earth. The region comprises the countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, as well as the island nations of Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

 The neighboring plains of the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra Rivers are among the most significant physical features of South Asia. They form the

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heartland of ancient Hindu civilizations. The drainage systems comprise the largest continuous alluvial plain on Earth covering over 300,000 square miles. Today the Indo-Gangetic Plain supports roughly half of the population of South Asia.

The climate, apart from the Himalaya, is tropical, with monsoon in summer and dry winter. However, you have the extremes of this climate, i.e. in Western Pakistan monsoon is quite non-existent and in Southern India, it lasts for six months. Sri Lanka even has two monsoons, one in May, one in October/November.

People

South Asia presents a depressing paradox. It is among the fastest growing regions in the world. But it is also home to the largest concentration of people living in poverty on earth. While South Asia is at a far more advanced stage of development than Sub-Saharan Africa, it has many more poor people. South Asia is one of the world's most densely populated regions - approximately 1.6 billion people (or roughly a quarter of humanity). The average population density of 305 people per square km is 7 times the world average.

Economy

South Asia’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the world, yet it is also home to the largest concentration of people living in debilitating poverty. South Asia’s division into leading and lagging regions means that stupendous growth hides deep pockets of poverty.

The region is not only a major consumer but the world’s granary of rice. The use of exotic spices that grow on the land and extensive fishing along the coastlines boost their economy.

Culture

The South Asian culture is a mixed bowl of a number of different influencing societies, nationalities, ethnic traditions and cultural heritages. The sub-continent is a pot pourrie from the Western-centric perspective and is commonly divided into natural geographic and cultural regions. South Asian culture comprises its art, cuisine, music, literature, philosophy, religions and the complex relationship between the common, traditional cultures. Home to Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, Confucianism and Christianity, South Asian culture is rich and varied. The nations of South Asia share an ethnic background and most of the territorial divisions have come up only in the recent past. These similar cultures were basically separated due to varying religious compositions. The culture springs from the rich early Indus Valley Civilization that saw the influx and mix of the Aryan and Dravidian races. The populace component of South Asia eventually mingled to form a unique common culture.

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The South Asian culture includes commonalities in celebrations and festivals. Dance is common to all the culture components as a form of announcing harvest, spring and the onset of winter. The people of South Asian culture dance to the beat of a drum, even as they sing and dance. In South Asia, dance is an integral part of the culture, with slight variations in style. There are courtly dances, dances of celebration and dance dramas. The stories handed down the ages also have a lot of similarity.

The influence of historical Indian culture can be seen everywhere. Two of the main "world religions" have their origins within South Asia: Hinduism and Buddhism. A third, Islam, was introduced by Muslim invaders starting around the 7th century and rose to prominence during the Mughal Empire. An additional layer of South Asian cultural unification derives from the influence of British culture, and especially the frequent and growing use of the English language, as a result of India having formed the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire. Hindus live predominantly in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Their dietary restrictions vary according to region, local custom, caste and acceptance of outside practices. Primarily, though, orthodox Hindus shun all animal and fish products except milk and honey because of the Hindu doctrines of non-violence, karma and rebirth. Most Hindus are vegetarian and consuming beef is taboo because the cow is sacred.

Years of colonization and interactions with other cultures and nations, the cuisine has also inherited flavors that are distinctly Latin and American. These are incorporated within the people's local blends.

West Asia (Middle East)

The Middle East (or West Asia) sits where Africa, Asia and Europe meet. The countries of the Middle East are all part of Asia, but opinions vary as to what countries make up the modern definition of the Middle East. In modern scholarship, because of its geographic and cultural aspect, the Middle East region refers collectively to the Asian countries of Bahrain, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel (and the Israeli-occupied West Bank), Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbajan, Georgia, and Yemen.

The natural environment is dominated by deserts, steppes, and mountains. Except for the Mediterranean coasts, this is a realm of very low and highly variable annual precipitation, searing daytime heat and chilling nighttime cold, and strong winds and dust-laden air. Soils are thin and mountain slopes carry little vegetation. Water brings exceptions to these conditions along the coasts, rivers, and in oases and qanats (tunnels dug into water bearing rock strata at an angle, so that the water drains to the surface). West Asia can best be summed up as a B climate, desert and steppe, with the Arabian Peninsula being the driest with an average rain fall of four inches a year.

Much of the region consists of flat plains or plateaus. Extensive desert areas stretch across the southern reaches, the Rub‘al Khali in southern Saudi

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Arabia, and the Syrian Desert at the junction of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Northern mountainous areas include the Taurus Mountains in Turkey, the Elburz Mountains and Zagros Mountains in Iran, and the mountains of northern Iraq. Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel contain the northernmost extension of the Great Rift Valley.

People

Arabs make up the majority of the people of the Middle East. Under Arab influence, peoples in the surrounding areas gradually adopted the Arabic language, and even more gradually adopted Islam. Arabic, a Semitic language, serves as a unifying bond among Arabs throughout the region.

The Turks reside primarily in Turkey and Iran. In Iran, about one quarter of the population speaks one of the Turkic languages, especially Azeri. A few hundred thousand Turkmens in northern Iraq also speak a Turkic language.

The Persians make up about 60 percent of the present-day population of Iran. Members of another ethnic group, the Kurds, reside in the Middle Eastern countries of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, as well as in several of the former republics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). They speak Kurdish, another Indo-Iranian language. The largest concentration of Kurds is in Turkey, where they make up about 19 percent of the population.

The Jewish population of Israel constitutes an important cultural group in the Middle East. Although about half of the current residents were born in Israel, their parents and grandparents came from more than 100 countries throughout the world, primarily in the 20th century. From diverse backgrounds, this group nevertheless shares in common the Jewish tradition and the modern Hebrew language.

Economy

Mineral oil drilling and natural gas production are significant economical factors in the Gulf States, including Iraq, Iran and Kuwait. Half of the world's total oil and natural gas reserves are located in this region, but remains a net importer of most commodities, including food. Oil refineries and petrochemical industries are closely tied with the drilling of mineral oil. Natural gas provides the basis for energy intensive industries such as metal smelting – but also desalination plants, which are essential for human survival in the gulf region. Since the mid-20th century the main export commodities have been oil from the countries where it is located, and labor from poorer countries where it is not. In the oil states, petrochemicals make up a significant part of the manufacturing sector, but most Middle Eastern oil is still exported as crude.

Of all Mediterranean countries, Israel has the strongest economy with industries ranging from export-oriented irrigation farming and high-tech industries right through to tourism. Phosphate and salt deposits in central Negev and on the southern shores of the Dead Sea serve as base of the chemical

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industries. Highly specialized processing industries and heavy industry are predominantly found in the Haifa region and in Greater Tel Aviv.

Culture

The first civilizations of the Middle East, which grew in the valleys of the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates rivers, are among the oldest in the world. Alphabets, law codes, and cities all began in the Middle East, as did the world’s three great monotheistic religions, Judaism (13th century BC), Christianity (1st century to 4th century AD) and Islam (7th century AD). Of the three, Islam continues to mark the region most profoundly. More than 90 percent of the people of the Middle East are Muslims.

In most states of West Asia, ethnic, linguistic, and religious minorities exist without formal recognition of their status. Lebanon is ethnically and linguistically Arab, but a significant proportion of its people are Christian and its Muslim population is divided between Sunnites and Shīʿites. Israel has a sizable Arab minority, and Iran is only about half Persian in ethnic and linguistic terms. In the Arab-majority states of the Persian Gulf, there are substantial populations of migrant workers from South and Southeast Asia, as well as significant minorities of Shīʿite Muslims.

West Asia is dominated by the Islamic religion with the exception of Israel, which is Jewish, and Lebanon, which is Christian. The prophet Muhammad, who was born in Arabia in AD 571, brought the Islamic faith into West Asia around AD 610 and spread into Africa, Asia, and Europe. Today, the Islamic faith has reached more than 1 billion followers throughout the world and extends well beyond the limits of Southwest Asia.

Muslims follow the doctrines of the Koran (is compared to the Bible of the Christian religion) which forbids alcohol and the flesh of scavenger animals (i.e. pork), birds and fish (i.e. shellfish). It also discourages use of caffeine and nicotine, although neither is forbidden; in fact, they tend to be consumed in great quantity in Arabic and Middle Eastern countries.

Central Asia

Central Asia comprises five independent republics (former states of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) namely, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.

Central Asia includes some of the most sparsely populated regions in the world. These countries have similar landlocked situations, arid or semiarid climates, and a variety of landscapes with lowlands, steppes, deserts, mountains and valleys. Central Asia is an extremely large region of varied geography, including high passes and mountains (Tian Shan), vast deserts (Kara Kum, Kyzyl Kum, Taklamakan), and especially treeless, grassy steppes. The vast steppe areas of Central Asia are considered together with the steppes of Eastern Europe as a homogeneous geographical zone known as the Euro-Asian Steppe. Much of the land of Central Asia is too dry or too rugged for

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farming with the Gobi desert extending from the foot of the Pamirs to the Great Khingan (Da Hinggan) Mountains.

People

The region’s population includes more than 100 different ethnic groups, from Germans and Austrians to Tibetans and Koreans. The largest ethnic group is the Uzbeks. Uzbekistan has a population of 20.5 million, and Uzbeks form substantial minorities in all other four republics. Uzbekistan is the dominant country in Central Asia accounting for more than 40 percent of the population. The Russians and other ethnic groups make up the rest of the population. There were some 10.6 million Russians living in Central Asia in 1992, but there has been a large-scale exodus of Russians from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan because of fears of ethnic violence and Islamic fundamentalism.

Tashkent and Ashkhabad, the capitals of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, have long urban histories but the other three capital cities, Dushanbe in Tajikistan, Alma Ata in Kazakhstan and Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, were created by the Bolsheviks to give a sense of ethnic identity to those nationalities. Uzbekistan contains all the most famous historical cities of Central Asia: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Kokand. These were the seats of nomadic empires and settled kingdoms in the past, as well as being centers in the development of Islam throughout the region. For centuries the hundreds of madrasahs, or Islamic colleges in Bukhara and Samarkand attracted students from as far away as Morocco and Indonesia. Bukhara is seen by many Muslims as a place of pilgrimage and the most important city in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem.

Economy

Central Asia has emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing regions despite its small landlocked economies with no access to the sea for trade. The region has its high priced commodities (oil, gas, cotton, gold, aluminum, and other metals), reasonable infrastructure and human capital as legacies of Soviet rule and a strategic location between Asia and Europe.

Many Central Asian Republics have embarked on market-oriented economic reforms to boost economic performance and private sector competitiveness. The economic boost was brought about by some of the oil exporting countries in the region with a significant base of the worlds’ natural resources. High energy prices and investments in the oil and gas sector including petrochemicals and favorable prices for non-oil export commodities such as cotton, gold, aluminum and other metals were the main economic growth drivers of the region.

Culture

Islam is the religion most common in the Central Asian Republics, Afghanistan, Xinjiang and the peripheral western regions, such as Bashkiria. Most Central Asian Muslims are Sunni, although there are sizable Shia

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minorities in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Because of the strong influence of communism, which greatly affected the development of their belief and practice, Islamic political groups are discouraged and even banned in some areas. The traditional practices of wearing veil are rare and women are generally viewed as equal to men.

Buddhism was prominent in Central Asia prior to the arrival of Islam, and the transmission of Buddhism along the Silk Road eventually brought the religion to China. Central Asia was also the birthplace of Sufism, the mystical trend in Islam which spread rapidly to Africa and Asia.

Nestorianism was the form of Christianity most practiced in the region in previous centuries, but now the largest denomination is the Russian Orthodox Church, with many members in Kazakhstan. The Bukharian Jews were once a sizable community in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, but nearly all have emigrated since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the revival of Islam in the region.

Central Asians still reflect in their culture the traditional ways of life of their ancestors who were nomads. In their culture, it is customary to ask about the well-being of someone’s livestock before inquiring about the person’s health and that of his family. Central Asians are among the world’s most complex in terms of ethnic differences and conflicts for they are tied economically to the Russian federation but seek new relationships with other countries of the world.

With the establishment of contemporary arts in the region, many important international exhibitions focusing on Central Asian art are displayed in European and American museums and the Central Asian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

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MODULE 6

Continent of Africa

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the main geographical features of Africa2. Identify the regions of Africa

3. Name the countries comprising each African region

4. Familiarize the location natural environment, people, economy and culture of the various African regions.

Pre-test.

Continent Size: 30,065,000 sq. km. (11,608,000 sq miles) Percent of Earth's Land: 20.2% Population: 1,000,050,000 (2009 est.) Highest Point: Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (19,341 ft or 5,895 m) Lowest Point: Lac' (lake) Assal, Djibouti (156 m below sea level)

Africa is widely recognized as the birthplace of the Hominidae (the taxonomic family to which modern humans belong). It is generally believed that human life first began on the region - some 7 million years ago, particularly central eastern Africa, as evidenced by the discovery of the earliest hominids and their ancestors. Archaeological evidence indicates that the continent has been inhabited by humans and their forebears for some 4,000,000 years or more. Anatomically modern humans are believed to have appeared about 100,000 years ago in the eastern region of sub-Saharan Africa. Somewhat later these early humans spread into northern Africa and the Middle East and, ultimately, to the rest of the world.

Africa is the most tropical of all the continents; some four-fifths of its territory rests between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. As a consequence, the cultures and the physical variations of the peoples reflect adaptation to both hot, dry climates and hot, wet climates.

Besides its sheer immensity, the continent of Africa is dominated by one solitary geographic feature; the Sahara Desert.  Africa is split into North Africa, made up of nations above the Sahara on the Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa, any country located to the south of the gigantic desert.  To comprehend this expanse of territory consider the following: walking east to west across the Sahara would be like walking from Portland, Maine to San Francisco, California (3000 miles) without seeing life, water, only sand and rock in blistering heat!  This imposing desert was extremely effective in the development of distinct cultures in the north and the south.

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Lakes: Africa's largest lake is Lake Victoria; it covers 26,836 square miles (69,500 square kilometers). Other large lakes in Africa are Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, and Lake Chad.

Rivers: The longest river in Africa is the Nile River; it is 4,241 miles (6825 kilometers) long. Other long rivers in Africa include the Congo River, the Niger River and the Zambezi River.

Deserts: Africa has many vast deserts, including the largest hot desert in the world, the Sahara. The Sahara Desert is located in northern Africa and covers 3,500,000 square miles (9,065,000 square kilometers). The Kalahari, in southern Africa, is another large desert.

Islands: The biggest island off Africa is Madagascar, which is near the coast of southeast Africa. Other islands include the Seychelles (a chain of islands north of Madagascar), the Comoros (another chain of islands north of Madagascar), the Canary Islands (a chain of islands off the northwest coast), the Madeira Islands (another chain of islands off the northwest coast), the Cape Verde Islands (off the coast of western Africa), Equatorial Guinea (off the coast of Cameroon), and Sao Tome (southwest of Equatorial Guinea).

Africa has the most physically varied populations in the world, from the tallest peoples (Maasai) to the shortest (Pygmies); body form and facial and other morphological features also vary widely. It is the continent with the greatest human genetic variation, reflecting its evolutionary role as the source of all human DNA.

Regions of Africa

Northern Africa

North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes seven countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. Algeria, Morocco, *Tunisia, Mauritania, and Libya together are also referred to as the Maghreb or Maghrib, while Egypt is a transcontinental country by virtue of the Sinai Peninsula, which is in Asia*.

Three small Spanish plazas de soberanía – tiny islets with military bases off the coast of Morocco with no civilian population – are in the area, and the Spanish Canary Islands and Portuguese Madeira Islands, in the North Atlantic Ocean northwest of the African mainland, are sometimes included in the region.

Africa north of the Sahara is differentiated from the rest of the continent by its Mediterranean climate and by its long history of political and cultural contacts with peoples outside of Africa. It is physically separated from the rest of the continent by the Atlas Mountains and is inhabited primarily by peoples who speak languages that belong to the Afro-Asiatic group.

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Natural Environment

The Atlas Mountains, which extend across much of Morocco, northern Algeria and Tunisia, are part of the fold mountain system which also runs through much of Southern Europe. They recede to the south and east, becoming a steppe landscape before meeting the Sahara desert which covers more than 90% of the region. The sediments of the Sahara overlie an ancient plateau of crystalline rock, some of which is more than four billion years old.

Sheltered valleys in the Atlas Mountains, the Nile valley and delta, and the Mediterranean coast are the main sources of good farming land. A wide variety of valuable crops including cereals, rice and cotton, and woods such as cedar and cork, are grown. Typical Mediterranean crops such as olives, figs, dates and citrus fruits also thrive in these areas. The Nile valley is particularly fertile, and most of Egypt’s population lives close to the river. Elsewhere, irrigation is essential to improve crop yields on the desert margins.

The climate is widely varied from Mediterranean temperatures in the North to the extremes of the Sahara. In winter snow can be found on high grounds and the temperature can drop severely at night. Temperatures further South are quite pleasant through winter. In the Sahara region temperatures are more extreme and can be hot during the day time but drop to near freezing at night.

People

The people of North Africa are generally divided in a manner roughly corresponding to the principal geographic regions of North Africa: the Maghreb, the Nile Valley, and the Sahara. Northwest Africa on the whole is believed to have been inhabited by Berbers since before the beginning of recorded history, while the eastern part of North Africa has been home to the Egyptians. Ancient Egyptians record extensive contact in their Western desert with peoples that appear to have been Berber or proto-Berber.

The Berbers are most numerous in Morocco and least in Tunisia, where, as a result of culture contact and intermarriage, they have become largely assimilated with Arabs, who speak a Semitic language. The Arabs migrated into North Africa from Arabia in a number of waves; the first of these waves occurred in the 7th century AD. The distinctive nature of Maghrebian, or western Arab, culture resulted from this admixture. In the Sahara such Arab peoples as the Shuwa live side by side with such Berber peoples as the Tuareg.

Economy

The network of oil and gas pipelines in North Africa and the numerous mineral deposits, oil refineries and chemical industry along the North African Coast indicate the significance of these industries for the national economy. The so-called "middle income oil exporting nations" consisting of Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt have already achieved economically significant industrialization – ranging from primary industries to the production of consumer

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goods. In Morocco – which commands over two thirds of the known world phosphate reserves – the process of industrialization began with phosphate production. Today the country is the world's third biggest producer of phosphate. Coal, mineral oil and natural gas, but also lead, copper and iron ore belong to the many natural resources of Morocco. Further significant branches of industry are metal processing, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, leather and consumer goods. In addition to citrus fruit, various vegetables and wine grapes, but above all cork oak, are cultivated for export. However, as in Tunisia, the tourism industry is of much greater significance as it generates one third of the country's total revenue. In recent years, in both countries but above all in Morocco, there has been a decline in the small trade sector, which follows the tradition of oriental trades.

Culture

The people of the Maghreb and the Sahara speak various dialects of Berber and Arabic, and almost exclusively follow Islam. The Arabic and Berber groups of languages are distantly related, both being members of the Afro-Asiatic family. The Sahara dialects are notably more isolated than those of coastal cities. Over the years, Berber peoples have been influenced by other cultures with which they became in contact: Greeks, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, and lately Europeans.

The cultures of the Maghreb and the Sahara therefore combine indigenous Berber, Arab and elements from neighboring parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Some Berber-speaking North Africans may identify as "Arab" depending on the social and political circumstances, although substantial numbers of Berbers (or Imazighen) have retained a distinct cultural identity which in the 20th century has been expressed as a clear ethnic identification with Berber history and language. Arabic-speaking Northwest Africans, regardless of ethnic background, often identify with Arab history and culture and may share a common vision with other Arabs.

N0orth Africa formerly had a large Jewish population, many of whom emigrated to France or Israel when the North African nations gained independence. Today, less than fifteen thousand remain in the region, almost all in Morocco and Tunisia.

Western Africa

Western Africa is generally considered to include the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. In addition, the region is sometimes considered to include (Cape Verde, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Mauritania, São Tomé and PrÃncipe, and Western Sahara.) Western Africa can be divided into two zones, the Sudanic savanna and the Guinea Coast. The savanna area stretches over 3,000 miles (4,800 km) east to west along the southern Saharan borderland. Its vegetation consists of extensive grasslands and few forests, and little rainfall. In contrast, the Guinea Coast experiences

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heavy rainfall and is characterized by hardwood tropical forests and dense foliage.

Western Africa has an extremely wet and humid area with high temperatures all year round. The South has two main rainy seasons May to June and October. The North is still humid but has less rain with one wet period running from June to September. The humidity is reduced by a dry and dusty north easterly wind which blows from the Sahara.

Western Africa is west of an imagined north-south axis lying close to 10° east longitude. The Atlantic Ocean forms the western and southern borders of the region. The northern border is the Sahara Desert, with the Ranishanu Bend generally considered the northernmost part of the region. The eastern border is less precise, with some placing it at the Benue Trough, and others on a line running from Mount Cameroon to Lake Chad.

The northern section of West Africa is composed of semi-arid terrain known as Sahel, a transitional zone between the Sahara and the savannahs of the western Sudan forests form a third belt between the savannas and the southern coast, ranging from 160 km to 240 km in width. The vast majority of this land is plains lying less than 300 meters above sea level, though isolated high points exist in numerous countries along the southern shore of the region.

People

There are three main clusters of savanna peoples: the Mande in Senegal and Mali including the Bambara, Malinke, and Soninke; the Gur-speaking group in the savanna zone to the east that includes the Senufo, Lobi, Dogon, and Moore; and in northern Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon the many small, mainly non-Muslim tribes of the plateau and highland areas. Throughout this region live the many groups of the Fulani, a cattle-keeping Muslim people who either have conquered indigenous peoples (such as the numerous Hausa) or live in a symbiotic relationship with agricultural peoples. In the Sahara fringe are the many Berber-speaking groups (collectively known as the Tuareg), the Kanuri of Lake Chad, and the Bedouin Arab peoples. Many of the kingdoms are successor states to those of Ghana and Mali.

The larger societies in the coastal zone are also mostly kingdoms. In Nigeria are the Igbo and Ibibio, organized into many autonomous polities; the Tiv; the Edo; and the several powerful kingdoms of the Yoruba. Westward are the Fon of Benin; the various peoples of the Akan confederacy, mostly in Ghana, the largest group being the Asante; the Ewe, Ga, Fante, and Anyi of the coast; the Mende and Temne of Sierra Leone; the Kru of Liberia; the Wolof, Serer, Dyula, and others of Senegal; and the Creoles of Sierra Leone and Liberia, descendants of freed slaves from the New World.

Economy

West Africa's economy is based around oil drilling and blood diamonds. All diamonds bought and sold in the U.S. are blood diamonds however, retailers paid high prices to agencies in order to

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have the "blood diamond" or "conflict diamond" designation removed, as there is a stigma in the United States attached to buying blood diamonds. Oil from Africa is also blood oil, but nobody speaks of this. Native peoples are displaced by oil companies in order to get the oil and bribe the government officials

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional group of fifteen countries in West Africa, helps promote economic integration in all fields of economic activity, particularly industry, energy, commerce, transport, telecommunications, agriculture, natural resources, monetary and financial questions,

Culture

Despite the wide variety of cultures in West Africa, from Nigeria through to Senegal, there are general similarities in dress, cuisine, and music that are not shared extensively with groups outside the geographic region. The game Oware is quite popular in many parts of West Africa. Football is also a pastime enjoyed by many with the national teams of some West African nations, especially Cameroon and Nigeria, regularly qualify for the World Cup. Mbalax music and oral history as conveyed over generations by Griots are typical of West African culture.

Since ancient times, there have been many ceremonies and customs practiced by African people. Peoples of the West African Kingdoms had various ways in practicing their beliefs. Traditionally, there were ceremonies held by tribal elders, asking Gods and ancestors for help in hard times, and thanking them in prosperity. These ceremonies were the basis for worship amongst many people, but there were other ways in which worship was done.   Art was often used as a sign of thanks to ancestors. Detailed dance "routines", were often practiced to honor the gods. Religion was also very closely linked to government in the major West African cultures. The kings and chiefs usually ruled by divine law, and people thought that they were summoned by the spirits to lead. These religions have culturally linked the peoples of West Africa more than those in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Central Africa

Central Africa is broadly defined as the Congo River basin with its great rain forest, plus adjoining areas in equatorial Atlantic-coast Africa. It comprises the countries of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola, Sao Tome & Principe.

Where it meets Africa's Northern and Southern regions there are grassy savannas and veldts, at its juncture with East Africa, mountain ranges and great lakes. Central Africa's dominant feature, however, is equatorial rain-forest and numerous rivers and swamps. Its terrain: Rolling plain 600 meters-700 meters (1,980 ft.-2,310 ft.) above sea level; scattered hills in northeast and southwest.

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The regions’ climate is tropical, ranging from humid equatorial in the south to Sahelo-Sudanese in the north; hot, dry winters with mild to hot, wet summers.

People

The "other Africans" are the present-day Kongo, Mongo, Luba, Bwaka, Kwango, Lulua, Lunda, Kasai, Douala, and related peoples (there are hundreds of Central African ethnic groups). Collectively, they are called Bantu speakers, as their languages are part of the Bantu language group. (Bantu is a linguistic designation, not a racial one, and can be misleading because many people who speak Bantu languages are not related to the original speakers.) Bantu speakers began migrating into Central Africa from around the Nigeria-Cameroon border approximately two to three thousand years ago.

The tribal kingdoms were split between France, Belgium, Portugal and Spain. Many who belong to a small growing urban population speak French, along with hundreds of dialect.

Economy

Most countries of Central Africa belong to world's least developed countries. Principal crops of the region include cotton, food crops (cassava, yams, bananas, maize), coffee, and tobacco.  The region also has rich but largely unexploited natural resources in the form of diamonds, gold, uranium, and other minerals. Diamonds are the only of these mineral resources currently being developed. Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the regions’ economy with majority of the population living in outlying areas.

Crops for export include cocoa, coffee, and rubber. Cattle farming are limited to areas free of the tsetse fly, and fish from the rivers are protein sources. Timber provides export revenues for several countries, although concern about the uncontrolled logging is growing.

Culture

There are more than 80 ethnic groups in the Central African region, each with its own language. About 75% are M’Baka-Mandjia and Banda with Sango as the national language spoken by the majority of Central Africans. Only a small part of the population has more than an elementary knowledge of French, the official language. Many who belong to a small growing urban population speak French along with hundreds of dialects.

Eastern Africa

East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, the following territories constitute Eastern Africa, namely:

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Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe.

The geography of East Africa is often stunning and scenic. Shaped by global plate tectonic forces that have created the Great Rift Valley, East Africa is the site of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, the two tallest peaks in Africa. It also includes the world's second largest freshwater lake, Lake Victoria, and the world's second deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika. The northern mountainous area, known as the Horn of Africa, comprises Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. In the east is the arid Somali desert. The coastal area extends from Kenya to southern Africa, and the East African Rift System intersects eastern Africa, running from north to south. This region, particularly the areas of the East African lakes—Victoria, Albert, Tanganyika, and Nyasa (Malaŵi)—contains some of the most fertile land in Africa.

The climate of East Africa is rather atypical of equatorial regions, because of a combination of the region's generally high altitude and the rain shadow of the westerly monsoon winds created by the Rwenzori Mountains and Ethiopian Highlands. East Africa is surprisingly cool and dry for its latitude with its highlands generally cooler and abundant precipitation. Near the equator, the rainfall has two peaks per year; the low lands of the extreme East have near desert conditions with very low rain fall often creating drought conditions.

Economy

Mining, forestry, and agriculture are the main sources of the regions’ economy. Other mineral resources include tin deposits, tungsten deposits and diatomite. The closed forests mainly under forest reserve are classed as presently productive of timber. The most important output of sawn wood has come from the more accessible mountains of Kenya and Tanzania, where cedar, podo (or yellowwood), and camphorwood are among the principal timbers. Cattle are raised on the northern slopes of Mounts Kenya and Elgon and on Kilimanjaro.

Many other economic activities depend on agriculture, including marketing, processing, and export of agricultural products. Production is overwhelmingly by small-scale farmers and enterprises and a large part of commodity exports are provided by the small agricultural cash-crop sector.

Kenya is one of the more prosperous countries in Africa. Its capital, Nairobi, is the most prominent city of East Africa and the hub of the entire region. Kenya is the largest exporter of tea in the world while Ethiopia is Africa's second biggest maize producer with its livestock population believed to be the largest in Africa,

Madagascar’s economy is overwhelmingly agricultural, largely of a subsistence type; the best farmland is in the east and northwest. The principal cash crops are coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, and cocoa. The main food crops are rice, cassava, beans, bananas, and peanuts. In addition, large numbers of poultry, cattle, goats, sheep, and hogs are raised. Fishing and forestry are also important. Industries include meat, seafood, and sugar

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processing; brewing; tanning; automobile assembly; and the manufacture of textiles, glassware, and paper.

People

The inhabitants of Madagascar fall into two main groups—those largely of Malayo-Indonesian descent and those principally of African descent. There are small numbers of French and South Asians.

Culture

Ethnically complex, eastern Africa includes the Eastern Sudanic-speaking pastoralists of the Nile valley (Shilluk, Dinka, Luo, Lango, and others), those of the central plains (Masai, Nandi, and others), and the Somali and Oromo of the Horn of Africa, who speak Cushitic languages. In Ethiopia also are the Amhara, Tigre, and others who speak Semitic languages. Most of the remaining peoples of the region are Bantu speakers who, although they vary widely in other ways, are all subsistence farmers. Near the East African lakes are several formerly powerful Bantu kingdoms (Ganda, Nyoro, Rwanda, Rundi, and others). In the highlands of Kenya are the Kikuyu, Luhya, and others. On the coast are the various Swahili-speaking tribes, while in Tanzania are the Bantu-speaking Chaga (Chagga), Nyamwezi, Sukuma, and many more. There are also remnants of other groups: the hunting Okiek (Dorobo), Hadza, and some Pygmies. And on the coast are the remnants of the once politically powerful Arabs, formerly based on Zanzibar.

Swahili is the lingua franca of much of East Africa and the Congo, spoken today by about 80 million people. The East African people who are least likely to know English are the nomadic Maasai of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. The Maasai are the least likely people in East Africa to wear Western clothes.

The island of Madagascar forms a distinct culture area. The various Malagasy ethnic groups, of which the politically most important is the Merina, are mainly of Indonesian origin, following migrations across the Indian Ocean The Malagasy language, spoken by 98 percent of the island’s population, is classified as Austronesian. Over 50% of the people follow traditional religious beliefs; about 40% are Christian (equally divided between Roman Catholics and Protestants), and 7% are Muslim.

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Southern Africa The region comprises the countries of Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, and South Africa. The region is generally drained eastward toward the Indian Ocean, a pattern exemplified by the largest rivers, the Zambezi and Limpopo. The Zambezi is the longest river in the region, and its catchment includes much of Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The only major river flowing into the Atlantic Ocean is the Orange, which drains parts of South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia. The terrain of Southern Africa is varied, ranging from forest and grasslands to deserts. The region has both low-lying coastal areas, and mountains.

Southern African climates are seasonal, ranging from arid to semiarid and from temperate to tropical. The climate varies from the desert areas around the Kalahari to the Mediterranean climate around Cape Province which has a fairly mild climate all year. The seasonality is an important control on plant growth and a regulator of river flows. Droughts are common in much of the region. Four main types of vegetation are found: savanna woodlands (known as miombo forest) in the north, a series of dry woodlands to the south of these, arid and semiarid grassland, scrubland, and bush land in the Namib and Kalahari deserts and their environs, and Mediterranean vegetation along the southern coast.

Economy

The region is distinct from the rest of Africa because it has the world's largest resources of platinum and the platinum group elements, chromium, vanadium, and cobalt, as well as uranium, gold, titanium, iron and diamonds, but it is similar in that it shares some of the problems of the rest of the continent. Today poverty, corruption, and HIV/AIDS are some of the biggest factors impeding economic growth. South Africa is the dominant economic "superpower" of the region, its GDP alone is many times greater than the GDPs of all other countries in the region.

People

The region was once populated by San, Namaqua and Pygmies in widely-dispersed concentrations. Due to the Bantu expansion which edged the previous peoples to the more remote areas of the region, the majority of ethnic groups in this region, including the Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, Ndebele, Tswana, Sotho, and Shona people. The process of colonization and settling resulted in a significant population of European (Afrikaners, Anglo-Africans, Portuguese Africans) and Asian descent (Cape Malays, Hindus, Sikhs,) in many southern African countries. They now constitute a sizable minority in South Africa and a much smaller population in Zimbabwe.

Culture

Southern Africa is home to many cultures and people. The region was once populated by Khoisan-speaking peoples. The San are today restricted to the arid areas of southwestern Africa and Botswana, and most of the Khoekhoe are found in the Cape region of South Africa. The other indigenous groups are all Bantu-speaking peoples, originally from the area of Cameroon.

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The South African black majority still maintain that cultural traditions to survive most strongly, but as blacks have become increasingly urbanised and Westernised, aspects of traditional culture have declined. Urban blacks usually speak English or Afrikaans in addition to their native tongue. Members of middle class, who are predominantly white but whose ranks include growing numbers of black, coloured and Indian people, have lifestyles and culture similar in many respects to that of people found in Western Europe, North America and Australasia and preserve their cultural heritage, languages and religious beliefs.

In the region, South Africa alone has been referred to as the 'rainbow nation', a title which epitomizes the country's cultural diversity because its population is one of the most complex and diverse in the world, a mixture of Blacks, Whites, Coloured, and Indians. The Black population is divided into four major ethnic groups, namely Nguni, Sotho, Shangaan-Tsonga and Venda. There are numerous subgroups of which the Zulu and Xhosa (two subgroups of the Nguni) are the largest. The majority of the White population is of Afrikaans descent, with many of the remaining 40% being of British descent. Most of the Coloured population live in the Northern and Western Cape provinces, whilst most of the Indian population lives in KwaZulu Natal. The Afrikaner population is concentrated in the Gauteng and Free State provinces and the English population in the Western and Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal.

Egypt

The Nile Valley traces its origins to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Kush. The Egyptians over the centuries have shifted their language from Egyptian to modern Egyptian Arabic (both Afro-Asiatic), while retaining a sense of national identity that has historically set them apart from other people in the region. Most Egyptians are Sunni Muslim and a significant minority adheres to Coptic Christianity which has strong historical ties to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Eritrean Orthodox Church.

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MODULE 7

THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Identify the main geographical features of Europe2. Explore the regions of Europe

3. Name the countries that comprise each European region

4. Describe the location, natural environment, people , economy and culture among the European regions

5. Discuss the nature and activities of the European Union

Pre-test.

Continent Size: 9,938,000 sq km (3,837,081 sq miles)

Percent of Earth's Land: 6.7%

Population: 729,000,000 (2009)

The name Europe is perhaps derived from that of Europa, the daughter of Phoenix in Greek mythology, or possibly from Ereb, a Phoenician word for “sunset.” Europe's most significant geographical feature is the dichotomy between highland and mountainous Southern Europe and a vast, partially underwater, northern plain ranging from Ireland in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east. These two halves are separated by the mountain chains of the Pyrenees and Alps/Carpathians. The northern plains are delimited in the west by the Scandinavian Mountains and the mountainous parts of the British Isles. Major shallow water bodies submerging parts of the northern plains are the Celtic Sea, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea complex and Barents Sea.

The biggest geographical impact on Europe is the Mediterranean Sea.  The early empires of Greece and that of Rome were highly successful because

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of their locality on the Mediterranean. The great civilizations of Greece, which is dominated by the city-state of Athens, prospered and then dominated, directly because of its connection to the Mediterranean Sea. The age of exploration, beginning in the 15th century, included voyages to new territories by European navigators. European nations, particularly Spain, Portugal, France, and Britain, built large colonial empires, with vast holdings in Africa, the Americas, and Asia.

Europe's highest point, just north of the Georgia border in European Russia is Mt. Elbrus at 18,481 ft (5,633m). Its lowest point is on the edge of the Caspian Sea, at 92 ft (28m) below sea level. The Alpine mountain system is the most outstanding physical feature; it dominates the south central portion of the continent and is the source of many major European rivers.

Regions of Europe

Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is a term which is highly context-dependent and even volatile, as there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region". The United Nations Statistics Division in its selection of geographical regions and groupings of countries and areas, include the following ten countries as Eastern Europe: Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine. Eastern Europe, in this context, is the region lying between Central Europe and Western Asia, with main characteristics consisting in Byzantine, Orthodox and limited Ottoman influences. It is important to note that the countries broadly classified as being a part of Eastern Europe have one thing in common: they were all behind the Iron Curtain before its fall.

Culture

Eastern Europe is a region that encompasses many different cultures, ethnicities, languages, and histories. There are many countries in Eastern Europe. Some are very small and others are very large. Each country has its own unique traditions that continue to be observed today. These customs are often very old, originating thousands of years ago when nomads and farmers, the Slavic peoples, began to populate that part of the world. The traditions that are practiced today combine ancient pagan rituals relating to the seasons and agricultural cycles with the holidays of Christianity (often Eastern Orthodoxy), and even the festival celebrations of the former Soviet Union.

Slavic languages such as Russian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and others, are spoken in Eastern Europe, but almost every country has its own unique language which may or may not be the official language. The total number of people for whom a Slavic language is the mother tongue is estimated at more than 300 million; the great majority of them live in Russia and Ukraine.

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Christmas in Eastern Europe is an important holiday that is celebrated according to the religious calendar observed in each country. Some countries celebrate Christmas on December 25. The Orthodox countries observe Christmas on January 7.

Easter in Eastern Europe is a huge holiday whether those celebrating are Orthodox or Catholic - the two predominant religions in Eastern Europe that celebrate this springtime holiday. Depending upon religious following, Easter is celebrated either according to the Gregorian calendar, which is followed by the West, or the Julian calendar, which Orthodox religious celebrations adhere to. Orthodox Easter falls (typically one week) later than Catholic Easter.

Eastern Europeans particularly in the Balkans have a more relaxed attitude to working times and a different sense of priority for getting things done. Young people tend to stay with their parents until they marry and often remain with them, subsequently moving in their husband or wife.

Oil and gas are found in Eastern Europe and beneath the North Sea.

Russia is Eastern Europe's largest and easternmost country. It separates Europe from Asia and straddles both continents over a wide geographical area that engulfs many cultures, terrains, and climates.Moscow is Russia's capital city, but it's an important cultural and historical center, too. Most individuals who travel to Russia visit Moscow first: here, the Kremlin's walls contain echos of legends, museums guard important examples of Russian art, the nation's rich and powerful strut their plumage, and pagan festivals, like Maslenitsa are interpreted anew for those seeking to get at the heart of Russian culture.

Czech Republic, once joined with Slovakia, is an East Central European nation that is home to one of the region's most popular destinations, Prague, or Praha, as it is known locally, is the capital of the Czech Republic. This Central European city, inhabited by Slavs, influenced by Europe, and known globally as a top travel destination, is stimulating, accessible, and unforgettable. Poland occupies a location in the north of the East/East Central European region. This culturally rich, easy-to-get around destination is a traveler's dream with big cities and small towns tucked into every corner of the country, each with a unique heritage to share. Hungary occupies an interesting place in the Central Eastern European territory. Its Magyar, rather than Slavic, heritage differentiates it from many of the other countries in the region. Romania is so often associated with the real Dracula legend that it can seem like this Eastern European country has little identity beyond as the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. However, Romania is a place of haunting beauty, centuries-old traditions, and hidden surprises - for those who have the patience to seek them out.

Northern Europe

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The United Nations defines Northern Europe as including the following countries and dependent regions: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

Northern Europe consists of the Scandinavian peninsula, the peninsula of Jutland, the Baltic plain that lies to the east and the many islands that lie offshore from mainland northern Europe, Greenland and the main European continent. The area is defined by the volcanic islands of the far northwest, notably Iceland and Jan Mayen, the mountainous western seaboard, extending from the mountainous sections of Great Britain & Ireland to the Scandinavian mountains, the central north mountains and hills of Sweden (which are the foothills of the Scandinavian mountains) and the large eastern plain, which contains, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland.

The region has a south west extreme of just under 50 degrees north and a northern extreme of 81 degrees north. The entire region's climate is affected by the Gulf Stream which has a mild influence on the climate. From the west climates vary from maritime and maritime subarctic climates. In the north and central climates are generally subarctic or Arctic and to the east climates are mostly subarctic and temperate/continental. As the climate and relief varies vegetation is also extremely variable, with sparse tundra in the north and high mountains, boreal forest on the north-eastern and central regions temperate coniferous forests (formerly of which a majority was in the Scottish highlands and south west Norway) and temperate broadleaf forests growing in the south, west and temperate east.

People

The Teutonic race resided in Scandinavia, north Germany, north Poland, north Russia, in Benelux countries, and in Britain and Ireland, and parts of Central and Southern Europe, and was typified by "very light" hair, blue eyes, tall stature and a narrow, aquiline nose.

Economy

The Nordic countries all enjoy a relatively strong economy. Norway and Iceland have in particular profited from an abundance of natural resources. Sweden and Finland also have their share of natural resources but are in the international marketplace mostly famous for strong brands like Volvo, Saab, Ericsson (Sony Ericsson) and Nokia. Although Denmark has developed sophisticated business in a number of industries, it is above all the leading agricultural country in Scandinavia. Strong economies and relatively small social differences translate into high prices for visitors.

The Industrial Revolution, with its origins in the UK, brought about major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation, and had a profound effect on the socio-economic and cultural conditions of the world.

Culture

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The Scandinavian nations share many cultural traits including similar flags and many related languages. The region is known for its natural beauty and more recently its liberalism. Denmark, Finland and Sweden are EU members. Oil and gas rich Norway, and, the only island nation to west, Iceland, are not.

Communicating in Scandinavia is easy, as virtually everybody under 60 speaks at least basic English, and younger people tend to be near fluent. Most students also study a third major European language, such as German, French and increasingly Spanish, but fluency generally tends to be lagging somewhat, due to the limited exposure to those languages. Foreign language television programs are usually shown in their original language with subtitles, with only children's programs sometimes being dubbed into the local language, and even then DVDs and cinemas also offer the original language with subtitles, many people think this links directly to the high English proficiency here.

The culture of the United Kingdom-England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales—each of which have preserved distinct customs and cultures. As a direct result of the British Empire, British cultural influence (such as the English language) can be observed in the language and culture of a geographically wide assortment of countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, the United States and the British overseas territories. These states are sometimes collectively known as the Anglosphere. As well as the British influence on its empire, the empire also influenced British culture, particularly British cuisine. Innovations and movements within the wider-culture of Europe have also changed the United Kingdom; Humanism, Protestantism, and representative democracy have developed from broader Western culture.

Note: The ff. regions (below) need additional input……as regards culture, economy, people---- thanks-R.borro

Southern Europe

Southern Europe, as defined by the United Nations, comprises the following countries and territories: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey and Vatican City.

Southern Europe's climate is that of the Mediterranean climate, which has become a typically known characteristic of the area. The humid subtropical climate can be considered too as a Southern Europe climate (Northern Italy, Eastern Romania and Bulgaria).

People

The Italians are a Southern European ethnic group found primarily in Italy and in a wide-ranging diaspora throughout Western Europe, the Americas and Australia. Their native language is Italian, and historically Italian dialects and languages. Their religion is predominantly Roman Catholic. The Italian people have varied origins, due to Italy's long history of invasions and migrations.

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Western Europe

The region comprises Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Switzerland. Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the westernmost region of Europe, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations.

Another definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity — the region lying in the Western part of Europe. This definition was created during the Cold War and used to describe the non-Communist states of Europe that were allied with the United States to some degree. For this purpose the Western European Union, a defence agreement among Western European nations during the Cold War, was created in 1948. As a result, geographically central and eastern countries that steered clear of Soviet influence during the Cold War are usually included, while western members of the former Eastern Bloc (with the exception of Eastern Germany) are excluded.

Countries described as Western European are invariably high-income developed countries, characterized by democratic political systems, mixed economies combining the free market with aspects of the welfare state, and most are members of NATO and the European Union.

Central Europe

The Encyclopedia Britannica defines Central Europe as: Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia. Geography strongly defines Central Europe's borders with its neighboring regions to the North and South, namely Northern Europe (or Scandinavia) across the Baltic Sea, the Apennine peninsula (or Italy) across the Alps and the Balkan peninsula across the Soča-Krka-Sava-Danube line.

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MODULE 8

NORTH AMERICA

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Identify the main geographical features of North America2. Explore the different regions of North America

3. Name the countries that comprise each of the regions of North America

4. Describe the location, natural environment, people, economy and culture of the various regions.

Pre-test.

Continent Size: 24,474,000 sq km, 9,449,460 sq miles

Percent of Earth's Land: 16.5%

Population: 528,720,588 (2008 est.)

Highest Point: Mt McKinley in Alaska, 20,322ft (6,194m)

Lowest Point: Death Valley in California, -282 ft (-86m) below sea level.

America was named after an Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci and discovered by Christopher Columbus. Its coastline is long and irregular and with the exception of the Gulf of Mexico, Hudson Bay is by far the largest body of water indenting the continent; others include the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the

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Gulf of California (Sea of Cortès). There are numerous islands off the continent's coasts; Greenland and the Arctic Archipelago, the Greater and Lesser Antilles, the Alexander Archipelago, and the Aleutian Islands are the principal groups.

The continent’s landforms: the Alaska Range covers the mountains of south-central Alaska that extend from the Alaska Peninsula to the border of theYukon territory, Canada; and the Appalachians, about 1,500 miles in length, extend from central Alabama in the U.S. up through the New England states and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Quebec.

The Missouri-Mississippi river system is the longest of North America. Together with the Ohio River and numerous other tributaries, it drains most of S central North America and forms the world's greatest inland waterway system. Other major rivers include the Colorado, Columbia, Delaware, Mackenzie, Nelson, Rio Grande, St. Lawrence, Susquehanna, and Yukon. Lake Superior, the westernmost of the Great Lakes, group of five freshwater lakes, central North America, creating a natural border between the United States and Canada and forming the largest body of freshwater in the world, is the continent's largest lake. The Saint Lawrence Seaway, an international waterway, consisting of a system of canals, dams, and locks in the St. Lawrence River and connecting channels between the Great Lakes utilizing the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes, enables oceangoing vessels to penetrate into the heart of North America.

Regions

New England

North America’s smallest region comprising the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. New England has not been blessed with large expanses of rich farmland or a mild climate, yet it played a dominant role in American development, from the 17th century until well into the 19th as the country's cultural and economic center.

People The earliest European settlers of New England were English Protestants of firm and settled doctrine. Many of them came in search of religious liberty. They gave the region its distinctive political format—the town meeting (an outgrowth of meetings held by church elders) in which citizens gathered to discuss issues of the day. Only men of property could vote. Nonetheless, town meetings afforded New Englanders an unusually high level of participation in government. Such meetings still function in many New England communities today.

As some of the original New England settlers migrated westward, immigrants from Canada, Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe moved into the region. Despite a changing population, much of the original spirit of New England remains. This can be seen in the simple, woodframe houses and white church steeples that are features of many small towns, and in the traditional lighthouses that dot the Atlantic coast.

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Economy

New Englanders provided the brains and dollars for 19th-century American expansion. The mainstays of the region became shipbuilding, fishing, and trading industry. In their business dealings, New Englanders gained a reputation for hard work, shrewdness, thrift, and ingenuity. These traits came in handy as the Industrial Revolution reached America in the first half of the 19th century. In Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, new factories sprang up to manufacture such goods as clothing, rifles, and clocks. Most of the money to run these businesses came from Boston, which was the financial heart of the nation.

In the 20th century, most of New England's traditional industries have relocated to states or foreign countries where goods can be made more cheaply filling the industry gap with microelectronics and computer industries.

Culture

New England has a vibrant cultural life with education as the region's strongest legacies. Its cluster of top-ranking universities and colleges—including Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, Wellesley, Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Williams, Amherst, and Wesleyan—is unequaled by any other region.

Middle Atlantic

Middle Atlantic states comprising Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, provided the muscle to the region. The region's largest states, New York and Pennsylvania, became centers of heavy industry (iron, glass, and steel).

People

The Middle Atlantic region was settled by a wider range of people than New England. Dutch immigrants moved into the lower Hudson River Valley in what is now New York State. The Swedes went to Delaware while English Catholics founded Maryland. An English Protestant sect, the Friends (Quakers), settled in Pennsylvania. In time, all these settlements fell under English control, but the region continued to be a magnet for people of diverse nationalities.

Economy

The region is the host to the spread of heavy industry transforming the Hudson and Delaware rivers into vital shipping lanes. Cities on waterways -- New York on the Hudson, Philadelphia on the Delaware, Baltimore on Chesapeake Bay -- grew dramatically. New York serves as the region’s largest city, its financial hub, and its cultural center. Other industries, such as drug manufacturing and communications, have taken up the slack.

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Culture

The region served as a bridge between North and South. Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania, midway between the northern and southern colonies, was home to the Continental Congress, the convention of delegates from the original colonies that organized the American Revolution. The same city was the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

The South

The South is perhaps the most distinctive and colorful American region. The region covers Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The American Civil War (1861-65) devastated the South socially and economically. Nevertheless, it retained its unmistakable identity.

The South has long been a region apart, even though it is not isolated by any formidable natural barriers and is itself subdivided into many distinctive areas: the coastal plains along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico; the Piedmont; the ridges, valleys, and high mountains bordering the Piedmont, especially the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee; areas of bluegrass, black-soil prairies, and clay hills west of the mountains; bluffs, floodplains, bayous, and delta lands along the Mississippi River; and West of the Mississippi, the interior plains and the Ozark Plateau.

The humid subtropical climate, however, is one unifying factor. Winters are neither long nor very cold, and no month averages below freezing.

People

The South was first settled by English Protestants and tended to emulate the English. Southerners were prominent among the leaders of the American Revolution, and four of America's first five presidents were Virginians.

Economy

The long, hot growing season (nine months at its peak along the Gulf) and the fertile soil (much of it overworked or ruined by erosion) have traditionally made the South an agricultural region; large plantation farms flourished in the region where such staples as tobacco, rice, and sugarcane; citrus fruits, livestock, soybeans, and timber have gained in importance. Southern settlers especially in coastal areas grew wealthy by raising and selling cotton and tobacco

Today the South has evolved into a manufacturing region and has become increasingly industrialized with high-rise buildings crowd the skylines of such cities as Atlanta and Little Rock, Arkansas. High-technology (such as

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aerospace and petrochemical) industries have boomed, and there has been impressive growth in the service, trade, and finance sectors. The chief cities of the South are Atlanta, New Orleans, Charlotte, Miami, Memphis, and Jacksonville. Owing to its mild weather, the South has become a mecca for retirees from other U.S. regions and from Canada

Culture

The South could point with pride to a 20th-century regional outpouring of literature. Its principal subject has been the Civil War, reflected in song and poetry from Paul Hamilton Hayne to Allen Tate and in novels from Thomas Nelson Page to Margaret Mitchell.

Midwest

Midwest or Middle West region of the United States is centered on the Western Great Lakes and the upper-middle Mississippi valley. More often it is restricted to the Old Northwest Territory and the neighboring states to the southern border of Missouri, East of the Great Plains. It thus includes Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. The chief cities are Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis–St. Paul.

Most of the Midwest is flat. The Mississippi River has acted as a regional lifeline, moving settlers to new homes and foodstuffs to market. The river inspired two classic American books, both written by a native Missourian, Samuel Clemens, who took the pseudonym Mark Twain: Life on the Mississippi and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The region's hub is Chicago, Illinois, the nation's third largest city. This major Great Lakes port is a connecting point for rail lines and air traffic to far-flung parts of the nation and the world. At its heart stands the Sears Tower, at 447 meters, one of the world's tallest buildings.

People

The easterners settled in the region as early as 1800s in search of better farmland, and soon Europeans bypassed the East Coast to migrate directly to the interior: Germans to eastern Missouri, Swedes and Norwegians to Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Economy

The area has some of the richest farming land in the world and is known for its corn and cattle. The extended area also includes great wheat fields, particularly West of the Missouri River. The region's fertile soil made it possible for farmers to produce abundant harvests of cereal crops such as wheat, oats,

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and corn. The region was soon known as the nation's "breadbasket."

Culture

In popular tradition the Midwest is conservative, isolationist, Protestant, and “American.” With a variety of political, economic, and religious opinion as well as a mixture of peoples and ethnicities, the Midwest is a cultural crossroads.

Midwesterners are praised as being open, friendly, and straightforward. Their politics tend to be cautious, but the caution is sometimes peppered with protest. The Midwest gave birth to one of America's two major political parties, the Republican Party, which was formed in the 1850s to oppose the spread of slavery into new states. At the turn of the century, the region also spawned the Progressive Movement, which largely consisted of farmers and merchants intent on making government less corrupt and more receptive to the will of the people. Perhaps because of their geographic location, many mid-westerners have been strong adherents of isolationism, the belief that Americans should not concern themselves with foreign wars and problems.

The Southwest

The region is a land of open spaces, much of which is desert. This dry part of North America stretches from southern California to central Mexico. The magnificent Grand Canyon is located in this region, as is Monument Valley, the starkly beautiful backdrop for many western movies. Monument Valley is within the Navajo Reservation, home of the most populous American Indian tribe.

Parts of the Southwest once belonged to Mexico. The United States obtained this land following the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. Dams on the Colorado and other rivers and aqueducts such as those of the Central Arizona Project have brought water to once-small towns such as Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, allowing them to become metropolises. Las Vegas is renowned as one of the world's centers for gambling, while Santa Fe, New Mexico, is famous as a center for the arts, especially painting, sculpture, and opera.

People

The region’s population is less dense, but its ethnicity has strong Spanish-American and Native-American components. Many famous tribes lived here. The Pueblos who live in villages were among the most highly developed. The Pueblo Indians built large houses which are called cliff dwellings, had many stories and were made of stone. People usually entered the houses through the roof. They climbed up a ladder that could be removed when an enemy attacked. The Pueblo were a peaceful tribe who only fought when they were attacked.

To the south and east lie dozens of other Indian reservations, including

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those of the Hopi, Zuni, and Apache tribes. The Apache and Navajo Indians were fierce fighters. Population growth in the hot, arid Southwest has depended on two human artifacts: the dam and the air conditioner.

Economy

A system of dams and irrigation projects waters the Central Valley of California, which is noted for producing large harvests of fruits and vegetables.

Culture

Its Mexican heritage continues to exert a strong influence on the region, which is a convenient place to settle for immigrants from farther south. The regional population is growing rapidly, with Arizona in particular rivaling the southern states as a destination for retired Americans in search of a warm climate.

The West

The West is a region of scenic beauty on a grand scale. All of its states are partly mountainous, and the ranges are the sources of startling contrasts. To the west of the peaks, winds from the Pacific Ocean carry enough moisture to keep the land well-watered. To the east, however, the land is very dry. Parts of western Washington State, for example, receive 20 times the amount of rain that falls on the eastern side of the state's Cascade Range.

Americans have long regarded the West as the last frontier. Yet California has a history of European settlement older than that of most mid-western states. Los Angeles, now the second largest city in the nation, is best known as the home of the Hollywood film industry.

People

Los Angeles -- and Southern California as a whole -- bears the stamp of its large Mexican-American population. Fueled by the growth of Los Angeles and the “Silicon Valley” area near San Jose, California has become the most populous of all the states. Spanish priests founded missions along the California coast a few years before the outbreak of the American Revolution. In much of the West, the population is sparse.

Western cities are known for their tolerance. Perhaps because so many westerners have moved there from other regions to make a new start, as a rule interpersonal relations are marked by a live-and-let-live attitude. Beginning in the 1980s large numbers of Asians have also settled in California, mainly around Los Angeles.

Economy

The western economy is varied. California, for example, is both an

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agricultural state and a high-technology manufacturing state. The federal government owns and manages millions of hectares of undeveloped land. Americans use these areas for recreational and commercial activities, such as fishing, camping, hiking, boating, grazing, lumbering, and mining.

Alaska, the 49th state, is also part of the North American Continent and partially located in three hemispheres. Alaska, the northernmost state in the Union, is a vast land of few, but hardy, people and great stretches of wilderness, protected in national parks and wildlife refuges. Hawaii is the only state in the union in which Asian Americans outnumber residents of European stock.

Hawaii, the 50th state, is not a part of the North American Continent because of its isolated location. Positioned to the south of the Tropic of Cancer, it's located in both the northern and western hemispheres and completely surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.

Canada

Canada occupies all of North America North of the United States. It is

bounded on the East by the Atlantic Ocean, on the North by the Arctic Ocean,

and on the West by the Pacific Ocean and Alaska. A transcontinental border,

formed in part by the Great Lakes, divides Canada from the United States;

Nares and Davis straits separate Canada from Greenland.

Canada has a bowl-shaped geologic structure rimmed by highlands, with

Hudson Bay at the lowest point. The country has eight major physiographic

regions—the Canadian Shield, the Hudson Bay Lowlands, the Western

Cordillera, the Interior Lowlands, the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Lowlands, the

Appalachians, the Arctic Lowlands, and the Innuitians.

Canada is a federation of 10 provinces—Newfoundland and Labrador,

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario,

Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia—and three territories—

Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon Territory. Canada's capital is

Ottawa and its largest city is Toronto.

Canada is a land of vast distances and rich natural beauty and resources. As an

affluent, high-tech industrial society in the trillion-dollar class, Canada

resembles the United States in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of

production, and affluent living standards.

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People

About 28% of the Canadian population is of British descent, while 23%

are of French origin. Another 15% are of other European background, about

26% are of mixed background, 6% are of Asian, African, or Arab descent, and

some 2% are of aboriginal or Métis (mixed aboriginal and European)

background. In the late 1990s, Canada had the highest immigration rate of any

country in the world, with more than half the total coming from Asia, and

immigration has continued to contribute significantly to the nation's population

growth. Over 75% of the total population live in cities. Canada has complete

religious liberty, though its growing multiculturalism has at times caused

tensions among ethnic and religious groups. About 43% of the people are

Roman Catholics, while some 23% are Protestant (the largest groups being the

United Church of Canada and Anglicans).

Economy

Canada's manufacturing, mining, and service sectors have led to the

creation of an affluent society. Tourism and financial services represent some of

Canada's most important industries within the service sector. Manufacturing,

however, is Canada's single most important economic activity. The leading

products are transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed

minerals, processed foods, wood and paper products, fish, petroleum, natural

gas, electrical and electronic products, printed materials, machinery, and

clothing.

Industries are centered in Ontario, Quebec, and, to a lesser extent, British

Columbia and Alberta. Canada's industries depend on the country's rich energy

resources, which include hydroelectric power, petroleum (including extensive oil

sands), natural gas, coal, and uranium. Canada is a leading mineral producer,

although much of its mineral resources are difficult to reach due to permafrost. It

is the world's largest source of nickel, zinc, and uranium, and a major source of

lead, asbestos, gypsum, potash, tantalum, and cobalt. Other important mineral

resources are petroleum, natural gas, copper, gold, iron ore, coal, silver,

diamonds, molybdenum, and sulfur.

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In agriculture, the sources of the greatest farm income are livestock and

dairy products. Among the biggest income-earning crops are wheat, barley,

rapeseed (canola), tobacco, fruits, and vegetables. Canada is one of the world's

leading agricultural exporters, especially of wheat.

The United States is by far Canada's leading trade partner, followed by

China and Mexico. Machinery and equipment, chemicals, and consumer goods

comprise the bulk of imports; crude petroleum and motor vehicles and parts

rank high among both the nation's largest imports and exports. Other important

exports are industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment,

chemicals, plastics, fertilizers, forest products, natural gas, hydroelectric power,

and aluminum.

Culture

Canada is culturally diverse. This goes back to the 1890s when it began

inviting people from all over the world to settle in the country to help it develop

and grow. Canadian immigration policy was historically open, welcoming and

egalitarian in its philosophy. This has also manifest into the psyche of the nation

where people are encouraged and to retain their cultural identities, traditions,

languages and customs.

Canadians are generally a tolerant, polite and extremely community-

oriented people. Although they are individualistic in terms of their basic cultural

traits, they nevertheless place a great deal of emphasis on the individual's

responsibility to the community.

Most Canadians have a strong allegiance to their province or region,

sometimes more so than to the country. There are some broad differences

between regions, which can generally be summed up as follows:

Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island

and Newfoundland): The people are somewhat reserved and provincial,

to the point that they are seen as old-fashioned.

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Ontario: This is the business hub and the people tend to be business-like

and conservative.

Western Canada (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan): The people are

open, friendly and relaxed.

British Colombia: The people are less conventional. This province is often

viewed as the Canada of the future.

Quebec: The French region, has a distinct cultural identity. The people

are extremely regionalistic/independent.

North: The people have a strong pioneer spirit.

Central America

Central America, region of the western hemisphere, made up of a long,

tapering isthmus that forms a bridge between North and South America. It

separates the Caribbean from the Pacific. Central America, which is defined by

geographers as part of North America, includes the seven republics of

Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and

Panama.

The mountains of North Central America are an extension of the mountain

system of West North America and are related to the islands of the West Indies.

The middle portion of Central America is an active zone of volcanoes and

earthquakes; it contains the Nicaragua Depression, which includes the huge

lakes Nicaragua and Managua. The ranges of South Central America are

outliers of the Andes Mountains of South America. Tajumulco, a volcano in

Guatemala, is the region's highest peak.

Central America's climate varies with altitude from tropical to cool. The

eastern side of the region receives heavy rainfall.

Economy

The economies of the countries in the region are becoming increasingly

diversified. Bananas, coffee, and cacao are the chief crops of Central America,

and gold and silver are mined there. Though agriculture is still the largest

employer, more technical positions are being produced as the industrial and

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service sectors develop.

MODULE 9

THE CONTINENT OF SOUTH AMERICA

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Name the main geographical features of South America2. Explore the different regions of South America3. Identify the countries comprising the various South American regions4. Familiarize the location, natural environment, people, economy and

culture among the countries of the region

Pre-test.

Continent Size: 17,819,000 sq km (6,879,000 sq miles)

Percent of Earth's Land: 12%

Population: 379,500,000 (2009 estimate)

Highest Point: Cerro Aconcagua - Andes Mountains, Argentina - 22,833 ft (6,959m)

Lowest Point: Peninsula Valdes - Argentina coastline -151 ft (-40m) below sea level

Topographically the continent is divided into three sections—the South American cordillera, the interior lowlands, and the continental shield. The continental shield, in the east, which is separated into two unequal sections (the Guiana Highlands and the Brazilian Highlands) by the Amazon geosyncline, contains the continent's oldest rocks. Extending down the middle of the

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continent is a series of lowlands running southward from the llanos of the north, through the selva of the great Amazon basin and the Gran Chaco, to the Pampa of Argentina. The continent contains the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls in Venezuela; the largest river (by volume), the Amazon River; the longest mountain range, the Andes; the driest place on earth, the Atacama Desert in Chile; the largest rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest; the highest capital city, La Paz, Bolivia; the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca; Mount Aconcagua in Argentina is the highest point in the Western hemisphere; and, excluding research stations in Antarctica, the world's southernmost permanently inhabited community, Puerto Toro, Chile.

The continent's great river systems empty into the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea; from north to south they are the Magdalena, Orinoco, Amazon, and Paraguay-Paraná systems. Lake Titicaca, on the Peru-Bolivia border, is the largest of the continent's lakes. South America embraces every climatic zone—tropical rainy, desert, high alpine—and vegetation varies accordingly. The Amazon Basin (Amazonia) is covered by the largest tropical rain forest in the world, and running through its heart is the Amazon River. The overall basin drains over 2,700,000 sq. miles, and covers about one-third of the South American landmass. Rising high in the Andes, the river's network irrigates almost half of the continent, and in terms of volume of water discharged into an ocean averaging 180,000 cubic meters per second, is the largest in the world. The discharge is so great that it turns the ocean from salty to brackish for more than 100 miles offshore.

South America is divided politically into 12 independent countries—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela—and the overseas department of French Guiana.

Regions of South America

Patagonia Region

The Patagonia Region, home to the most picturesque landscapes in South America, usually sparks thoughts of virgin landscape located in the most remote part of the world. Situated in Southern Argentina and Chile, this region features the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers in the world, as well as pristine Andean national parks, lakes and alpine forests. The lake region also features a wide variety of outdoor activities, particularly in Bariloche, a popular ski resort set in the scenic mountain of the Andes. Further south in Glacier National Park is a mountainous landscape dotted with glaciers and a variety of rare and unusual wildlife.

Andes Mountains Region

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The Andes features some of the most spectacular scenery in South America with its dynamic variation of terrain. There are pristine lakes and rivers, glacier parks, Inca ruins, snow-capped peaks, and lush rain forests, making it a great place for outdoor adventures, including some of the best skiing in the world on the eastern slopes. It is also the longest mountain range in the world, running 4,500 miles along the west coast of South America. It passes through seven countries, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina, making it accessible for most travelers bound for South America.

The Andes are made up of three main regions. The northern region, being closest to the equator, has a rainy and warm climate. This region is surrounded by some of the highest peaked rain forests in the world. The central region has the most moderate climate since it is a considerable distance from Antarctica and the equator. It is the driest region and features beautiful highlands used for farming and producing some of the world's best wines. The southern region is the coldest since it is closest to Antarctica and is located in Argentina and Chile. This region has some of the best skiing in the world and with its deep valleys and rugged chains, has some of the most breathtaking views.

The Amazon Region

This region encompasses many different types of landscapes, including rainforests, mountains, lakes, and grasslands. It is also home to the largest ecosystem on the planet and over a dozen major rivers. It is situated next to the Andean border in the west and covers over 1.4 million square miles that stretches across the continent.

Also known as the region of Amazonia, the Amazon Rainforest is the world's greatest natural resource. It is often described as the lungs of the planet since its vegetation is responsible for producing 20% of the earth's oxygen. Amazonia is the world's largest tropical rainforest and covers more than half of Brazil. Half of the world's plant and animal species are believed to be part of the diverse ecosystem and many of the species are still undiscovered. The rainforest also has a wealth of healing properties found in plants that are still to be discovered. The Amazon stretches over Ecuador, Brazil and Peru, and each has its own unique landscape.

The Amazon situated in Peru and Ecuador is exceptionally beautiful and still very close to its natural state with an enormous ecosystem. A vast array of plant and animal life, as well as rare flora and fauna, make up over 70% of the species on the planet. The Brazilian Amazon on the other hand, is huge containing 40% of the world's rainforests.

The Pantanal Region

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The Pantanal region is a must-see for wildlife enthusiasts. With a vast expanse of swampland that alternates between dry and wet seasons, this is home to a vast array of wildlife, including alligators, jaguars, anacondas, and hyacinth macaws, just to name a few. This region is the largest inland swamp in the world, covering 200,000 square km of area. It is situated in West Brazil and stretches along the borders of Bolivia and Paraguay, and extending into the two countries.

Brazilian Pantanal The Brazilian side makes up the most of the Pantanal region, with an area about the size of France. It is a great place for wildlife spotting, which can be done on horseback, on a boat trip, or by trekking through the wilderness with a knowledgeable guide. Some animals you may find are giant otters, marsh deer, capybara, as well as many endangered bird species, including the anhinga, great egret, jabiru, wood stork, roseate spoonbill, and the striated heron. Along the banks of the rivers you'll also find rainforests populated with monkeys such as spider monkeys and black gibbons.

Bolivian Pantanal

The Bolivian Pantanal makes up about 10% of the region and is situated in the Santa Cruz region. In addition to acres of swampland, the area is also covered in large expanses of dense, untouched forests, which make up the western border of the region. This unspoiled landscape makes it an important ecosystem in the area.

The Caceres Lagoon which serves as the best place for wildlife spotting is located just outside of Port Suarez - an outlet to the Paraguay River. There is an abundance of fish, yacares (alligators), exotic birds, and other wildlife. Just a few miles from the Port are the Motacucito Caves, where stalactites and stalagmites have formed over thousands of years.

People Native peoples constitute a significant portion of the continent's Andean population, especially in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Paraguay. Elsewhere in South America the population is generally mestizo, although Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and South Brazil have primarily European populations. There are sizable populations of African descent in Northeastern Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, and Colombia. Migrants consisting of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian (especially Japanese) peoples to the continent, settled in Argentina and Brazil.

With the exception of Brazil and Ecuador, the national capitals have the largest populations and are the economic, cultural, and political centers of the

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countries. São Paulo, Brazil, is the largest city of South America and one of the fastest growing cities of its size in the world.

Economy

The exploitation of the continent's resources and the development of its industries were the result of foreign investment and initiative, especially that of Spain, Great Britain, and the United States. An increasing number of South American industrial centers have developed heavy industries to supplement the light industries on which they had previously concentrated.

The continent has relied on its petroleum reserves, most notably in Venezuela and also in Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador, as a source of fuel. South Americans also have gradually developed their natural-gas reserves; hydroelectric plants produce most of the continent's electricity. Iron-ore deposits are plentiful in the Guiana and Brazilian highlands, and copper is abundant in the central Andes mountain region of Chile and Peru.

Other important mineral resources include tin in Bolivia, manganese and gold in Brazil, and bauxite in Guyana and Suriname. Subsistence farming is widespread; dense forests, steep slopes, and unfavorable climatic conditions, along with crude agricultural methods, limit the amount of cultivable land. Among the agricultural exports are coffee, bananas, sugarcane, tobacco, and grains. Meat is also an important export. In the interior, hunting and gathering of forest products are the chief economic activities of the indigenous peoples. Fishing is also a central industry. In the more accessible areas, forest products are removed for export. Culture

The Cultures of South America draw on diverse cultural traditions combining almost half of the culture of the world. These include the native cultures during the Mayan civilization of the peoples that inhabited the continent prior to the arrival of the Europeans. Later the mainstream culture was influenced by other cultures. Among these were the European cultures, brought mainly by the Spanish, the Portuguese and the French; African cultures, whose presence derives from a long history of New World slavery; and the United States, particularly via mass culture such as cinema and TV.

The cultural diversity also influenced the region’s religion, which lead to its diversity. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion (97%). French Guiana also has a large number of Protestants. Guyana and Suriname are exceptions, with three major religions: Christianity in general, Hinduism, and Islam. In lowland South America, as well as the Andes, animism and shamanism are common, as noted among the Urarina of Peruvian Amazonia. Primary languages of the region are Portuguese and Spanish with the majority of South Americans speak Portuguese.

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MODULE 10

OCEANIA

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

Pre-test.

Continent Size: 8,112,000 sq km (3,132,059 sq miles)

Percent of Earth's Land: 5.3%

Population: 32,000,000

Highest Point: Mt. Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea, 14,794 ft (4,509m)

Lowest Point: Lake Eyre, Australia, 52ft (16m) below sea level

OCEANIA, the smallest continent, is one of the most diverse and fascinating areas on the planet. A large percentage of geography experts now consider the long-established continent of Australia to be more accurately defined as Australia/Oceania.

Climatic zones of the region range from tropical rainforests, deserts and cool temperature forests to snow covered mountains. Within this climate, plants and animals have evolved on a geographically isolated continent, through a time of a slowly drying climate, combined with continuing high variability. The uniqueness of much of the continent’s flora and fauna is thus at least partly due to these features of its climate.

Collectively, the continent combines all of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, as well as the thousands of coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific Ocean, including the Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

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Melanesia includes the independent countries of Fiji and Vanuatu, as well as the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia; Micronesia consisting the Marshall Islands, the nations of Micronesia (FSM), Palau, Kiribati & Nauru. In addition, it includes Guam, Saipan, the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as Wake Island; and Polynesia which contains numerous island groups, including all of French Polynesia and the Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, Society and Tuamoto islands. In addition, the Cook Islands, Easter Island, Niue, the Pitcairn Islands, Tuvalu, and Wallis and Futuna.

The Commonwealth of Australia is made up of six states—New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia—and two territories—the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Australia is the lowest, the flattest and the driest with its most important and striking physical feature, the Great Barrier Reef, the largest structure ever built by living creatures. The highest point on the Australian mainland is Mount Kosciuszko in New South Wales.

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. New Zealand became the first country to extend voting rights to women and to develop a system of compulsory arbitration between unions and employers.

Papua New Guinea covers the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands (the western portion of the island is a part of the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua).

People

In all the vast area of Oceania there are roughly more than 35 million people (2008). About 21 million are in Australia, nearly 10 million are in New Zealand (Kiwis) and Papua New Guinea. Some 2 million more are divided between Hawaii and Fiji. The remainder is spread among numerous small islands. Oceania's population includes people of many different indigenous groups, in addition to later arrivals.

The people of Australia is a product of a unique blend of established traditions and new influences. The country’s original inhabitants, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, are the custodians of one of the world’s oldest continuing cultural traditions. Majority of its population is mainly Anglo-Celtic.  The rest of Australia’s people are migrants or descendants of migrants who have settled in Australia. The first waves of migrants and refugees came mostly from Europe. Subsequent waves have come from the Asia–Pacific

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region, the Middle East and Africa. Migrants have enriched almost every aspect of Australian life, from business to the arts, from cooking to comedy and from science to sport. They, in turn, have adapted to Australia’s tolerant, informal and broadly egalitarian society.

All other peoples of Oceania live in clusters, whether hamlets, villages, or cities. In many places in Oceania, people have traditionally lived in large, extended-family groups. In many Oceanian societies, people belong to large networks of relatives to whom they owe obligations based on kinship and on whom they may call in time of need—for example, in a drought or when a child is sent to school and needs tuition, books, and clothing. For a wedding or other large gathering, fellow villagers and relatives may feel honor-bound to assist.

Economy

Australia is a major exporter of wool, meat, dairy products, and wheat. Wool has been a staple of the economy since the colonial period, and it was important to the development of agriculture as the country’s largest industry. Australia is the world’s largest producer of both gem or near-gem and industrial-grade diamonds, producing about two-fifths of the global total. It is ranked in the world’s top six countries for recoverable deposits of black and brown coal, cobalt, copper, diamonds, gold, iron ore, manganese ore, and nickel. Outside Australia, the major sources of income in the island territories include agriculture, fishing, mining, and tourism. Also important is the money sent home by workers who have found jobs in foreign countries, often as plantation or mine laborers. Foreign aid, fishing-rights contracts, and agricultural or mining exports are important sources of income. In many islands, traditional households support themselves mainly by agriculture and fishing. Many households maintain gardens where crops are grown in shifting cultivation, also called slash-and-burn agriculture. Mining is important, though Oceania's mineral reserves are small by world standards. Today phosphate rock is taken from raised limestone islands with Nauru serving as the main source of phosphate.

Culture

The traditional cultures on the islands of Oceania have become largely westernized. The region of Oceania was under European, Japanese and American control.

In the case of Australia, its diverse culture and lifestyle reflect its liberal democratic traditions and values, geographic closeness to the Asia–Pacific region and the social and cultural influences of the millions of migrants who have settled in Australia. In most practical ways, Australia is an egalitarian society which means that there are no formal or entrenched class distinctions in Australian society, as there are in some other countries. It also means that with hard work and commitment, people without high-level connections or influential patrons can realize their ambitions. All people are equal under the law in Australia and all Australians have the right to be respected and treated in a fair

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manner. Australians are among the hardest-working people in the world with some of the longest working hours in the developed world.

The culture of New Zealand is a harmonious blend of home grown culture and other influences. The Maori and Moriori cultures developed and took shape when the earliest inhabitants came to New Zealand and brought with them their own customs and language. New Zealand culture is a synthesis of home grown culture and the cultural influences as brought in by the western colonists. The culture and traditions in New Zealand reflect strong influence of Maori, Pacific Island, European and Asian cultures which further makes the society in New Zealand colorful, unique and vibrant.

Under foreign control, the peoples of Oceania were introduced to different lifestyles. Changing their way of life also encouraged indigenous, or native, people to change their clothing styles. Many adopted Western-style clothes and abandoned their traditional costume and body decoration except for ceremonial purposes.

One of the most notable visual arts among island territories is the culture of canoe making. Most of the Oceania people are best known as seafarers and sea navigators. The art of canoe making mostly captures the essence of Oceania together with the culture of body tattooing. Oceania people have diversified characteristics which enrich their cultures in the whole of Pacific Ocean.

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MODULE 11

ANTARCTICA

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

Pre-test.

Size: 13,209,000 sq km, 5,100,021 sq miles (varies due to changing ice shelves)

Percent of Earth's Land: 8.9%

Status: Antarctica, almost 98% solid ice, was finally considered a continent in 1840, and not just a group of isolated islands. Today it has active territorial claims submitted by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. (Many of these claims are not recognized by some countries and remain in a constant disputed status)

Capital City none

Climate: Antarctica is the coldest and windiest spot on the planet. In fact, the lowest temperature on Earth was recorded in Antarctica (-129.3ºF) and the mean winter temperatures range from -40º to -94ºF. Winds are commonly measured at up to 200 miles per hour.

Highest Point Vinson Massif at 16,066 ft. (4,897 m) Lowest Point Bentley Subglacial Trench, (-2,555 m)

Latitude/Longitude 90° S, 0.00° E

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Official Language none

Official Currency none

Population Officially none, but governmental research stations are populated with small groups of scientists at all times.

Antarctica surrounds the South Pole and is a place of extremes. It is the southernmost, coldest, iciest, driest, windiest, most remote continent. Nearly the entire landmass lies within the Antarctic Circle. Massive ice sheets built up from snow over millions of years cover almost entirely the continent and float in huge ice shelves on coastal waters. In winter frozen sea water (sea ice) more than doubles the size of the Antarctic ice cap. Antarctica's vast areas of ice on land and on sea play a major role in Earth’s climate and could be strongly affected by global warming. The melting of Antarctic ice could dramatically raise global sea level.

Antarctica means “opposite to the Arctic,” Earth’s northernmost region. Antarctica is completely encircled by the Southern Ocean. The entire area south of the Antarctic Convergence zone where cold Antarctic waters sink below warmer waters on the northern boundary of the Southern Ocean is referred to as the Antarctic region.

The small human presence on Antarctica is made up of visiting scientists, support staff, and tourists. The last continent to be discovered, Antarctica remained hidden behind barriers of fog, storm, and sea ice until it was first sighted in the early 19th century. Because of the extreme cold and the lack of native peoples, forests, land animals, and obvious natural resources, the continent remained largely neglected for decades after discovery. Scientific expeditions and seal hunters had explored only fragments of its coasts by the end of the 19th century. Explorers first reached the South Pole in 1911, and the first permanent settlements—scientific stations—were established in the early 1940s. From that time the pace of exploration and scientific research has accelerated rapidly. In the mid- to late 20th century, the region’s majestic scenery and wildlife began to attract increasing numbers of tourists.

Economy

Fishing off the coast, research expeditions, and small scale tourism based abroad serve as the economic activity at present. Antarctic fisheries both regulated and unregulated serve as economic source.

A total of over 13,000 tourists visited the continent in 2003. Usually, the visit is during the summer for Antarctica's summer is during the Northern Hemisphere's winter. Nearly all of tourists were passengers on commercial ships that made trips during the summer. Some of the tourists were on yachts or commercial aircraft. Most tourist trips lasted approximately two weeks.

Culture

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The culture, currency and language of Antarctica correspond to the nationality of the people occupying each research station which are funded by governmental and non-governmental organizations representing as many as 28 nations. There are no permanent human residents in Antarctica although many scientists journey there for extended stays while conducting research. Antarctica has no government and its status is regulated by the Antarctic Treaty and is politically neutral. The people live in a culture nearly free from disease, poverty and crime, devoting their lives to personal fulfillment, artistic expression, and scientific research.

There are no churches, synagogues, temples, or other "houses of worship" in Antarctica. Although Antarcticans are not religious, they are a spiritual people. Most of them do believe in prayer, an afterlife, and the importance of helping others.

Antarctica has a very fragile environment so pollution should be avoided at all times. Due to this fragile environment it is particularly important that tourists do not introduce foreign organisms. Clothing and shoes should be examined to avoid bringing any plant or animal material to the Antarctic. Expeditions should remove all wastes from the continent when they leave as waste disposal and sewage facilities on the continent are limited.

The Arctic

This region of the planet, north of the Arctic Circle, includes the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Baffin Island, other smaller northern islands, and the far northern parts of Europe, Russia (Siberia), Alaska and Canada.

The Arctic Circle, incidentally, is an imaginary line located at 66º, 30'N latitude, and as a guide defines the southernmost part of the Arctic. The climate within the Circle is very cold and much of the area is always covered with ice.

In the mid winter months, the sun never rises and temperatures can easily reach lows of - 50º F in the higher latitudes. In the summer months (further south), 24 hours of sunlight a day melts the seas and topsoil, and is the main cause of icebergs breaking off from the frozen north and floating south, causing havoc in the shipping lanes of the north Atlantic.

The Arctic is sometimes defined as the region where permafrost is found, a name for ground which remains permanently frozen and does not thaw out even in summer. It can also be defined as the region which lies north of the point beyond which the forest will not grow, or treeline.

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People

The primary residents of the Arctic include the Eskimos (Inuits), Saami and Russians, with an overall population (of all peoples) exceeding 2 million. The indigenous Eskimos have lived in the area for over 9,000 years, and many have now given up much of their traditional hunting and fishing to work in the oil fields and the varied support villages. The Inuit and the Eveny are just two of the dozens of indigenous, or Native peoples of the Arctic. This means that they have lived there for so long that they feel that it is their land. Though many of them now live in towns, most still follow a life which still depends largely on hunting seals and whales, or else on herding reindeer.

Small communities of humans have lived in this region for thousands of years, moving across these spaces in regular cycles as they follow the animals with which their lives are closely involved. The first explorers of the Arctic were Vikings. Norwegians visited the northern regions in the 9th century, and Erik the Red (Icelander) established a settlement in Greenland in 982. In 1909, after numerous attempts by regional explorers, Robert E. Peary reached the North Pole.

Culture

This region is full of natural, cultural and political diversity - and of beauty and drama. Immigrants from the south generally stay for only a few years, but for the indigenous population this region is their home. The people’s diverse cultural backgrounds and the different time-span of their involvement with the Arctic, leads to a difference in attitudes to nature and natural resources. For Native peoples, nature is something to be respected, sometimes even feared. The Inuit in Canada have a word ilira, meaning a sense of awe. Nature gives her wealth to humans, but only in exchange for respect. Within the European tradition, on the other hand, nature is often thought of as something to be conquered. Many outsiders believe that the landscape and the animals are there for humans to use without saying 'thank you' to anybody.

All Arctic cultures place a very high value on detailed local knowledge of the environment, as well as on sharing food and helping others - as do hunting peoples throughout the world. No one can stay alive here except by using these animals and fish. Animals are also the main source of clothing and of materials for making tools, equipment and housing. Hunting, herding and the daily routine of life in this environment make tough demands on men, women and children. This is also a landscape of sudden catastrophe and there are many deaths from accidents. A native could get caught in a blizzard on a hillside; while sledging across a frozen lake, or could disappear through a crack in the ice; and even if he is a good hunter, may simply fail to catch an animal for days on end, so that his family could starve.

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MODULE 12

MAJOR PORTS OF AFRICA

PORT OF DURBAN

The Port of Durban, South Africa’s busiest port at latitude 29º52’52” S and longitude 31º1’38” E, is located on the Natal Bay of the Indian Ocean on South Africa's northeastern coast. Boasting a warm subtropical climate and beautiful beaches, it is also a major center for tourism in South Africa.

The Port is one of the world's most important commercial ports. It is South Africa's biggest container port in terms of capacity handling an average of 83 thousand containers each month. Located on some of the world's busiest shipping routes, it is South Africa's main port for general cargo and containers. As a major container port, the Port of Durban is an entry point for bulk raw materials, capital goods, and industrial equipment. The combined Durban container terminals handled 2,560,366 TEUs (twenty foot equivalents) during 2008/09 of which imports were 948,237; exports were 994,651 and 617,478 TEU were transhipped. Included in the above were 40,900 TEUs that were shipped coastwise. Containers handled at Durban represented 67,4 percent of the total number of containers handled at South African ports. Exports include minerals, sugar, grain, and coal. Oil is refined in the Port of Durban and piped to Johannesburg.

The Port of Durban handles more sea-going traffic than any port in southern Africa, which in 2009 handled a total of 4,554 sea-going ships with a gross tonnage of 114,723,266 or about 38 percent of the ships calling at all South African ports. The Port’s Car Terminal, the country's biggest import/export facility for the motor industry, handled more than 372.5 thousand units, including 184.5 thousand imports, 182.1 thousand exports, and almost six thousand transshipments.

Pilotage is required for all vessels entering the Port of Durban from a point 4.8 kilometers northeast of the entrance to the port, and tug assistance is also

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required. The Port of Durban offers extensive safe anchorage outside the port. The Port of Durban has 57 berths (not counting fishing and ship repair) and an inner anchorage in the bay. Operating 24 hours a day, the entrance channel is 12.8 meters deep and 122 meters wide (to be widened another 100 meters). Vessels up to 300 meters long and 37 meters wide can easily enter the port.

PORT OF RICHARDS-BAY

The Port of Richards Bay rests on the shores of a lagoon formed by the Mhlatuze River in the KawZuli-Natal Province of South Africa. Located at latitude 28º48’17” S and longitude 32º3’35” E on the easternmost seaport of South Africa, the Port is the country's biggest harbor with its Coal Terminal as the world's biggest, with capacity to handle 91 million tons per year.

In addition to its busy seaport, the Port of Richards Bay is home to two aluminum smelters and a fertilizer plant. Mines in the nearby lagoon produce iron ore, zircon, and titanium oxide. The seaport exports a range of bulk cargoes that include coal, titanium, heavy minerals, ferrochrome, granite, aluminum, pulp, woodchips and pulp, and phosphoric acid.

The Port of Richards Bay is South Africa's main and most modern port handling bulk cargoes. While it was initially built to export coal, it has expanded to handle a variety of breakbulk and bulk cargoes since it began operating. In 2008, the Port of Richards Bay handled 82.7 million tons of cargo. During the 2008-2009 shipping season, the Port of Richards Bay welcomed 1750 ships carrying 82.7 million tons of cargo. Of that total, 78.7 million tons was bulk, and 3.9 million tons was breakbulk cargo, and exports accounted for 76.4 million tons, or 92% of all cargoes.

Today's Port of Richards Bay covers almost 2.2 thousand hectares of land and 1.5 hectares of water. It exports products from the Mpumalanga and from the Provinces of KwaZulu Natal, East Cape, and North Cape. The Port of Richards Bay is primarily an export port, sending cargoes of coal, timber, and granite to ports around the world. The largest ship that the Port of Richards Bay has handled was the 372.2 thousand DWT Brazilian Pride, which was 353.7 meters long and 63.4 meters wide and had a draft of 21.8 meters. The largest coal shipment that the Port of Richards Bay has handled was loaded onto the 206.3 thousand DWT Ocean Vanguard bulk carrier.

PORT ELIZABETH

The Port of Port Elizabeth at latitude 33º51’41” S and longitude 25º38”11” E, lies on the Algoa Bay off the Indian Ocean on South Africa's southern shores in Eastern Cape Province. The Port is home to many automotive companies that include Volkswagen, General Motors, and Ford among others. A busy seaport, the Port handles imports for its hinterland as well as the inland countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Port has the busiest ore-loading facilities in the southern hemisphere, with additional new port facilities being constructed.

In the 2008-2009 shipping season, Port Elizabeth handled 1258 vessels carrying about 10 million tons of cargo, including 5.4 million tons of containerized cargo, 3.8 million tons of bulk cargo, and 864.8 thousand tons of breakbulk cargoes. Non-containerized cargoes included 1.4 million tons of imports and 3.2 million tons of exports. The Port handled a total of 398.6

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thousand TEUs of containerized cargo, including 213.2 thousand TEUs of imports and 185.4 thousand TEUs of exports.

The Port also exports large volumes of manganese ore from the Northern Cape and imports petroleum products from other ports in South Africa. With a strong automotive industry, the port boasts a huge car terminal and also supports the busy fishing industry.

PORT OF CAPE TOWN

The Port of Cape Town at latitude 33º54’33” S and longitude 18º26’11” E, lies on the shores of Table Bay at the north end of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. The Port of Cape Town is the capital of South Africa and of the Western Cape Province. A cultural and commercial center, it is the site of many international conferences and home to many major corporate headquarters of companies in the insurance, retail sales, publishing, fashion and design, advertising, petrochemicals, and shipping industries. It is also a growing center for the energy sector and also serves as South Africa’s most popular tourist destination.

Located on one of the busiest trade routes in the world, the Port of Cape Town holds a position of strategic and economic importance for South Africa. It is a busy container port, a transshipment base for large fishing fleets, and an important repair base for ocean-going vessels. With the oil industry emerging in West Africa, the Port has also become important for its maintenance and repair facilities. The Port of Cape Town is a popular cruise ship destination with convenient and direct worldwide air connections.

In the 2008-2009 shipping year, the Port of Cape Town welcomed 3163 vessels carrying a total of 13.4 million tons of cargo. Non-container cargoes passing through the port totaled almost 3 million tons, including 2.6 million tons of bulk and 330.1 thousand tons of breakbulk cargoes. Non-containerized cargoes passing through the Port included 1.9 million tons of imports and 1.0 million tons of exports. Container traffic was about 10.5 million tons in 774.2 thousand TEUs, including 385.5 TEUs of imports and 338.7 TEUs of exports.

The Port of Cape Town contains 34 berths and large ship repair facilities. Sturrock Dry Dock can accommodate vessels up to 369.6 meters long and 45.1 meters wide with a draft of 14 meters. In the Port’s Victoria Basin, the Robinson Dry Dock is 161.2 meters long with alongside depth of 7.9 meters. There are many berths in the Victoria and Alfred Basins that support ship and boat repairs. The Port’s grain elevator has capacity to store 28 thousand cubic meters, and the Duncan Dock offers a cold store for fish products. The Duncan Dock can serve up to six vessels and discharge three vessels at the same time.

The Port of Cape Town’s Container Terminal at the Ben Schoeman Dock has six deep-water berths equipped with a fleet of post-Panamax gantry cranes. The Multi-purpose Terminal at the Duncan Dock handles a variety of cargoes that include fruit, maize, rice, wheat, paper, timber, scrap, coal, and other general cargoes. The Multi-purpose Terminal also serves passenger cruise ships.

CUSTOMS OF SOUTH AFRICA

Socializing

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South Africa has many ethnic diversity hence, different greetings are used. English-speakers use “Hello” and “Good morning” phrases that are understood by most South Africans. Afrikaans-speakers say Goeie more (“Good Morning”). The Zulu and Swazi greet each other with Sakubona, which literally means “I see you” but is used also as “hello,” or Kunjani (“How are you?”). An acceptable answer to “Sakubona” is Yebo (“Yes”). Usual responses to “Kunjani” are Sikhona or Sisaphila. The Xhosa greeting, Molo, and the Sotho and Tswana Dumela have similar meanings. All South Africans shake hands when they greet. Many people in rural areas use both hands. Sometimes black friends greet with an intricate triple handshake that involves interlocking the smallest fingers, clasping fists, and interlocking fingers again. In all groups, close friends and relatives may hug. It is generally impolite to use first names with strangers or older people. Titles are used for adults unless one has developed a closer relationship. It is respectful to call an older African man “Father,” which is Tata in Isixhosa, Ntate in Sesotho, or Baba in Isizulu. An older black woman is called “Mother,” which is Mama in Isixhosa and Isizulu and Mme in Sesotho. Therefore, an older African Xhosa man can be addressed as “Tata,” and an older Zulu woman can be addressed as “Mama.” Customs and etiquette in the home vary from group to group. When possible, visits are arranged in advance, but unannounced visits among good friends or relatives are common. Among most people, dinner guests are not expected to bring a gift, but it is accepted when offered.

Cuisine

The South African diet is diverse. The general diet includes beef, mutton, a variety of curries, green vegetables, pumpkins, and staples such as potatoes and rice. Wine, tea, coffee, beer, and soft drinks are the common beverages. Each ethnic group has its own eating customs and etiquette. People in urban areas are more likely to follow Western patterns. In rural areas, people often eat with spoons, and use other cutlery at weddings and parties.

Recreation

South Africa’s rugby and cricket teams are among the world’s best. Rugby is most popular among Afrikaners and cricket among English speakers. A wide variety of other sports—including soccer, squash, field hockey, boxing, swimming, sailing, tennis, lawn bowling, and golf—are also enjoyed. Horse and car racing draw crowds. South Africans appreciate their many beaches and recreational facilities, including swimming pools, parks, libraries, and cinemas. Television is popular among those with access to a set. Dancing, music, attending festivals, and enjoying cultural events are popular activities throughout the year. African men in urban areas often socialize with friends over drinks at shebeens (informal bars).

PORT OF ALEXANDRIA

The Port of Alexandria, the main seaport for Egypt lies at latitude 31º10’59” N and longitude 29º52’0” E, stretches for 40 kilometers along a limestone ridge on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The Port of Alexandria's economy is based on the seaport, industrial and commercial activity, and agriculture. Shipping, manufacturing, banking, food processing, and

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the manufacture of cement and petrochemicals are important to the national economy.

Today's Port of Alexandria handles over three-fourths of Egypt's foreign trade. The El-Dekheila Port is a natural extension to and considered part of the Port of Alexandria. The Port contains two harbors separated by a peninsula and has two navigation channels. The entrance to the port, protected by two converging breakwaters, is 400 meters wide. Pilotage is required for all vessels entering or leaving the Port of Alexandria.

The Port of Alexandria has capacity to handle a total of 33.6 million tons of cargo per year, including 19.1 million tons of general, 7.4 million tons of bulk, 7.4 million tons of liquid, and 4.3 million tons and 250 thousand TEUs of containerized cargo. The Port can accommodate vessels with a maximum 150 thousand DWT, maximum length of 213.36 meters, maximum beam of 36.58 meters, and maximum draft of 12.8 meters.

In 2008, 5447 vessels called at the Port of Alexandria, including 1834 general cargo ships, 1505 container vessels, 531 bulk carriers, 320 roll-on/roll-off ships, 247 vehicle carriers, and 81 passenger cruise ships as well as a wide range of other vessel types in much smaller numbers.

EGYPTIAN CUSTOMS

Socializing

In general, Egyptians are most accommodating and will go out their way to help and respond to any questions. Greetings used are often elaborate and will depend largely on the differences between the individuals’ social classes. Generally, however, friends of the same sex shake hands and kiss on the right and left cheeks. If the greeting comes after a long absence, the kisses may be repeated more than once, sometimes ending with a kiss to the forehead. Men greet women with a handshake only if the woman extends her hand first. Otherwise, the greeting is verbal. It is considered improper to use first names unless one has been invited to do so. Good friends exchange first names in informal settings, but they may add a title to the first name on formal occasions. A compliment is often returned with another compliment on the same subject or with a wish for Allah’s blessings. Members of the same sex tend to stand close to one another in conversation, but members of the opposite sex do not. Good friends of the same sex may walk hand in hand in public, and married or engaged couples may walk arm in arm. Otherwise, a man does not touch a woman in public. Visiting is one of the most important pastimes in Egypt that demonstrates the importance of a relationship. Business visits usually begin with light conversation and coffee or tea to establish trust and confidence.Wealthy men often go to private clubs to socialize. Most men go to coffee shops to relax with friends, smoke water pipes, and play table games such as backgammon and dominoes. Even the smallest village will have at least one coffee shop. Women usually socialize in the home. In entering a place of worship, usually a mosque, a visitor should keep in mind that a mosque differs from a western church in that Christian churches are considered houses of God, while mosques are more a gathering place for the faithful of Islam. All visitors to mosques, mausoleums, and Madrassas (religious schools) must remove their shoes and should wear long shirts and long trousers

Family

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Egyptians form a society of a mixture of Middle Eastern family standards, taken from the different religious rules, whether in Islam or Christianity. It is customary for extended families, including aunts, uncles, and cousins, to live under the same roof. In cities, nuclear families are more common, although close ties are usually maintained, with cousins as well as siblings. In most homes, a girl is protected by her brothers and may be accompanied by them in public. Traditionally, a man’s honor is based on how well he protects the women in his care. Parents often play a large role in planning the future of their children. Children assume responsibility for supporting and caring for their parents in their old age. Traditionally, marriages were arranged between heads of families, often with little input from the couple involved. Now, however, individuals have more say about whom they marry. Because marriages join not just two people but two families, both families are heavily involved in wedding preparations. Housing is expensive and hard to acquire, and engagements may last until the couple has saved enough money for a home. Married children often visit parents on Fridays and holidays.

Cuisine

The diet of many Egyptians includes rice, bread, fish, lamb, chicken, and turkey. Tahina (a spread made with sesame, oil, garlic, and lemon), tomatoes, yogurt, and cucumbers are also eaten with meals. Traditional foods include a fava bean dish called foul, stuffed vegetables, ta’miyya (balls of fried chickpeas and spices, also called falafel), and flat Egyptian bread. Bread is eaten with every meal. Kofta (ground meat with spices skewered and grilled over a fire) and kebab (similar to kofta except the meat is not ground) are two popular local dishes. Meat is expensive, however. Snack food includes pita bread served with spreads such as tahina, hoummos (made with chickpeas), and baba ghanoug (made with mashed eggplant and tahina). Stuffed grape leaves, or dolmas, are another specialty. Observant Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol.

Recreation

The national sport is soccer, inspiring great passion among fans. Clubs

offer tennis, squash, swimming, and horseback riding, as well as other sports. In

urban areas, many people enjoy going to the cinema; a wide variety of Egyptian

and foreign films are shown.

PORT OF CASABLANCA

Located on Morocco’s northwestern shores at latitude 33º36’32” N and

longitude 7º36’1” W, the Port of Casablanca is a rapidly growing seaport and

economic capital. It is the heart of Morocco’s business community and the

home of the primary naval base for the country’s Royal Navy. The Port is a

banking and industrial production center, with industries that include the

manufacture of textiles, leather goods, electronics, canned foods, soft drinks,

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and beer. The Port of Casablanca is also Morocco’s main recreation center, with

many beaches, parks, and seafront promenades.

In 2008, the Port of Casablanca handled over 700 thousand TEUs and

14.9 million tons of containerized cargo. The Port’s Container Terminal is 600

meters long with alongside depth of 12 meters. It includes a footbridge for roll-

on/roll-off cargoes with capacity for 100 tons. The grounds of the container

terminal contain 69 hectares for container storage and 300 electrical

connections for refrigerator containers. The terminal is equipped with two mobile

cranes with 100-ton and 150-ton capacity, six 40-ton gantry cranes, and many

heavy-duty straddle loaders, tractors, and elevators.

The general cargo terminal contains 1500 meters of quay with alongside

depths ranging from 9 to 10.5 meters and 12 berths. The terminal covers 60

thousand square meters and includes 14 thousand square meters of storage

surface. Fully equipped with cargo-handling equipment, the general cargo

terminal handles cereals, iron and steel products, wood and wood products,

cattle feed, and oil seeds. The Ore Tanker Terminal has 390 meters of quay

with alongside depths from 9.15 to 10.5 meters, and it covers 2.5 hectares to

handle coal and armaments.

The Port of Casablanca enjoys intermodal connections with its hinterland.

It is connected to Morocco’s main cities by highway and railway.

MOROCCAN CUSTOMS

Socializing

The greetings most commonly used are Assalam Oualaikoum (“Peace be

upon you”); Sbah al Kheir (“Good morning”) and Msa al Kheir (“Good evening”).

More formally, one might say Ahlan Wasahlan (“Pleased to see you”). Greetings

between friends also include inquiries about each other’s well-being and that of

their families. Repeated enthusiastic phrases of welcome are often extended to

guests—less fervent greetings might be considered rude. Acquaintances are

politely greeted when passing on an urban street, but people do not greet

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strangers. In rural areas, most people know one another, so men greet men and

women greet women when passing on the street. In formal situations and to

address acquaintances the use of titles are very essential. Friends address each

other by first name. Elders are addressed with a title such as Hadj, which is an

honorable title reserved for those who have completed a pilgrimage to Mecca, or

the equivalent of “Aunt” or “Uncle.”

It is customary for Moroccans to shake hands when greeting each other.

In demonstrating one’s pleasure to seeing the other person or to show personal

warmth, one might cover his or her heart after shaking hands. Conventionally,

children in rural areas kiss the right hand of their parents or elders to show

respect when greeting them. Some people might greet close friends or relatives

by brushing or kissing cheeks.

Visiting friends and relatives frequently is considered necessary to

maintain close relationships. Visiting is most popular on holidays but may occur

at any time. Among family members, it is acceptable to visit unannounced.

However, whenever possible, friends make arrangements in advance. This is

less common in rural areas, where telephones are not always available for

calling ahead.

When invited to dinner, guests are not expected to bring a gift unless the

occasion is to celebrate something special. Milk and dates are served as a sign

of hospitality. Guests please their hosts by complimenting them on their home.

Men and women do not always socialize together. In rural areas, they more

often associate separately, while couples in urban areas will socialize in mixed

company. Men also often socialize in public coffeehouses, especially on

weekends, holidays, or Ramadan evenings. Titles are always used

Family

One’s family is a source of reputation and honor as well as financial and

psychological support. The extended family is the most important element in

Moroccan social life. Parents do not generally interfere with the domestic or

private affairs of their children’s families but everyone is duty bound to provide

financial support to other members of the extended family when it is necessary

or requested. The tie between mother and son is considered the most important

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relationship. Children are indulged but are also expected to contribute to the

family by attaining a respectable position in society. Adult children expect to

care for their aging parents when it becomes necessary.

Women’s roles are traditionally restricted to domestic household and

working in the fields. However, in more modern cities such as Casablanca and

Rabat, it is not unusual for women to work outside the home.

Marriages are still arranged by the parents of the bride and groom. When

a couple is to be married, the man pays the woman’s father or eldest brother a

sum of money to meet her expenses in the wedding. The bride’s family provides

her with a dowry of household furnishings. Divorce, although frowned upon, is

not uncommon.

Weddings signify a new union between families and are celebrated as

lavishly as possible. A wedding usually lasts two days. The first day is for the

bride’s female relatives and friends to come together to sing, dance, and

decorate the bride’s arms and legs with henna dye. On the second day, the

groom’s family and bride’s family meet to celebrate the wedding and to show

that they have become one family.

Cuisine

The principal Moroccan diet consists of mutton, beef, and chicken meats

Traditional Moroccan dishes include harira, a tomato-based soup with beef or

mutton, chickpeas, and lentils; kefta, ground beef or mutton, seasoned and

cooked over charcoal; tajine, a meat stew using a variety of ingredients, often

with almonds. Couscous and fish are also common. Moroccans cook fish in a

variety of ways. Mint tea is the national drink. Islam prohibits the consumption of

pork and alcohol, and although some men do drink alcohol, it is not entirely

socially acceptable.

In most homes, the family eats the main meal of the day together. Before

and after eating, each person washes his or her hands. In rural areas, a basin of

water for washing is usually provided, while people in urban areas simply use

the sink. Utensils are used, but traditionally Moroccans eat with their fingers—

using the right hand only—from the nearest part of a large communal dish.

Recreation

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Soccer is by far the most popular sport in Morocco. Basketball is also

widely enjoyed. The main recreational activity is socializing: visiting friends,

going to coffeehouses, strolling through town, or going to the beach.

PORT OF DAKAR

The Port of Dakar at latitude 14º40’56” N and longitude 17º25’48” W is

located half-way between the mouths of the Senegal and Gambia rivers on the

southern Cape Verde Peninsula, the western-most point on the continent of

Africa. It is one of the major seaports in West Africa with an outstanding harbor

protected by limestone cliffs and a system of breakwaters. Industries in the port

include can fish, mill flour, brew, assemble trucks, and refine peanut-oil and

petroleum. The Port of Dakar’s Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport is a

major stopping point for flights traveling between South America and Europe.

The Port of Dakar was visited by 2406 vessels in 2007, including 786

container ships, 443 cargo vessels, 339 carriers, 290 tankers, 245 fishing

vessels, 41 ore tankers, and 22 cruise ships. The Port also handled a total of

over 8.1 million tons of cargo, including almost 3 million tons of liquid bulk,

almost 3 million tons of containerized cargo, 2.2 million tons of solid bulk, 1.3

million tons of transit cargo, and 779 thousand tons of transshipments.

Liquid bulk cargoes were dominated by 1.4 million tons of refined

hydrocarbons, 777.6 thousand tons of crude oil, 391.5 thousand tons of

phosphoric acid, 201.3 thousand tons of oil, and 138.6 thousand tons of gas

products. Other liquid bulk cargoes included sugar cane, bitumen, caustic soda,

chemical products, and wine.

Solid bulk cargoes were dominated by clinker (682.1 thousand tons), BLE

(368.4 thousand tons), sulfur (306.1 thousand tons), coal (181.6 thousand tons),

attapulgite (175 thousand tons), rice (146.7 thousand tons), and fertilizer (101.7

thousand tons). Other solid bulk cargoes included corn, urea, gypsum, and

Jonah crabs.

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The almost 3 million tons of containerized cargo in 424.5 TEUs included

252.7 thousand TEUs of imported goods and 171.8 thousand TEUs of exported

goods. Transit cargoes included 699.9 thousand tons of foreign cargo and 586.6

thousand tons of domestic cargo. Finally, transshipments included 378.5

thousand tons of inbound and 400.9 thousand tons of outgoing cargo. In 2007,

the Port of Dakar handled 40.3 thousand vehicles.

The Port of Dakar contains 112.5 thousand square meters of open

surface storage, 48.8 thousand square meters of covered storage space, and 15

thousand square meters of cold stores. In addition, it has 13 hectares of surface

for storing containers, and capacity to store 290 thousand cubic meters of

hydrocarbons.

SENEGALESE CUSTOMS

Socializing

The common greeting of Senegalese people in urbanized areas is the

shaking of hands or kissing alternate cheeks up to three times (in the French

tradition) when greeting or taking leave of others. In rural areas, a handshake is

usual, although traditionally men do not shake hands with women. Upon parting,

most Senegalese ask each other to extend best wishes to their families and

mutual friends. Men and women keep their distance in public and are expected

to be dignified and reserved around members of the opposite sex. Public

displays of affection are considered impolite, although some urban young

people hold hands. More informal behavior is acceptable with members of the

same gender, age, or status.

Senegalese frequently visit friends and family, usually before the midday

or evening meal. Work, health, family matters, and mutual friends are briefly

discussed before a visitor addresses the purpose of the visit. There is

considerable interest in politics and the exchange of ideas. Friends will often

bring gifts such as fruit or some cookies for the children. The host will usually

offer a drink. Guests may decline politely by saying that they have just had one,

but in general it is impolite to refuse refreshments. It is considered impolite to

ask personal questions, and bad luck to ask specific questions about children,

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such as when a baby is due, how many children someone has, or what their

ages are.

Family

Basically, the importance of the family as a unit of society is enshrined as

a principal source of strength and pride in Senegal. In most rural areas and

among traditional urban families, extended families live together in family

compounds (with a separate dwelling for each nuclear family), but there is a

trend in urban areas to live only with the nuclear family. Ceremonies such as

baptisms, circumcisions, marriages, and funerals are celebrated elaborately.

Most families live at subsistence levels as agricultural workers, although there is

a growing middle class and a small, wealthy elite. The elderly receive great

respect and are cared for by their families. Women are given responsibility not

only for the daily functions of the household but also hold public office, and are

given employment in business and agriculture.

Commonly, traditional marriages are arranged by the family, but in urban

areas, individual choice of marriage partner has become a practice. Senegalese

are often encouraged to marry early, although it has become acceptable for

college students to wait until they finish school. Some Senegalese who are

Muslims practice polygamy. Islamic law permits a man to have up to four wives,

provided he can care for each equally and has the consent of the other wives.

Cuisine

Basic meals usually consist of one main dish of rice, millet, or maize, over

which is served a sauce made of vegetables, meat (Muslims do not eat pork),

poultry, fish, beans, or milk and sugar. A traditional Wolof dish is mbaxal-u-

Saloum—a sauce of crushed groundnuts, dried fish, meat, tomatoes, and

spices, served with rice. A dessert of fruit and yogurt might be served. One

popular dish is yassa (rice and chicken covered with a sauce of sliced onions

and spices). Another is thiebou dien, a meal of fish and rice that is often eaten at

lunchtime. In urban areas, wealthier people enjoy French-style cuisine.

In traditional homes, people eat in separate groups according to age and

gender. The main dish is usually served in large bowls placed on mats on the

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floor or ground, or on coffee tables. Several people eat from the same bowl

using the fingers of the right hand, or a spoon, depending on personal habit, the

occasion, and the dish. Mealtime etiquette is taught to children at an early age—

for example, they are taught that they should have clean hands, eat only from

the portion of the communal dish directly in front of them, and avoid eye contact

with persons still eating. Senegalese use only the right hand to eat, although the

left may be used when necessary, but not to put food into the mouth—for

example, fruit might be held in the left hand and peeled with the right.

Occasionally, particularly when hosting Western visitors, some urban

Senegalese follow French customs, eating at tables from individual plates with

utensils. It is considered inappropriate to eat while on the street.

Recreation

Soccer is the most popular sport. Other favorites include traditional

wrestling, basketball, track and field, and jogging. Many people in urban areas

enjoy watching films and reading books. Concerts, discos, and videos are

popular in areas with electricity. After the harvest, rural families visit relatives in

urban areas. People in rural areas also enjoy dancing, as well as family and

village celebrations.

PORT OF APAPA

The Port of Apapa located at latitude 6º26’43” N and latitude 3º25’34” E,

west of Lagos Island across the harbor from the city, is the port for the City of

Lagos in the Rivers Province of Nigeria. The Port contains an important

container terminal that the Nigerian Government owned and is the primary outlet

for the country’s exports. The Port is the country’s biggest port, handling a wide

range of commodities with facilities specialized in handling wheat, oil, cement,

fish, dry cargo, and containers.

The Port of Apapa Container Terminal covers 44 hectares and can handle

up to 22 thousand TEUs of containerized cargo. With six berths with alongside

depth of 10.5 meters and total quay length of 950 meters, it also contains 6.4

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thousand square meters of covered storage. The container yard has capacity for

19.5 thousand TEUs, and it contains 298 reefer plugs.

Just over 50 kilometers west of the Port of Apapa is the ancient town of

Badagry, a slave port wherein slaves were brought here from West Africa to be

transported to the Americas, and it is believed that at least 550 thousand

Africans were transported to North America during the United States’ first years

of independence. From the Badagry slave port, slaves also went to Europe, the

Caribbean, and South America. Badagry’s slave trade area is being preserved

so that the world can learn about this dark past.

CUSTOMS OF NIGERIA

Socializing

The Nigerians who have diverse cultures, customs, and dialects uses

English widely throughout the country for exchanging greetings. Greetings are

highly valued and neglecting to greet another is a sign of disrespect. “Hello” is

the most common greeting, while “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” and “Good

evening” are also appropriate. Objects are passed with the right hand or both

hands, but not with the left hand alone.

For social engagements or other planned activities, a starting time may be

indicated, but late guests are anticipated and they do not disrupt the event.

It is common to visit relatives frequently. Unexpected guests are welcome,

because planning ahead is not possible in many areas where telephones are

not widely available. Hosts endeavor to make guests feel comfortable and

usually offer them some refreshments. Invited guests are not expected to bring

gifts, but small gifts are appreciated.

Family

The Nigerian family structure varies from one ethnic group to another, but

families are generally male dominated. While the status of Muslim women in

Nigeria is similar to that in other Islamic countries, most other women enjoy a

great degree of freedom—they influence family decisions, engage in open trade

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at the marketplace, and account for about a third of the labor force. Large

families traditionally share the workload at home. Nigerians have deep respect

for their elders.

Marriage customs vary, but the payment of a bridal token or dowry is

common throughout the country. The groom is expected to give money,

property, or service to the family of the bride. Western-style dating is not

common in rural areas, but it is practiced by some young people in urban areas.

Women usually marry by the time they are 20 and men marry in their mid-20s.

Marriage is often considered a process rather than an event, so couples may

live together before or instead of a formal marriage ceremony. Many couples

simply find a wedding to be too expensive.

Polygamy is practiced, but its popularity varies according to region, ethnic

group, and education. Educated, Christian women living in urban centers, for

example, are less likely to marry a man with other wives than other women

might be.

Cuisine

The mainstays of the Nigerian diet are yams, cassava, and rice, and the

people are fond of hot, spicy food. Meals are normally accompanied by a pepper

sauce made with fish, meat, or chicken. The main meal of the day is eaten in the

evening. A wide selection of fruit and vegetables supplements the diet. Because

of the tsetse fly, which carries a disease fatal to cattle, dairy cattle are scarce in

the coastal regions, but canned margarine, cheese, and powdered milk are

used.

Eating habits vary among ethnic groups. Nigerians often eat with their

hands, especially when eating fufu, a porridgelike food made of ground cassava

or yams. Fufu is rolled into small balls and dipped into a sauce with the right

hand only. Nigerians use utensils for other dishes.

Recreation

Nigerians enjoy many different sports, both as participants and as

spectators. Soccer is by far the most popular sport, and the Nigerian national

team has done well internationally. Boxing, wrestling, and swimming are also

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popular. Affluent Nigerians may play polo or tennis. Nigerians enjoy going to the

cinema, and English-language films are shown in many cities. Watching

television is also a popular leisure activity, and live theater and art exhibits are

well attended.

PORT OF MOMBASA

The Port of Mombasa lies at latitude 4º3’11” S and longitude 39º37’31” E

on a coralline island linked by causeway, ferry, and bridge to Kenya’s mainland.

In a bay off the Indian Ocean, the Port is a contemporary deep-water port and a

market for Kenya’s agricultural products, much of which is exported along with

products from Uganda and Tanzania. The Port has an international airport, and

it is the center for coastal tourism in the country. Major industries include metal

works, sugar processors, fertilizer manufacturers, cement works, and oil

refining.

The Port of Mombasa is a gateway to East and Central Africa. The Port is

Kenya’s busiest and largest seaport, serving the hinterland by exporting

important agricultural products and supporting the foundation of the Kenyan

economy. In addition to serving Kenya, the port serves countries in inland Africa

like Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Southern Sudan,

Rwanda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

The Port of Mombasa is fully equipped to service a variety of cargoes

from dry bulks (like fertilizers, grains, soda ash, and cement) to liquid bulks (like

crude oil and petroleum products) to bagged products (like coffee, sugar, tea).

The port is also equipped to handle breakbulk (timber and iron and steel), motor

vehicles, machinery, and containerized cargo.

As in many ports around the world, containerized cargo is the fastest

growing category, and the Port of Mombasa has a dedicated terminal equipped

with ship-to-shore gantry cranes and a complete line of support machinery.

Because the existing facility has reached its maximum operating efficiency, the

Port is building new container berths and a second container terminal.

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The Port has 16 deep-water berths totaling over three thousand meters in

length with alongside depth of 10 meters. It has two bulk oil jetties for tankers

with a draft of 9.8 meters and a cased oil jetty with alongside depth of 4.3

meters. It also has five container berths with a total length of 964 meters.

Containerized cargo represents about 70% of the Port’s total cargo volume, and

that volume is growing at around 12% per year. The Port operates Inland

Container Depots (ICDs), dry ports for handling and storage of containerized

cargo and empty containers. This service gives inland customers faster, more

reliable service.

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has a Maritime College, the Bandari

College (the name means “seaport”) in the Port of Mombasa that provides

specialized training to KPA staff and the larger community. The KPA founded in

1980 to train its staff, from senior management to dock workers. Bandari

College’s contemporary building on Mombasa Island is frequently used to host

international and regional conferences, workshops, courses, and seminars.

Courses offered include port operations, technical support, administration,

management, and marine activities like tug-mastering and operating forklifts.

CUSTOMS OF KENYA

Socializing

Kenyans in urban centers and among the educated have their greetings in

English. In Kiswahili, the most common greeting is Hujambo! Habari gani?

(literally, “Are you fine? What news?”), to which the reply is often Mzuri ('I am

fine'), or Mzuri, asante sana ('I am fine, thank you very much'). In coastal cities,

a simple Hujambo! is a common casual greeting. Greetings are often extended

by inquiries about the well-being of one’s family, news of the weather, or where

one has come from. When parting, Kiswahili-speaking Kenyans might say Tuta

onana (“We will meet”) or, if it is evening, Jioni jema ('Have a nice evening') or

Lala salama (“Sleep peacefully”). Handshakes are acceptable in cities and

among certain ethnic groups.

Family members and friends often drop in on one another, and Sunday is

a popular day for making visits. Kenyans make every effort to ensure that guests

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are comfortable—even at the expense of their own comfort. Gift-giving is

important among relatives and friends, and it is always appreciated when foreign

visitors bring a gift from abroad.

Family

The family unit is usually large and includes the extended family, although

in urban areas families tend to be smaller and nuclear families are more

common. Family members, particularly those who have the financial means to

do so, care for the elderly. It is common to call maternal aunts mamdogo

(mother) and paternal uncles ami (father). These are Kiswahili terms. Most

households continue to be male dominated, and most economically active

women work in the agricultural sector. However, women have a higher rate of

literacy in Kenya than in most other African countries, and women's numbers in

higher education have increased.

Choosing their own spouses among young Kenyans varies according to

the community—in some, families are responsible for the selection. Educated

couples tend to marry later than those who have not continued their studies past

primary school. The dowry system, in which a payment of money or livestock is

made by the groom’s family to the bride’s family, is still common, but the

practice varies enormously from area to area and has changed significantly in

recent decades. Among some groups, specific gifts must be given in order for a

marriage to be fully recognized. Grooms and their families may give a larger

dowry (in gifts and cash) to the bride's family if the bride is well-educated, and

this dowry is considered more a sign of appreciation than a gift of obligation.

Welfare institutions and churches might also contribute to a dowry. Families and

friends help organize and pay for the wedding.

Cuisine

Traditional cuisine in Chilean communities consists of Ugali (a stiff dough) or uji

(porridge) made from maize meal, millet, or sorghum flour. Ugali is eaten with a

stew that might include goat, beef, lamb, chicken, fish, beans, or other

vegetables, depending on what foods are available. Meat is expensive and is

often saved for special occasions. Fish is also expensive, outside of fishing

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communities. Rice, kitumbua (rice-flour fritters), and chapati (flat bread) are also

eaten, particularly on the coast. Bananas, pineapples, mangoes, oranges,

papayas, and avocados are popular fruits. Kale, green peas, and cabbage are

some of the more commonly eaten vegetables.

Recreation

Soccer is the most popular team sport in Kenya; highly organized,

although poorly equipped, soccer leagues operate in even the poorest areas.

Track and field activities are also popular, and some of the world’s best athletes

(notably distance runners) have come from Kenya. Many people enjoy wrestling,

tug-of-war, and checkers. A board game called bao or ajua, which uses seeds

or pebbles, is traditional in some communities. Field hockey, cricket, and

croquet—sports introduced during the country’s colonial days—are played in

many big cities.

The Kenyan National Theatre offers drama, concerts, and dance

programs. Storytelling, riddles, and proverbs are much enjoyed in rural areas,

and cinemas and nightclubs are popular in cities.

In some communities, traditional values emphasize coexistence with

animals and drought is considered a result of the unnecessary killing of animals.

National parks and game reserves cover 6.2 percent (1997) of the country’s

total land area, hunting has been banned since 1977, and Kenya has been in

the forefront of the fight against the illegal ivory trade. Many tourists come to

visit Kenya’s safari areas, drawn by the opportunity to see zebras, lions,

elephants, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, gazelles, and monkeys. National parks

and game reserves cover more than 6 percent (1997) of the country’s total land

area.

PORT OF RADES

The Port of Rades at latitude 36º48’16” N and 10º16’9” E, serves the capital city of Tunis. Located nine kilometers southeast of the Tunisia's largest city, much of Tunis' harbor facilities are located in the town of Rades. The Port plays an important role in Tunisia's transportation network, as it is the country's main port for container and roll-on/roll-off traffic. Handling about a quarter of the country's

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overall traffic, the Port handles 87% of the volume of containerized goods and 80% of its rolling cargo.

In 2008, the Port of Rades handled a total of 5.9 million tons of cargo,

including 5.8 million tons of foreign cargoes and over 63 thousand tons of

domestic cabotage. Included in this total is 2.1 million tons of containerized

cargo. The major cargo categories handled in the Port included hydrocarbons

(1.2 million tons) and cereals (642 thousand tons) as well as other liquid and

solid bulk cargoes and general merchandise. The Port received 1540 ships in

2008.

The terminal basin at the Port of Rades is a man-made lake with a

surface of 80 hectares and a 400-meter turning circle dredged to 10.5 meters.

The Ports’ customs-controlled zone of the container and roll-on/roll-off terminal

includes six hangars covering 50 hectares, three hectares of which are

warehouses. The berths at the Port total 1770 linear meters.

The terminal for containers and roll-on/roll-off cargoes has berths a total

of 1130 meters long with depths ranging from 6.8 to 9.15 meters. The terminal

also has four specialized berths with a total length of 640 meters. The berth

handling hydrocarbons and other liquid bulk is 170 meters long with alongside

depth of 9.45 meters. The cereals berth, which includes a silo, is 190 meters

long with alongside depth of 9.75 meters. The K.D. Multi-bulk berth, handling

solid and liquid bulk cargoes, is 160 meters long with alongside depth of 9.45

meters. A final berth receiving conventional bulk carriers handles a variety of

goods. It is 120 meters long with alongside depth of 7.2 meters. The container

terminal and specialized berths are also linked to the rail network by both metric

and normal tracks.

TUNISIAN CUSTOMS

Socializing

Tunisians have standard greetings by saying Ass’lama (“Hello”), Bisslama

(“Good-bye”), Sabah El-Kheer (“Good morning”), and Tass’bah Ala Kheer

(“Good night”). Greetings are important in Tunisia and should not be neglected.

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Friends and family members often greet each other by “kissing the air” while

brushing cheeks. Among strangers, both men and women, a handshake is the

most common form of greeting. Expressions of warmth and concern are integral

to the ritual of greeting, and it is normal to inquire about the other person’s

health and family before moving on to other topics of conversation. When

entering a shop or office, a person greets the owner or staff.

The Tunisians, unlike those in most Islamic countries, generally do not

have customs for what is appropriate for the right and left hands, and tend to

use both freely. People of the same sex touch one another to emphasize

speech and communicate warmth. Friends of the same sex often walk hand in

hand, but it is inappropriate for men and women to do so. Foreign visitors are

expected to dress conservatively (covering knees and upper arms).

Family and friends visit one another frequently and unannounced—often

in the late evening. Visits can last several hours and guests are usually invited

for a meal. Guests should always at least sample some of the food and drink

offered, in order to avoid causing offense. Invited guests might bring gifts of fruit

or chocolate (but never alcohol), and it is common for first-time visitors to be

given a tour of the host’s home, especially when a new room or new furniture

has been added. The word Mabrouk is used to congratulate people at weddings

or graduations, or on getting a new job or buying a house.

Family

The Tunisians adhere to the important values of family honor, reputation,

and the principle of mutual support. The extended family remains central to

Tunisian society. Traditionally, men have dominated the household, but today it

is common for men and women to have equal authority. Tunisia has been one of

the most progressive among Muslim countries in advancing women’s rights.

Women account for about 44 percent of the labor force and many hold important

positions.

Marriage is considered a union not only between individuals but also

between two families. Traditionally, marriages were arranged by the parents, but

young people now have increasing opportunities for meeting and getting to

know one another independently. Polygamy, although allowed under Islamic

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law, has been illegal since Tunisia’s independence in 1956. Traditional

weddings, particularly in rural areas, are celebrated over several days, even

weeks. Traditionally, on the night before the wedding, women invited to the

bride’s home apply patterns to her hands and feet using a paste made from

henna leaves; the dried paste is removed after several hours, leaving patterns

behind. During the course of a wedding celebration, a bride may wear one or

two traditional dresses as well as a Western-style gown.

Cuisine

Couscous is Tunisia’s national dish; it is made of steamed and spiced

semolina, and topped with vegetables and meats prepared in many ways. Other

traditional dishes include breek (a thin, fried dough stuffed with an egg, cooked

vegetables, and tuna) and tajine (a slow-cooked stew of vegetables and meat).

Lamb and chicken are the most common meats, and fish is widely available on

the coast. Tomatoes, potatoes, onions, olives, and peppers are frequently used

in Tunisian cooking. Fruits sold in the markets include dates, oranges, apricots,

watermelons, nectarines, and cactus fruit (hindi, the “sultan of all fruits”). Alcohol

and pork are forbidden by Islam, but alcohol is available in large towns.

Eating from a common plate is customary. Traditionally, Tunisians eat

with their fingers, sometimes using bread to gather food or mop up sauces. But

Western-style eating from separate plates using cutlery is equally common. In

some traditional homes, people sit on the floor around a low, round, wooden

table at mealtimes. A host will often insist that guests have second or third

helpings, and it is polite for guests to accept. When people have eaten enough,

the word el-Hamdullah (“Thanks to God”) indicates they have had a good meal.

Burping after a meal is considered rude. In restaurants, a service charge is

usually included in the bill.

Recreation

Listening to music, watching films (increasingly on video cassette

recorders), going to the beach, playing soccer and beach volleyball (mostly

men), and visiting friends and relatives are among the most popular leisure

activities. Many people enjoy shkubbah, a traditional card game. Summer arts

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festivals are organized throughout the country and attract large crowds. Cafés

are popular among men, who gather to play cards, discuss sports and politics,

conduct business, and drink coffee. Women do not usually go to cafés unless in

the company of male relatives.

PORT OF ABIDJAN

Port of Abidjan, the main port of the Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), lies at latitude 5º17’0” N and longitude 4º1’26” W on the Ebrie Lagoon linking the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean by the Vridi Plage sandbar. In addition to its seaport, the Port contains an autonomous international airport, making it a communications, commercial and banking center for all of the Cote d’Ivoire.

The Port of Abidjan is West Africa’s biggest, most modern port. With a

central location and a well-developed infrastructure, it is a major point for

transshipments to West and Central Africa over the Cote d’Ivoire’s modern rail

and road systems. The port covers a water surface of 2500 acres and land area

of 50 acres, with specialized warehouse facilities for handling bananas, logs,

and offshore tankers. It is the third largest cocoa bean exporter in the world and

also an important distribution point for imports to Africa. Imports include

foodstuffs, machinery, equipment, pharmaceuticals, and manufactured goods

going to the south. Exports include rubber, cotton, timber, fruit, fish, vegetables,

and cocoa.

With a total of six kilometers of quay, the Port of Abidjan has 34 berths

including berths dedicated for timber, cereals, fruits, petroleum products, and

containers. Dept at the harbor’s mouth is 10.5 meters, and the dept is 12.5

meters at the quays. The Port of Abidjan can accommodate vessels up to 260

meters long. The port contains 407.6 thousand square meters of open storage

and 143.5 square meters of covered warehouses and sheds. Three berths

specialize in container-handling, and one berth is devoted to roll-on/roll-off

cargoes. All of the port’s wharves are connected to the rail network.

CUSTOMS OF IVORY COAST

Socializing

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Shaking hands upon greeting and parting is customary in Ivory Coast.

The handshake should be firm, but an aggressive handshake is considered

impolite. Among friends and relatives, women are kissed (by men and women)

up to three times on both cheeks—in truth they often touch cheeks and “kiss the

air.” The standard phrases for greeting include Bonjour (“Good day”) and

Comment allez-vous? or the more informal Ça va? (both meaning “How are

you?”). Greetings are usually combined with the person’s name or a title, and

usually precede any conversation or request. Good-bye is Au revoir (“Until we

meet again”) or the less formal À bientôt (“See you soon”). First names are used

between friends and close colleagues, but otherwise titles are important and

customary. Besides professional titles, Monsieur (“Mr.”), Madame (“Mrs.”), and

Mademoiselle (“Miss”) are commonly used.

The local café used to be the main center for social life, but more people

now spend their evenings at home. Socializing tends to be reserved for the

weekends. The people are formal in their visiting customs, the host is often

given a bottle of wine or another small gift. The hosts feel they are responsible

for, and enjoy, guiding or directing social occasions by organizing the seating,

leading the conversation, and so forth.

Family

A marriage is legally recognized only if there has been a civil ceremony,

but many people have a religious ceremony as well. An increasing number of

people live together before getting married or as an alternative to marriage.

Family ties and loyalty remain strong, but there has been a shift from the

extended family to the smaller nuclear family. The average family has fewer

than two children, and many children now leave home when they have finished

school. There has also been an increase in the number of people choosing not

to have children.

Traditional artistic expressions in Coast of Ivory include woodcarvings

(particularly masks), decorative fabrics, and acrobatic dancing. The Ivorian

family has been greatly influenced by French culture. The French language is

almost universally used in the written literature to the exclusion of the African

languages.

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Cuisine

The people generally eat a light breakfast (petit déjeuner), which may

consist of croissants or bread and coffee or hot chocolate. Lunch (déjeuner) was

once the main meal of the day, but now many people—particularly in urban

areas—have a lighter lunch and eat their main meal in the evening, Fast food

and many hamburger restaurants operate across the country. Almost every

restaurant has at least one fixed-price menu (a selection of two or three dishes

for each course at a set price), as well as a menu offering individual selections.

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MODULE 13

MAJOR PORTS OF ASIA

Learning Objectives. At the end of this module, you should be able to:

Pre-test.

PORT OF NHAVA SHEVA

Nhava Sheva / Jawaharlal Nehru Port is the largest port in India,

handling close to 50% of the country's port traffic. It is located at latitude

18º57’6” North and longitude 72º56’24” East along the eastern shore of Mumbai

harbour, South-east of Elephanta Island.

It is the only Port built to international standards with a high level of

automation and computerized functioning. It has a land area of 2,500 hectares

(6,000 acres). The Port has two container terminals, with state-of-the-art post

and super post panamax cranes, the JNP Container Terminal and India’s first

privatised container terminal, Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal.

JNP has been accredited with ISO 9002/1994 certificate and has the distinction

of handling 1 million TEUs container cargo, which is an achievement for the first

time by any major Port of India, thus joining the Millionaire club in the

International Port Scenario.

The main goods exported are cotton shirts, knitted t-shirts, sporting

goods, carpets, other textile articles like embroidery machines, boneless meat,

and medicaments. The main imports are chemicals, machinery, plastics,

electrical machinery, vegetable oils and aluminum and other non-ferrous metals.

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PORT OF MUMBAI

Port of Mumbai is strategically situated almost midway (latitude 18º56' 31” N, longitude 72º53’7” E) along the West Coast of India and is gifted with a natural harbour of about 180 sq. km providing for shipping throughout the year. Mumbai Port is home to India's major financial institutions with many headquarters for Indian corporations and branch headquarters for lots of multi-national corporations. Known as Bollywood, it is the center for the Hindi entertainment industry. The Port is also the gateway for more than half of India's sea-going passengers and an important cargo-handling seaport, which has approximately 25% share of general cargo traffic & 36% share of India's marine container traffic.

In the 2008 shipping year, the Port of Mumbai handled a total of over 57

million tons of cargo, including 32.4 million tons of imports and 24.7 million tons

of exports. It handled 1.4 million tons of containerized cargo in 117.6 thousand

TEUs.

Imported cargoes through the Port were dominated by crude oil (12.7

million tons), stream cargo (6.4 million tons), miscellaneous cargoes (4.2 million

tons), POL products (3.4 million tons), and iron and steel (2.8 million tons).

Other imports included bulk chemicals, containers, edible oils, rock phosphate,

fertilizers, and sulfur. Containerized imports of 627.3 thousand tons were in 71.7

thousand TEUs. Export cargoes were dominated by crude oil (13.7 million

tons), POL products (7.2 million tons), iron and steel (1.3 million tons),

containers (886 thousand tons), miscellaneous cargoes (647 thousand tons),

sugar (587 thousand tons), and bulk chemicals (102 thousand tons). Other

exports included molasses, oil cakes, edible oil, and food grains. Containerized

exports of 763.4 thousand tons were in 45.8 thousand TEUs.

MUNDRA PORT

Mundra Port, located 60 km west of Kandla Port in Kutch district of

Gujarat ( latitude 22º44’13” N and 69º42’29” E), is the world's biggest coal

handling terminal which can import 40 million tonnes of coal annually. As India’s

largest private port, the Port of Mundra provides cargo-handling and value-

added services for their customers. The multi-purpose terminals contain nine

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berths of a total 1.8 thousand meters long with alongside depths ranging from 9

to 16.5 meters.

The Port of Mundra offers 21 closed dockside warehouses (go-downs)

with capacity for 137 thousand square meters to store wheat, sugar, rice,

fertilizer and fertilizer raw materials, and de-oiled cakes. The port offers 880

thousand square meters of open storage for steel sheets, coils, plate, clinker,

scrap, salt, coke, bentonite, and coal. An additional 26 thousand square meters

of open storage is available alongside the railway. The port also offers a wheat-

cleaning facility with capacity to handle 1200 metric tons per day and a rice-

sorting and –grading facility that can handle 500 metric tons per day.

Customs of India

Socialization

The namaste is the traditional greeting used in India; it is performed by

pressing the palms together (fingers up) below the chin, and saying “Namaste”

(Namaskaram in the south). To greet superiors or to show respect, a slight bow

is added. “Hello” and “Hi” are also acceptable greetings. Out of respect for a

woman’s privacy, Indian men do not usually shake hands with or touch women

in formal or informal gatherings. Indian men will, however, shake hands with

Westerners, and educated women may do so as a courtesy. It is polite to use

titles such as Shri for a man, Shreemati for a married woman, Kumari for an

unmarried woman, or the suffix -ji with a last name to show respect. Muslims

use the salaam gesture of greeting, which is performed by raising the right hand

toward the forehead, with the index finger pointing to the forehead and the rest

of the hand pointing upwards. It is similar to a salute but not as rigid or formal.

Indians usually ask permission before taking leave of others.

At social gatherings, guests are often adorned with a garland of flowers,

which they then remove and carry in the hand as an expression of humility.

Guests invited for a meal customarily bring sweets, flowers, or fruit for the hosts.

Indians often consider it impolite to say no to an invitation; if they cannot attend,

they are more likely to say they will try to attend. Many Indians do not wear

shoes inside the home. Most at least remove their shoes before entering the

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living room. Hosts offer their guests refreshments such as tea or coffee and fruit

or sweets, which it is polite to decline once or twice before eventually accepting.

When visitors are ready to leave, they often indicate it by saying “Namaste.” In

temples, saffron powder, holy water from the Ganges River, and sometimes

sweets are offered to visitors as prasad, or blessings from the gods; it is

discourteous to refuse these gifts. Women cover their heads when entering

sacred places. In traditional society, women are often not involved in social

functions.

Family

Marriages are still arranged by parents; the degree to which the children

are consulted depends on the family. Marriage is sacred to most Indians and is

considered to endure beyond death. Weddings are times of great celebration,

expense, and feasting. Ceremonies are often elaborate and vary widely from

region to region. In many Hindu ceremonies, the bride and groom exchange

garlands and promises before they circle around a fire seven times to solemnize

the marriage. Bright clothing, jewelry, and flowers are part of almost every type

of ceremony. The bride's parents commonly give a dowry, such as money or

land, to the groom's family, although the practice is illegal.

Cuisine

Foods vary widely in India, depending on the culture and region. Rice is a

staple in the south, while roti (wheat bread) is the staple in the north. Indian

meals are usually very spicy. Different types of curry, made with eggs, fish,

meat, or vegetables, are popular. Vegetarianism is widely practiced, often for

religious reasons. Hindus consider cows to be sacred and they, like Sikhs, will

not eat beef. Observant Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol.

PORT OF JAKARTA

The Port of Jakarta lies at latitude 6º6’20” South and longitude 106º51’38” East on the northwest coast of the island of Java at the mouth of the Ciliwung River about 116 nautical miles east-southeast of the Port of Panjang on the island of Sumatra. It is the biggest seaport in Indonesia and one of the biggest in the Java Sea region. With annual capacity for about 45 million tons of cargo and four million TEUs of containerized cargo, the Port of Jakarta is a major employer with over 18 thousand workers.

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In 2008, over 17.8 thousand vessels carried a total of almost 42 million tons of cargo and 3.7 million TEUs of containerized cargoes through the Port of Jakarta. This total included 10.5 million tons of containerized goods in 3.7 million TEUs, 8.2 million tons of liquid bulk cargo, 7.9 million tons of general cargo, 8.2 million tons of dry bulk cargo, and 1.8 million tons of bag cargo. Its Container Port is the largest container terminal in Indonesia and the country's national hub port.

The Port of Jakarta contains twenty terminals devoted to general, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and containerized cargoes. Specialized terminals handle oil, chemicals, scrap, and passengers. The Port has quays of a total 16.8 thousand square meters in length with 76 berths and also contains storage areas of 661.8 thousand square meters with capacity to store over 401.4 thousand tons of cargo.

Indonesian Customs

Socializing

A nod or slight bow is the usual form of greeting, although when meeting

someone for the first time it is normal to shake hands as well. Handshakes are

also used when congratulating someone or when saying goodbye before a long

trip. Titles are very important and should be used when greeting and in general

conversation. The most formal introduction would include, in roughly this order,

Bapak (“Sir”) or Ibu (“Madam”), an academic or professional title (if applicable),

the noble title (if the person uses it), and the person’s given and family names.

When socializing, one never touches the head of another person. Unless

married or engaged to her, a man usually does not touch a woman in public,

except to shake hands. The left hand is not used to shake hands, touch others,

point, eat, or give or receive objects. Many Indonesians, especially the

Javanese, have only one name and are therefore addressed both formally and

casually by that name. Business representatives often exchange cards when

greeting each other.

Indonesian culture is based on honor and respect for the individual.

Letters begin with Dengan hormat, meaning “With respect,” and respect is

important in greeting others. Status is also important; the most senior person or

the host should be greeted first, and special deference should be shown to older

people. Indonesians believe that visits bring honor to the host, and they warmly

welcome all guests. Unannounced visits are common. When a visit has been

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prearranged it is usual to arrive half an hour after the appointed time. Visitors sit

when invited to, but will also rise when the host or hostess enters the room,

because deference to one’s host is very important. A drink is often served, but a

guest does not drink until invited to. A person may cause offense by refusing

when food or drink is offered. Blunt talk should be avoided. If the host or hostess

is not wearing footwear, it is polite for visitors to remove theirs. Shoes are

removed before entering carpeted rooms, feasting places, places of funeral

viewings, mosques, and other holy places. Gifts are not opened in the giver’s

presence.

Family

In most regions, the home is traditionally dominated by the father, and the

mother is responsible for raising children and caring for the household. In urban

areas, however, the trend today is for many women to work outside the home,

and women now make up 37.9 percent (2006) of the labor force.

Women in rural areas are often married by the time they are 20 years old.

Although people throughout the country have more freedom to choose their own

marriage partners than they had in the past, rural families are generally more

involved than urban families are in the choice of their children's spouses, and

men generally have somewhat more freedom in choosing their spouses than

women have. Engagement is more than an agreement between the future bride

and groom; it binds the two families. Members of the extended family often live

under the same roof or near one another. Older people are shown special

respect.

Women occupy 12 percent of the seats in parliament and generally have

as much access to education as men do. Indonesian women have more rights

than women in other predominantly Muslim countries, including rights in

property settlements, inheritance, and divorce. Among the Minangkabau ethnic

group, the mother is the dominant figure in the household, and extended

families group together according to matrilineal descent.

Cuisine

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Rice is the staple and is eaten at every meal. Vegetables, fish, and hot

sauces are often served with the rice; specific dishes vary according to the

region. Tea and coffee are the most common drinks. Fresh fruit is widely

available and is often eaten as dessert. Popular meats include beef and

chicken. Observant Muslims do not eat pork. Chilies are often used (sometimes

in large quantities) in cooking, as are other spices. Coconut milk is used to cook

particularly spicy food known as padang food, named after the city on Sumatra

where it originated. In the capital, Jakarta, restaurants serve a variety of different

cuisines, although the range is not as extensive as in some other Southeast

Asian capitals.

Many Indonesians eat with a spoon and fork, but more traditional families

eat with their hands. Generally, the fork is held in the left hand and the spoon in

the right, and both hands are kept above the table while eating. It is impolite to

eat or drink until invited to do so by the host. Finishing a drink implies the desire

for the glass to be refilled. There are many street vendors selling food, but

people who purchase food should always sit to eat because it is considered

inappropriate to eat while standing or walking on the street.

Recreation

Badminton and soccer are the most popular sports, and many people play

volleyball and tennis. Shadow-puppet theater is a traditional art, and

performances are particularly common in rural areas and on special occasions.

Other recreational activities include watching television and going to the cinema.

Censorship is strict.

PORT OF KARACHI

The Port of Karachi, located between the towns of Kiamari and Saddar,

close to the heart of the main business district, is Pakistan’s largest and busiest

seaport, handling about 60% of the nation's cargo (25 million tons per annum).

The geographic position at latitude 24º50’6” N and longitude 66º58’40” E of

Karachi places the port in close proximity to major shipping routes such as the

Strait of Hormuz. One of the busiest ports east of the Suez Canal, the Port of

Karachi handles all of Pakistan's and Afghanistan's sea-borne trade.

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The Port’s major products are textiles and footwear, and other

manufactured goods include metal products, paper, food and beverages,

machinery, wood and furniture, chemicals, leather, petroleum, rubber, hand

loomed cloth, carpets, lace, brass goods, pottery, and silver and gold

embroidery and electrical goods.

The main areas of port activity are two wharves; East Wharf with seventeen vessel berths and West Wharf with thirteen vessel berths. The maximum depth alongside the berths is currently 11.3 metres. The two wharves extend in opposite directions along the upper harbour – the East Wharf northeast from Kiamari Island and the West Wharf southwest from Saddar town. The two wharves each include a container terminal equipped with three Panamax cranes and one post-Panamax . It has a handling capacity of 350,000 TEUs per annum and handles container ships up to 11.5 metre draught.

Customs of Pakistan

Socializing

The most common greeting in Pakistan is Assalaam alaikum ('May peace

be upon you'). The reply is Waalaikum assalaam ('And peace also upon you').

'Good-bye' is Khodha haafiz. Male friends may walk hand in hand or with their

arms over each other's shoulders. A handshake is the most common, although

close friends may embrace if meeting after a long absence. Women might greet

each other with a handshake or hug. It is not appropriate for a man to shake

hands with a woman or to touch her in public. Greetings often include inquiries

about one's health and family, which can take some time.

There is a long tradition of hospitality in Pakistan, and friends and

relatives visit each other frequently. Hosts take pride in making guests feel

welcome and whenever possible will greet each person individually. Visitors are

usually offered coffee, tea, or soft drinks, and may be invited to eat a meal. It is

usual to accept, although one may decline by offering a polite explanation. If

well acquainted with the hosts or if the occasion is special, guests often bring

fruit, sweets, or a gift for the children or the home, but anything that is expensive

may embarrass the hosts. It is customary to socialize primarily before a meal

and then to stay at least a half hour after the meal is finished. In traditional

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homes, men and women do not socialize together, but it is now common for

educated urban dwellers of both genders to mingle socially.

Family

Pakistanis view marriage as a union of two families as much as a union of

two people. Individual choice of marriage partners has traditionally played a

small role in the marriage process, and arranged marriages are still the

standard. Formal engagements may last from a few months to many years,

depending on the age of the couple. In some cases, the bride and groom meet

for the first time on their wedding day. Both families participate in the wedding

preparations. A Qazi, or judge, completes the marriage contract between the

two families. Wedding rituals are elaborate, and men and women generally

celebrate separately.

Although Islamic law permits a man to have up to four wives if he can

care for each equally, very few Pakistani men have more than one.

Modernization has brought many women into public life, the male is considered

head of the home. It is common for the extended family—a father and mother,

children and their families—to live together in the same household. The

presiding male of the family has significant influence over the lives of all family

members, although women are becoming more active in decision making. The

elderly are highly respected.

Cuisine

There are significant regional differences in cuisine, but the mainstay of

the Pakistani diet is chapati or roti, an unleavened bread similar to pita bread.

Pakistani food is generally spicy and oily. Curries and heavy spices prevail in

the south, while barbecuing is more common in the north. For marriage feasts,

chicken curry is common. The kabab, strips or chunks of meat barbecued over

an open grill on a skewer, is cooked with or without spices and is prepared in

various ways. Vegetables and fruits figure prominently in the diet. Snack foods

include samosas (deep-fried pastry triangles filled with vegetables) and pakoras

(floured and deep-fried vegetables). Tea is the most popular drink.

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Observant Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol, and strict civil laws

govern the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Muslims use only the

right hand to eat food. In urban areas, many people have dining tables and may

eat with utensils. In rural areas, people sit on the floor or ground to eat.

Whenever possible, the whole family eats together. During the month of

Ramzan (Ramadan), Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sundown. They

eat together in the evenings, which are also occasions to visit or offer prayers.

During Ramzan, it is considerate for non-Muslims to avoid eating or drinking in

front of Muslims during daylight hours.

A type of yogurt is commonly eaten at meals, and rice is part of many

meals and desserts. Two customary dishes include pulla´o (lightly fried rice with

vegetables) and biryani (rice with meat or vegetables and spices). Kheer is a

type of rice pudding. Only the more affluent families can afford to eat meat

(usually mutton, lamb, beef, or chicken) or fish regularly. Chapati is used to

scoop up the food. Often the father feeds young children and the mother feeds

infants. In large groups, men and women eat in separate areas. Extended

families often gather for large meals.

Recreation

Cricket, field hockey, and squash are among the most popular sports.

Sports developed in Pakistan include a particular type of team wrestling called

kabaddi, and polo, which was adopted by the British. In kabaddi, two teams face

each other. A player tags an opponent; he then attempts to get back to his team

as his opponent comes after him and tries to restrain him by wrestling him down

to the ground until his time is up. Pakistanis also enjoy soccer and tennis. Going

to the cinema, watching television or videos, having picnics, listening to music,

and visiting friends and family members are all popular forms of recreation.

PORT OF SHANGHAI

The Port of Shanghai, (latitude 31º13’19” N and longitude 121º29’22” E)

located on the Huangpu River at the mouth of the Yangtze River, comprises a

deep-sea port and a river port. Shanghai is the largest port in China and the

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world's second busiest seaport and is one of the most popular tourist

destinations in the world.

The Port of Shanghai is China's leading commercial and financial center,

and it has been called the world's fastest-growing economy. The Port has a

more solid base in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Experiencing a

building boom, Shanghai's architectural style is unique and recognizable in its

range of height, design, color, and unusual features.

The Port has 125 berths with a total quay length of about 20 kilometers.

Of the total, 82 berths can accommodate vessels of 10 thousand DWT and

above. There are total of 293 thousand square meters of warehouses and over

4.7 million square meters of storage yards with 5143 units of cargo-handling

equipment.

The Port of Shanghai occupies an enviable geographic location, enjoys

near-ideal natural conditions, serves a vast economically-developed hinterland,

and has ample inland distribution facilities and infrastructure. In 2008, the Port of

Shanghai handled 368 million tons of cargo, including 28 million TEUs of

containerized cargo, despite the worldwide financial crisis.

PORT OF YANTIAN

The Port of Yantian at latitude 22º34’27” N and longitude 114º16’2” E, is

located in Guangdong Province in southeastern China on the coast of the South

China Sea just 36 kilometers north of Hong Kong.

The Port of Yantian is South China's main container port and is engaged

in major expansion efforts. Yearly, the Port handles more than 6.4 million TEUs

of containerized cargo, making it one of the world's biggest container ports with

more than 80 international trade routes, including 35 with North America and 31

with Europe. The port was designed to be a comprehensive port, mainly

devoted to international transshipment of containers as well as bulk and general

cargo. The Association of Global Logistics recognized the Port of Yantian as the

2005-2006 Best Global Container Port." Yantian Port container throughput in

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2007 reached 10.02 million TEUs of containerized cargo, and 2008 container

throughput was 9.68 million TEUs.

CHINESE CUSTOMS

Socialization

Ni hao ma? ('How are you?') is a frequently used greeting by nodding

politely or bowing slightly when greeting another person. A handshake is also

acceptable, especially in formal situations or to show respect. A common

informal greeting is Chi le ma? (“Have you eaten?”). The response is either Chi

le (“Yes”) or Mei you (“Not yet”). People often reply 'Chi le' even if they have not

eaten, in order to be polite. The Chinese tend to be formal in their introductions;

they use the full titles of their guests but are less precise in identifying

themselves. Chinese names usually consist of a one-syllable family name,

followed by a one- or two-syllable given name. A person is either addressed by

the full name or by the family name and title. In lieu of professional titles, the

Chinese equivalents of “Mr.” and “Mrs.” are used. Thus, Wang Jian-Jun can also

be called “Mr.” Wang, but never simply Wang and rarely ever Jian-Jun. In place

of titles, the terms Lao and Xiao might be used between friends, the former for

older friends and the latter for younger ones. Titles such as “Teacher” or

“Doctor” may also be used.

The Chinese refrains from touching people they do not know, except in

crowds where physical contact is unavoidable. A smile is preferred to a pat on

the back or a similar gesture. This is especially important when dealing with

older people or people in important positions. When invited to formal gatherings,

one is generally prompt; being more than a few minutes late is considered

impolite.

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Family

Family loyalty to the lineage has always been important to the Chinese.

Urban Chinese couples should follow the one child policy which has been in

practice since the early 1980s. College students are forbidden to marry until

after graduation. The sanctioned age for marriage is 22 for men and 20 for

women. Those who marry before that age are not eligible for some of the same

benefits as those who wait. The woman retains her father's surname and does

not take the family name of her husband. Sons are traditionally valued more

than daughters because they remain within their family, providing for their

parents in old age and continuing the family line. Most people want their children

to be well educated and more prosperous than they themselves have been.

Cuisine

Chopsticks are used for all meals in China. Food is placed at the center

of the table and may include more than one type of main dish to be eaten with

rice. Some food is taken to be placed in the bowl, which is then held close to the

mouth for eating. Inedible bones and seeds are placed on the table or in a dish

but never back in the rice bowl. When finished, a person places the chopsticks

neatly on the table; they are not left in the rice bowl. Soup is served toward the

end of a meal, except in Guangdong province, where soup is served as the first

course. At formal banquets, guests should have a short, friendly speech

prepared to respond to a host’s remarks.

Recreation

Many ancient and popular games originated in China, including majiang

(mah-jongg), which is the nation’s most popular table game; Chinese chess; and

various card games. Wei qi (known as “Go” in some other countries) is a

strategy game played in more educated circles. Parks and courtyards are often

filled in the morning by those practicing t’ai chi ch’uan, a traditional form of

shadowboxing that provides exercise and meditation.

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PORT OF SINGAPORE

The Port of Singapore is located on the southern end of the Malay

Peninsula in Southeast Asia at latitude 1º17’34”N and longitude 103º43’31” E. It

is the largest of three surviving sovereign city-states in the world, the other two

being Monaco and Vatican City. Lying at the crossroads of international ocean-

going trade routes, the Port of Singapore receives an average of 140 thousand

vessels per year carrying about 30 million containers, 500 million tons of cargo,

and a million cruise passengers.

Currently the world's busiest port in terms of total shipping tonnage, it also

tranships a fifth of the world's shipping containers as the world's busiest

container port, half of the world's annual supply of crude oil, and is the world's

busiest transshipment port.

In 2008, the Port of Singapore handled more than 515.4 million tons of

cargo, including 308.5 million tons of containerized cargo (29.9 million TEUs),

27.9 million tons of conventional cargo, 167.3 million tons of bulk oil cargo, and

11.7 million tons of non-oil bulk cargo. These cargoes, as well as over 33

thousand passengers, were carried by a total of 131.7 thousand vessels through

the Port of Singapore in 2008.

The Port of Singapore contains three major anchorage areas: the Eastern

Sector, the Jurong Sector, and the Western Sector. The Port of Singapore's

Eastern Sector contains the Changi General Purpose Anchorage for general

purposes, for vessels needing immigration clearance, for vessels traveling to the

shipyards and facilities in the East Johor Strait, and for ships moving supplies or

changing crews. The Port's Jurong Anchorage Sector contains the Very Large

Crude Carrier Anchorage and the LNG/LPG/Chemical Gas Carriers Anchorage

for tankers needing immigration clearance. The Western Anchorage Sector

contains the Western Quarantine and Immigration Anchorage for vessels that

must be quarantined and cleared by immigration. The Western Petroleum A

Anchorage is reserved for vessels loaded with petroleum and non-gas free

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vessels and for tankers of 10 thousand or less gross tons. The Port’s Western

Petroleum B Anchorage is reserved for vessels over ten thousand gross tons

loaded with petroleum and non-gas free vessels as well as for tankers needing

immigration clearance.

The Port of Singapore was the first to launch in 2008 the SeaPort

(WISEPORT) wireless-broadband-access service to all ships in port.

CUSTOMS OF SINGAPORE

Socialization

A handshake is the most common gesture of greeting, with the addition of

a slight bow for the Chinese and older people. Specific greetings and other

customs depend on nationality and age group. However, even if various

languages are used for greetings, English is common and acceptable. Between

business representatives and other officials, the exchange of business cards

often accompanies a greeting and is quite a serious ritual; the card should be

held with both hands at the corners and studied carefully. It should not be bent

or folded, as this indicates disrespect for the giver of the card. Visitors are

expected to arrive punctually for meetings and other events. Compliments are

appreciated by hosts, but are politely denied for modesty’s sake. If a gift is given

to a host or guest, it is not opened immediately. Shoes are removed when

visiting religious buildings, such as temples, shrines, and mosques. Most

families also require that shoes be removed before entering the home.

Family

Marriage laws are strictly enforced. It is against the law for couples to live

together or have children without being married. Traditionally, all three of the

main ethnic groups in Singapore have encouraged large families. Today,

although families are much smaller than they were a quarter of a century ago,

the old values of cooperation, loyalty, mutual support, and respect for elders

remain firmly entrenched.

Cuisine

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Singapore is a cosmopolitan society, and etiquette and eating habits vary

according to the style of food being eaten and the people eating it. European-

style utensils, although not as common as chopsticks, are often available. Some

foods are eaten with a spoon, some with the hands. Rice is the dietary staple,

and seafood is particularly popular. A wide variety of cuisine is available, from

Chinese to Indian, Malay to Japanese, and French to Russian. The food

markets serve delicious food at a fraction of the price of mainstream restaurants.

Recreation

There is a strong interest in martial arts such as tae kwon do, and a

number of senior citizens enjoy tàijíquán (t’ai chi ch’uan), an ancient Chinese

exercise and fighting system, and the French game of pétanque. Badminton,

basketball, squash, tennis, golf (Singapore has more golf courses than any

other city in Southeast Asia), sailing, and other water sports are all popular.

Horse races are both a social event and an outlet for the Chinese enthusiasm

for gambling.

PORT OF HONG KONG

Port of Hong Kong, located by the South China Sea at latitude

22º19’16” N and longitude 114º9’35” E on the Kowloon Peninsula, is a

deepwater seaport dominated by trade in containerized manufactured products,

and to a lesser extent raw materials and passengers. A key factor in the

economic development of Hong Kong, the natural shelter and deep waters of

Victoria Harbour provide ideal conditions for berthing and handling all types of

vessels. It is one of the busiest ports in the world, in the three categories of

shipping movements, cargo handled and passengers carried.

The Port of Hong Kong is one of the leading financial centers in the world

and its stock exchange is the world's sixth largest. Often cited as the best

example of laissez-faire capitalism, the government follows a policy of "positive

non-intervention" that leaves the economy to market forces and the private

sector. Much of the Port of Hong Kong's exports come from mainland China.

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In 2008, over 217.3 thousand vessels arrived at the Port of Hong Kong,

including 32.9 thousand ocean-going cargo vessels and three thousand ocean-

going passenger vessels. The Port handled a total of 259.4 million tons of cargo

that included 197.6 million tons of containerized cargo in 24.5 million TEUs, 26.8

million tons of solid bulk, 18.7 million tons of breakbulk, and 16.4 million tons of

liquid bulk cargoes. The total included 146 million tons of imports and 113.4

million tons of exports.

The Port of Hong Kong is the only fully-developed deep-water harbor

between the ports of Shanghai and Singapore. Pilotage is required for vessels

of and over three thousand gross tons and for all gas carriers regardless of

tonnage. The Port contains almost 7.7 thousand meters of quays at the Kwai

Chung and Stonecutters terminals, about 7.0 thousand meters of quays at

public cargo working areas, and 31 mooring buoys for ocean-going vessels.

Three public passenger ferry terminals serve over 20 million passengers per

year traveling to and from mainland China and Macau.

The combined Port of Hong Kong ferry services at the Macau Ferry

Terminal, the China Ferry Terminal, and the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal serve 13

ports in the mainland and Macau. In 2008, almost 24 million passengers

traveled through the ferry terminals, with over 76% of those passengers

traveling to and from Macau. In addition to the ferries, about 100 high-speed

passenger craft use those Port of Hong Kong terminals. The Port contains

ample facilities for the repair, maintenance, dry-dock, and slipping of vessels.

There are three floating docks off Tsing Yi Island, the largest with capacity to lift

up to 46 thousand tons. There are many smaller shipyards throughout the Port

that repair vessels and build specialized craft.

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HONG KONG CHINESE CUSTOMS

Socialization

A handshake is a fairly usual form of greeting. In Chinese, the surname

comes first in a name of two or three words, unless a person is addressing one

of the many Hong Kong Chinese who have Westernized their names. On most

occasions when a gift would be appropriate (such as weddings, festivals, and

the Chinese New Year), the usual gift is money in a red envelope. At the

Chinese New Year, single people receive envelopes of money from their

families, and it is traditional for a guest to bring a gift of fruit or candy for the

host. People offer and receive all gifts with both hands. It is important to show

respect for one’s hosts and their home; this is done not only through good

manners, but also by maintaining good posture. It is always polite to compliment

one’s hosts, who are likely to say that they are not worthy of the praise. As in

many countries in the region, age is revered and older people should be treated

with particular respect.

Family

Chinese family members are bound by a strong tradition of loyalty,

obedience, and respect. Men and women choose their own spouses. Couples

tend to marry later (in their mid- to late 20s) than in many countries. A large

banquet is the highlight of the elaborate wedding celebration. The banquet is

often held after an afternoon of mah-jongg, a tile game that is a cross between

dominoes and cards. Hong Kong has one of the lowest divorce rates in the

world. While families have traditionally been large, a trend toward smaller

families is clear. Chinese do not usually display affection in public, but this is

changing among the younger generation. A source of stress for many families in

Hong Kong is the sharp difference between traditional values and modern

practices. The decision of many to leave Hong Kong before China took control

in summer 1997 also strained the traditionally strong family.

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Cuisine

The Chinese use chopsticks for eating most meals, and visitors should

always try to use them when being entertained in a Chinese home or restaurant.

Dishes of food are placed in the center of the table, and the diners serve

themselves by taking portions of food with chopsticks and placing the food in

their individual bowls of rice. It is proper to hold the rice bowl close to the mouth

when eating. A host will refill a guest’s bowl until the guest politely refuses.

Although Chinese restaurants are in the majority, many different types of cuisine

are available in Hong Kong, including French, Mexican, German, Italian, and

Japanese. American, Thai, and Vietnamese styles of food are also popular.

Recreation

Hong Kong’s passion is horse racing, the only legal form of gambling.

Races are organized by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and held at Sha Tin

in the New Territories and in Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island between

September and May.

PORT OF KAOHSIUNG

The Port of Kaohsiung at latitude 22º33’55” N and longitude 120º18’40” E

is the largest international port of the Republic of China. The Port lies on the

southwest coast of Taiwan, the key intersection of Taiwan Straits and Bashi

Channel. It is Taiwan's principal port and the sixth largest container port in the

world and home to many manufacturing plants which produce aluminum,

cement, refined sugar, salt, brick and tile, fertilizer, and paper.

In 2008, the Port of Kaohsiung handled a total of 146 million tons of

cargo, including 44.4 million tons of exports and 102.3 million tons of imports.

Foreign cargoes of 130.2 million tons included 100.2 million tons of exports and

30 million tons of imports. Domestic cargoes of 16.5 million tons included 14.5

million tons of exports and 2 million tons of imports.

The Port contains over one hundred berths with a total length exceeding

23.4 thousand meters that handle all types of cargo. The Port has 65

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warehouses and transit sheds that can store over 929 thousand tons of cargo

and seven outdoor yards that can handle more than 35 thousand tons. The Port

has alongside depths from five to 16 meters, depths average 10.5 meters, and

berths range from 118 to 384 meters long, averaging 215 meters in length.

TAIWANESE CUSTOMS

Socializing

A nod of the head and a smile are appropriate when meeting someone

for the first time, but for acquaintances and close friends a handshake is usual.

A slight bow shows respect, but it should not be exaggerated. Chinese names

are arranged with the family name first, consisting of one or two syllables. A

one- or two-syllable given name follows. People are generally addressed by

their full name. Only in rare cases are given names used alone. If speaking to

someone in English, a title with the family name is used, such as Dr. Yu or Mr.

Lee. Among businesspeople, the exchange of business cards is an important

part of an introduction, and should be taken seriously. The card should be

accepted with both hands and studied carefully; it should not be bent or folded,

because this indicates disrespect for the giver of the card.

Adults often ask young people about their schoolwork; the elderly

appreciate inquiries about their health. Asking someone if he or she has eaten

(Chr bau le meiyou?) is a common Chinese greeting. The greeting stems from

the tradition of never letting anyone go hungry; it was considered polite to ask if

someone had eaten and offer him or her a meal. Today it is used as a common

greeting that means much the same as “How are you?” Other common

greetings are Ni hau ma? (“How are you?”), Hai hau ma? (“Is everything

okay?”), and to visitors to the home, Ching dzwo (“Please sit”).

People usually remove their shoes before entering a home and they wear

slippers inside. Guests should recognize and greet the elderly first. When

visiting a home for the first time, a small gift, such as fruit, is appropriate. Gifts

are also given to hosts during New Year celebrations. Both hands are used

when exchanging gifts or other items, and gifts are not opened in the presence

of the giver. Hosts and guests appreciate sincere compliments, but will politely

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deny them out of modesty. Visitors should not admire an object too much,

because the host may feel obliged to present it as a gift. It is polite to stand

when a guest, a senior colleague, or an elderly person enters a room. Dinner

conversation often centers on the meal—how it was prepared, what ingredients

were used, and where they were obtained. At the end of a visit, the host often

escorts the guest some distance from the home.

Family

Families in Taiwan have traditionally been large, but a government family-

planning program encourages couples to have no more than two children. An

education campaign has reduced population growth and the size of today’s

nuclear family. It is not uncommon for elderly parents to live with their children.

In rural areas, larger extended families often share the same home. Although

affection is not openly displayed between family members in the Western

manner, families have a deep-rooted sense of unity and obligation to each

other. Family members will agree rather than cause disunity in the family. The

family as a unit also maintains control over the individual. Children generally

yield to the counsel of their parents or to the advice of the oldest member of the

extended family.

Cuisine

Rice is eaten with almost every meal. Otherwise, the Taiwanese diet

consists mainly of soup, seafood, pork, chicken, vegetables, noodles, bread,

and fruit. Sauces are an important part of each meal. Most foods, including

vegetables, are stir-fried. Soup is often served with a meal instead of tea. Tea

and alcoholic beverages such as rice wine are commonly served in social

gatherings. Mealtime plays an important role in family life and is seldom missed.

Chopsticks and a soup spoon are the usual eating utensils in Taiwan. Each

person is given a bowl of rice upon which the meal is served. Guests either

serve themselves or are served from the dishes placed in the center of the table.

Diners may hold the bowls near their mouths and use their chopsticks to eat the

food and rice. Bones and seeds are placed on the table or on a provided plate

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but never in the bowl of rice or on a plate of food. It is impolite to leave rice in

the bowl. Diners place their chopsticks side by side on the table when finished.

At a restaurant, the host expects to pay. Guests may offer to pay, but should not

insist. It is considered improper for adults to eat while walking on the street.

Recreation

Popular forms of recreation are attending the cinema, listening to music,

swimming, and walking. Basketball, table tennis, volleyball, baseball, badminton,

tennis, and soccer are also enjoyed. Baseball is extremely popular among

young people, and Taiwan’s Little League champions consistently do well in the

Little League World Series. Taiwan also has a professional baseball league. T’ai

chi ch’uan, a system of movement and meditation, is a form of exercise and

relaxation. Mah-jongg, a table game played by four people with tiles, is a favorite

activity.

PORT OF TOKYO

The Port of Tokyo (latitude 35º37’29” N and longitude 139º47’29” E) is

located between the estuaries of the Tamagawa and Arakawa Rivers at the

head of Tokyo Bay on Honshu Island's Pacific coast. It is the biggest industrial

and urban area in Japan and one of the major centers of the world economy.

Tokyo, the capital of Japan and home to the Japanese Imperial family and the

Imperial Palace, is the world's most populous urban area. It is one of the most

important financial centers in the world with its workers earning the highest

salaries as well as also recognized by many economic think tanks as the most

expensive city in the world.

In 2008, the Port of Tokyo served more than 31.3 thousand vessels

carrying 87.6 million tons of cargo. Over 6.4 thousand were ocean-going vessels

carrying 46.1 million tons of foreign trade, and more than 24.8 thousand

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domestic vessels carried 41.5 million tons of domestic cargoes. Foreign trade

cargoes included 5.4 thousand container vessels carrying 43.4 million tons of

containerized cargoes in 3.7 million TEUs.

Foreign cargoes of 46.1 million tons handled in the Port of Tokyo in 2008

included 17.6 million tons of exports and 28.5 million tons of imports. In addition

to other (6.4 million tons) and combined cargoes (1.9 million tons), foreign

exports were dominated by chemical products (1.6 million tons), electrical

equipment (1.4 million tons), manufactured goods 1.2 million tons), machinery

(1.2 million tons), and auto parts (1.0 million tons). Other exports included scrap

metal, reusable materials, and pulp and paper.

The Port of Tokyo has been a center for distribution of goods throughout

Japan. With a long history as the country's major domestic marine transport

base, the Port has long handled cargoes of foodstuffs, paper, steel,

automobiles, and other products that satisfy domestic consumers. In 2008, the

Port of Tokyo was recognized for handling the largest volume of import/export

cargo in the nation for nine consecutive years

PORT OF YOKOHAMA

The Port of Yokohama is located at latitude 35º26’11” N and longitude

139º40’4” E. It is Japan's first modern international trade port and has now

become the No.1 cruise port in Japan.

In 2008, the Port of Yokohama served a total of 43.2 thousand ships

carrying more than 141.7 million tons of cargo. Vessels in port included 11.3

thousand ocean-going ships, 5.5 thousand full container ships, and 31.9

thousand costal vessels. The Port handled 91.7 million tons of foreign cargo,

including 46.9 million tons of exports and 44.8 million tons of imports. Domestic

cargoes totaled 50.1 million tons, including 2.4 million tons of containerized

cargo in 277.6 TEUs.

Foreign cargoes through the Port of Yokohama included 46.9 million tons

of exports and 44.8 million tons of imports. Metals and machinery was the

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biggest foreign export category (33.6 million tons). Single largest foreign cargo

was 16.4 million tons of finished automobile exports, included in metals and

machinery category. The biggest import category in 2008 for foreign cargoes

was chemical industrial products (12 million tons), including 7 million tons of

liquefied natural gas). Other foreign imports included mineral products (7.9

million tons); agricultural, stock farm, and aquatic products (6.1 million tons);

miscellaneous industrial products (4.1 million tons); light industrial products (4

million tons); forest products (1 million tons); and other cargoes (3.4 million

tons).

PORT OF CHIBA

The Port of Chiba is located inside Japan's centrally located Tokyo Bay at

latitude 35º33’44” N and longitude 140º3’52” E. Its 133 km of coastline

spanning six cities--from Ichikawa in the north to Sodegaura in the south--make

it the largest port in Japan. It is primarily an industrial port, with over 94% of its

cargo being handled through industry-owned wharves.

In 2008, the Port of Chiba handled 4,547 foreign trade vessels with a

gross tonnage of 87,376 thousand and 61,070 domestic vessels with a gross

tonnage of 56,134 thousand. Foreign trade cargo totaled 98,229 thousand tons

and domestic cargo 68,735 thousand tons, adding up to 166,964 thousand tons

in total. The public wharves were used by 1,403 foreign trade vessels with a

gross tonnage of 8,807 thousand and 13,667 domestic vessels with a gross

tonnage of 14,562 thousand. Foreign trade cargo totaled 3,680 thousand tons

and domestic cargo 6,920 thousand tons, adding up to 10,600 thousand tons in

total.

PORT OF KOBE

The Port of Kobe (latitude 34º41’3” N and longitude 135º14’27” E) is

located on the northwestern shores of Osaka Bay in west-central Honshu, at a

foothill of the range of Mount Rocco. Kobe is one of the most beautiful ports in

the world, with the lush green backdrop of the Rokko Mountains and home to

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major steel and shipbuilding industries as well as the manufacture of small

appliances, food products, and communications and transportation equipment.

During the year 2007, the Port served 3849 vessels and over two million

TEUs of containerized foreign trade cargoes. The Port of Kobe’s role in

international ocean-borne trade is clear in the 83 routes and 346 calls per month

that travel through the port. The Port of Kobe, the westernmost of Japan’s big

five ports, making it the first port for imports and the last port for exports on the

intra-Asian sea routes. China is the port’s biggest trading partner, with 77

container routes connecting the two countries with more than 81 sailings per

week. The Port of Kobe is linked to Japan’s western regions by coastal feeder

and ferry services to 26 ports with 66 sailings per week.

The Port of Kobe is a convenient access point for using expressways,

Shinkansen (bullet train) railways. It is an attractive destination as a gateway to

locations such as Kyoto, Nara and Himeji Castle (which is a UNESCO World

Cultural Heritage Site).

JAPANESE CUSTOMS

Socializing

A bow is the traditional greeting between Japanese. Someone wishing to

show respect or humility bows lower than the other person. Greetings used

depend on the situation. A worker might greet a senior colleague with Ohayō

gozaimasu (“Good morning”), but would greet a customer with Irasshaimase

(“Welcome”). When people doing business together meet for the first time,

Hajime mashite (“Nice to meet you”) may be used. Konnichi wa (“Good day”) is

a standard greeting. Ohayō (an informal “Good morning”), or Genki? (an

informal “Are you well?”) are common casual greetings among young people.

Japanese might shake hands with foreigners. Personal space is

important, and people do not stand too close to each other when greeting or

conversing. In this hierarchical society, titles are important in introductions. The

family name is used with the suffix -san, for both men and women. For example,

a Mr. Ogushi in the United States would be called “Ogushi-san” in Japan. The

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use of personal names is reserved for family and friends. In professional

situations, the exchange of business cards (offered and accepted with both

hands) is an important ritual. The card should be studied carefully upon receipt

and treated with respect; to play with or bend the card would be an insult.

Visits are usually arranged in advance; spontaneous visits between

neighbors are uncommon in urban areas. Shoes are removed before stepping

into a Japanese home. There is usually a small genkan (hallway) between the

door and living area where one stands to remove one’s shoes. After being

removed, shoes are placed together pointing toward the outdoors, or in a closet

or on a shelf in the genkan. Coats are removed before stepping into the genkan.

Slippers are often worn inside but are removed before entering rooms with

straw-mat floors (tatami). There are often special slippers for use in the

bathroom. Guests are usually offered the most comfortable seat. In traditional

Japanese rooms, people sit on the floor.

When visiting, it is customary to take a gift (usually fruit or cakes) to the

hosts. Gifts are given and accepted with both hands and a slight bow.

Traditionally, gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver. A gift says a

great deal about one’s relationship to, and respect for, the recipient. Gifts,

therefore, play an important role in establishing and maintaining business

relationships. A key time for exchanging gifts comes at the end of the year,

when giving gifts to family, friends, officials, and business contacts expresses

thanks for the kindness they have shown throughout the year.

Family

The family is bound together by a strong sense of reputation, obligation,

and responsibility. A person’s actions reflect on his or her family. While the

father is the head of the home, the mother is responsible for household affairs.

Many women now work outside the home. Although many aged parents still live

with their married children’s families, this is becoming less common. On the

other hand, there has been an increase in the number of adult children who

remain in their parents' homes, due to the high cost of housing. In cities, most

families live in high-rise apartment buildings or small homes. Larger homes are

found in less crowded areas.

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The Japanese generally marry in their mid- to late 20s, with men usually

marrying slightly later than women. Weddings can be elaborate and expensive,

and usually take place in hotels. The couple may wear traditional clothing for the

ceremony, European-style wedding outfits for photographs and socializing, and

different clothing for an evening party. Wedding guests bring gifts, often cash,

and leave with gifts from the couple.

Cuisine

The Japanese diet consists largely of rice, vegetables, seafood, fruit, and

small portions of meat. Rice and tea are part of almost every meal. The diet has

been changing in recent decades, however, as the Japanese have begun to

consume more red meat and milk. The additional meat and dairy have

contributed to a growth spurt—young people are taller, on average, than are

members of their parents' generation.

Popular Japanese foods include miso (bean paste) soup, noodles (ramen,

udon, and soba), curry and rice, sashimi (slices of raw fish served with soy

sauce and wasabi, a pungent form of horseradish), tofu, and pork. Sushi is cold

rice, flavored with vinegar, and served with fish (usually raw). Norimaki is a

similar dish, with rice, fish, and/or vegetables wrapped in dried seaweed.

In a traditional meal, the Japanese typically eat from their bowl while

holding it at chest level instead of bending down to the table. Chopsticks (hashi)

are used to eat most meals, but people generally use forks and knives when

eating non-Asian food. Fast food is popular among the young. The main meal is

eaten in the evening.

When being entertained, it is polite to follow the lead of one’s host. The

ability of a visitor to use chopsticks will help create a favorable impression, but it

is important not to point them at anyone or leave them crossed. An empty glass

will usually be refilled, and it is polite to fill others’ glasses before one’s own.

Recreation

Baseball, soccer, tennis, skiing, jogging, and swimming are all popular in

Japan. Traditional sports such as sumo wrestling (a popular spectator sport),

judo, kendo (fencing with bamboo swords), and karate are also enjoyed.

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Baseball, brought to Japan in the 1870s by a U.S. citizen, is the national sport

and is highly competitive at all levels. The entire country becomes involved in

the annual national secondary school championships. Golf is an obsession but,

because it is very expensive to join a club, most people have to limit themselves

to teeing off at one of numerous driving ranges or watching it on television.

Television and cinema are popular.

In cities such as Tokyo and Ōsaka there are many young people who

devote their evenings to keeping up with the fast-changing nightlife scene.

Family outings to the park or to see relatives are a well-established part of the

weekend routine for many. Travel abroad has also become a national pastime in

recent decades.

The traditional performing arts continue to thrive, and include puppet

theater (Bunraku) and highly stylized drama (Nō, Kabuki). Music and dance are

also well supported.

PORT OF INCHEON

The Port of Incheon lies at the mouth of the Han River about 40

kilometers west-southwest of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Incheon Port is

located at 37º 28’ 54” north latitude, 126º 37’ 3” east longitude at the center of

Northeast Asia. Port of Incheon is Seoul's main seaport and the site of the

country's main international airport. Main industries include chemicals, salt,

manufacturing, lumber, oil refining, iron and steel production, plate-glass

making, and high technology. The Port is the gateway for South Korea's largest

economic region, Gyeongin.

From June 2008 to June 2009, the Port of Incheon served almost 21.3

thousand vessels, including 11.8 thousand coastal vessels and 9.5 thousand

ocean-going vessels. The Port of Incheon handled a total of more than 142.7

million tons of cargo, including 44.8 million tons of coastal cargo and almost

97.9 million tons of ocean-going cargo. Included in the total was 26.8 million

tons of containerized cargo in over 1.6 million TEUs.

The single most dominant ocean-going cargo handled in the Port of

Incheon in the 2008-2009 season was petroleum and other gases (almost 23

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million tons). Other major cargo categories carried by ocean-going vessels in

the Port of Incheon included bituminous coal (9.2 million tons), grain (6 million

tons), animal and vegetable products (3.1 million tons), ores other than iron (3.8

million tons), petroleum products (2.4 million tons), wood (2.4 million tons),

anthracite (1.9 million tons), crude oil (1.9 million tons), beverages and alcohol

(1.8 million tons), chemical products (1.5 million tons), and sugar (1.2 million

tons). Port of Incheon ocean-borne cargoes in volumes less than one million

tons included leather and leather goods, plastic and rubber products, fish and

shellfish, fertilizers, cement, fat, industry milling products, natural sand, meat,

and iron ores.

There are three anchorages in the Port of Incheon for vessels waiting to enter port, and there are 25 anchorages inside the Port of Incheon. The depth ranges from 2.5 to 20 meters, and ships up to 100 thousand DWT can berth there. Inbound vessels arriving at the Port of Incheon use the east waterway (Dongsudo), and outbound vessels use the west waterway (Seosudo). It is a high technology port that advances into Northeast Asia transforming Korea into a world class, next generation port. Incheon port established sisterhood port relationship with world leading port such as Le Havre (France), Oakland (US), Vancouver (Canada),Jeddha (Saudi Arabia), and more recently Antwerp (Belgium).

CUSTOMS OF SOUTH KOREA

Socializing

A common greeting is Annyong haseyo?, which means 'How do you do?'

Young children often greet each other with a simple Annyong? To show special

respect, an honorific is added to the greeting: Annyong hashimnikka? Young

children bow or nod when greeting adults.

A gentle nod is the traditional greeting. A slight bow shows respect but

should not be exaggerated. Among urban South Korean men, a nod is often

accompanied by a handshake. The left hand may support or rest under the right

forearm during the handshake to show respect. Women shake hands less often

than men. Between professionals meeting for the first time, business cards are

exchanged; they are presented face up and accepted with both hands after a

handshake. Special deference is shown to elders.

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The use of someone’s title shows respect. Foreign visitors should always

address people formally unless asked to do otherwise. It is not unusual to see

South Korean men (usually younger) holding hands or walking with a hand on a

friend’s shoulder. Touching older people or members of the opposite sex is

generally not appropriate, however.

Guests invited to a home remove their shoes upon entering. While

European-style furniture is common, in traditional Korean homes guests are

seated on cushions on ondol floors that are heated from below. Men sit cross-

legged and women tuck their legs to one side behind them. The guest receives

the warmest or best position. Guests invited for a meal or party customarily

bring a small gift in appreciation, often something that can be served at the

gathering. Refreshments are usually served, and it is impolite to refuse them.

Family

The family is bound together by a strong sense of duty and obligation

among its members. The father is the head of the family; he and the eldest son

receive the greatest respect. In the extended family, the oldest members are

shown particular respect. The eldest son is traditionally given the best

opportunities for education and success. Professional opportunities for women

have expanded in recent years.

Most South Koreans today choose their own spouses. Many forgo the

elaborate traditional-style wedding and marry in public wedding halls wearing

contemporary clothes. Women retain their birth names after they marry.

Although the nuclear family is now more common, especially in the cities, sons

still expect to care for their aging parents. Because of the Confucian emphasis

on family hierarchies, detailed genealogies are kept. These go back centuries

and include each person’s birth, relations, achievements, and place of burial. A

Korean name consists of a one-syllable family name followed by a one- or two-

syllable given name. Kim and Yi are the most common family names.

Cuisine

Rice is the main staple food. It is often combined with red beans or

vegetables and kimch’i, a spicy pickled cabbage. Korean cuisine uses a lot of

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spices. Soup is often part of a meal, and chicken, beef, and fish are common. A

favorite delicacy is bulgogi, strips of marinated and barbecued beef. Barley tea

is served with most meals. Soju and beer are common alcoholic drinks. Fruit is

popular as a dessert. In recent years western food such as hamburgers and

pizza have become popular, especially among young people. Many restaurants

now cater to this change in tastes.

Chopsticks and spoons are the most commonly used eating utensils. At a

dinner party, the meal is usually served first, before socializing. Items are

passed and drinks are poured with the right hand, while the left hand supports

the forearm or wrist. When holding a glass to receive a drink, it is polite to use

both hands. Eating while walking on the street is discouraged and not

appropriate for adults.

Recreation

Baseball and soccer are the most popular spectator sports. Because

Seoul hosted the 1988 Olympic Games, the capital has some excellent facilities.

Koreans also enjoy basketball, swimming, tennis, boxing, and golf—many

Japanese travel to South Korea just to play golf. Walking and hiking are popular,

and the mountains provide opportunities for skiing and mountain climbing. The

national sport is the martial art tae kwon do. Another local sport is ssirum, in

which the contestants wrestle while wearing cloth harnesses. Cinemas, art

exhibits, and theaters also provide entertainment.

PORT KLANG

Port Klang, the largest port in Malaysia, is located at latitude 3º 0’ 25” N

and longitude 101º 21’ 21” E. The port lies on the western shores of Selangor

state on the Kelang River on the Strait of Malacca and about 38 kilometers

southwest of Kuala Lumpur. Port Klang area's industries include manufacturing

of herbicides and rubber footwear as well as pineapple canning. Today, Port

Klang has world-class facilities and services and has trade relations with more

than 120 countries and over 500 ports throughout the world.

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In 2008, Port Klang handled 152 million tons of cargo carried by 15.1

thousand cargo vessels, including 130.2 million tons of containerized cargo, 9.1

million tons of general cargo, 7.5 million tons of dry bulk, and 5.6 million tons of

liquid bulk. Port Klang welcomed over 697 thousand passengers on 1753

vessels in 2008. Port Klang handled almost 8 million TEUs of containerized

cargo, including 6.4 million full and 1.6 million empty containers. Of the total 8

million TEUs, 1.6 million were imports, 1.6 million were exports, and 4.8 million

were transshipments.

Port Klang has a total of 54 berths with a total length of 11.7 thousand

meters. The port can accommodate vessels from six to 130 thousand DWT.

Twelve berths with total length of 5279 meters handle containerized cargoes,

and they have capacity to receive vessels from 40 thousand to 160 thousand

DWT. Thirteen Port Klang breakbulk berths are 2086 meters in length, and they

can accommodate vessels from six thousand to 80 thousand DWT.

Port Klang has three container terminals with capacity to handle 3.6

million TEUs per year, and the port plans to have capacity for 8.4 million TEUs

by 2010. The three terminals are equipped with ample cargo-handling

equipment like post-Panamax quay cranes. Port Klang's Northport Container

Terminal 1 has four berths for container vessels. Berth No. 8, at 213 meters long

with alongside depth of 10.5 meters, can accommodate vessels to 40 thousand

DWT. With total length of 866 meters and alongside depth of 13.2 meters,

Berths 9, 10, and 11 handle ships to 60 thousand DWT.

Port Klang expects to handle 7.3 million tons of dry bulk cargoes and 8.1 million tons of liquid bulk cargoes by 2010. The main dry bulk imports each year include fertilizers, wheat, maize, sugar, and feed and soya bean meal. The major exported dry bulk cargo is palm kernel expeller. The main liquid bulk cargoes include refined vegetable oils, chemicals, and petroleum products. The breakbulk berths include two dolphin berths of 213 meters that can accommodate vessels to 60 thousand DWT.

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CUSTOMS OF MALAYSIA

Socializing

A casual greeting is Halo (“Hello”), or more common among the mostly

Muslim population is Salaam Aleikum. Another frequently used phrase is Afa

khabar (“How are you?” or “What’s new?”). A slight bow when greeting, leaving,

or passing a group of people is a common courtesy—the equivalent in some

other countries of saying “Excuse me.” The usual greeting to a non-Malay is

Selamat pagi (“Good morning”).

Men usually greet each other with a handshake, but close friends use

both hands to grasp the hand of the other. A slight bow or nod of the head is

common when greeting an older person. Women and elderly persons seldom

shake hands but may offer verbal greetings. Business cards are usually

exchanged after an introduction; the ritual is important because business cards

give a clear idea of someone’s status and therefore the correct level of courtesy

that should be extended.

Visiting relatives and friends is an important part of Malaysian life,

especially when one does not share a house with the extended family. Dropping

by without prior arrangement is common, although most people in urban areas

call in advance. Guests are often invited to the home for a meal or socializing.

Many business relationships are formed through entertaining. When invited,

persons are generally not expected to arrive on time, so it is not uncommon for

scheduled events and appointments to start later than expected. Shoes should

be removed when entering a home, and if refreshments are offered, one should

accept so as not to give offense. Drinks are offered and received with both

hands. At festival times, Malaysians follow the custom of the “open house,”

when homes are open to all who come, irrespective of class, ethnicity, or status.

Family

The extended family is central to Malaysian life, and it is quite usual for

two or more generations to live in the same house. Some marriages are still

arranged by families, and even when people are choosing marriage partners for

themselves they usually do so in consultation with family members. A marriage

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is believed to join not only two people but also two families. Wedding customs

and ceremonies vary according to religion.

Elders are well respected. However, modernization and urbanization have

brought changes, and in urban areas nuclear families are more common, with

members of the extended family living in the same city or neighborhood, but not

the same house. Many couples are also choosing to have smaller families than

has traditionally been the case.

Cuisine

Rice is the staple and fish is the main source of protein. Spices are used

heavily in cooking. Local fruits include pineapples, bananas, papayas, and

durians. The latter are large and oval-shaped and have a strong smell, but they

are considered the tastiest and best of fruits. Malaysians enjoy dining out at

restaurants or at street food markets. In Kuala Lumpur, restaurants serve a wide

range of cuisine.

Eating customs vary among ethnic groups. Traditionally, Malays and

Indians eat with their hands and with spoons and forks. Chinese eat with

chopsticks, spoons, and forks. Some cultural groups refrain from eating certain

foods—for example, observant Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcoholic

beverages. Practicing Hindus and some Buddhists do not eat beef.

Recreation

Soccer and badminton are the country’s most popular sports. Others

include field hockey, cricket, rugby, and table tennis. There are also facilities for

swimming, tennis, cycling, volleyball, and squash. Traditional activities include

sepaktakraw (a competitive team sport played with a rattan ball), gasing (which

involves spinning heavy tops for long periods of time), and martial arts

(particularly silat). Other popular activities include kite flying, watching television

and movies, and visiting friends. A number of festivals provide recreational high

points of the year.

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PORT OF COLOMBO

The Port of Colombo is located on Sri Lanka’s southwestern shores on

the Kelani River at latitude 6º 57’ 5”N and longitude 79º 51’ 1”E. With one of the

world’s biggest artificial harbors, the Port of Colombo handles most of the

country’s foreign trade and is a major Indian Ocean seaport. The leading

industries in the Port of Colombo are jewelry, chemicals, glass, textiles, leather

goods, cement, and furniture.

The Port of Colombo’s Jaya Container Terminals are located at the

western and northern entrances to the port. They cover 130 hectares of land

and 70 hectares of water surface. They contain four main berths and two feeder

berths. The quays are a total of 1292 meters long with an additional 350 meters

of feeder berth quay at dredged depths ranging from 12 to 15 meters. The

quays are equipped with Panamax and Super Post-Panamax quayside

container cranes and rail-mounted gantry cranes.

The Port of Colombo’s Unity Container Terminal has two container berths

and one multi-purpose berth dredged to depths from 9 to 11 meters. The

terminal has 590 meters of quay and 1.5 hectares of container terminal area

with stacking capacity for 8 thousand TEUs.

CUSTOMS OF SRI LANKA

Socializing

Forms of greeting vary among ethnic groups. The traditional greeting

consists of placing one's palms together under the chin and bowing the head

slightly. A handshake is also acceptable. When greeting, people say either

Ayubowan if they speak Sinhalese, or Vannakkam if they speak Tamil. In both

languages the meaning is 'May you be blessed with the gift of a long life.' Titles

are important to Sri Lankans, and it is proper to address acquaintances by their

titles. Among close friends and relatives, familial titles replace formal ones. For

example, in Sinhalese one addresses an older male friend as aiya, which means

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'older brother,' and a younger female cousin as nangi, which means 'younger

sister.'

Sri Lankans enjoy visiting at home and they also meet at parks or

restaurants. They often take short sightseeing excursions together. Once

seated, guests are offered tea, usually sweetened with sugar and milk. It is

impolite to refuse such an offer, although one can ask for a substitute, such as

water. In some homes, people remove their shoes before entering. It is

traditional to bring small gifts (often food) when visiting.

Family

Marriage is an extremely important event in Sri Lankan life, and the

ceremonies are often elaborate and costly. Although individual choice of

marriage partner occurs among more Westernized circles, the traditional

practice of arranged marriages still prevails in Sri Lanka. The timing of various

wedding events, such as what time the wedding parties arrive, what time the

ceremony begins and ends, when the papers are signed, when the newly

married couple leaves the ceremony, and when they arrive at their new home, is

governed by astrology. Each event is calculated to the minute so as to give the

marriage the best possible start.

If a nuclear family has its own household, it will often live very close to

relatives. Women have economic and political opportunities outside the home,

but are expected to be able to maintain all household responsibilities as well.

Parents expect to provide their children with all basic needs even into adulthood.

The elderly receive deep respect, and younger family members often yield to

their advice and counsel. Children expect to care for their elderly parents, if

necessary.

Cuisine

Rice is the staple and basic food for all meals in the Sri Lankan diet. Each

ethnic group in Sri Lanka is known for its own dishes, but each has also

borrowed from the others over time; thus, Sri Lankan cuisine is a combination of

all the different types. Several different curries are popular, from mild to very

spicy. Sri Lankans typically consume little meat, but they do eat large amounts

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of pulses (peas and beans) and nuts. A main meal usually begins with rice or

bread, followed by a curry or dahl, which are lentils, and a vegetable such as

cabbage or carrots. Favorite foods include pol sambol, which is scraped and

spiced coconut, and katta sambol, which is a very spicy mixture of fried onions

and chilies. The Burghers are known for their cakes and sweetmeats, which are

also an integral part of the country's diet. Tea is served with most meals and as

a refreshment.

The different religions of the country play a large role in determining what

people eat. Those who adhere strictly to Buddhist doctrines do not eat flesh of

any kind, but some Buddhists include fish or eggs in their diet. Many Hindus are

vegetarians; those who do eat meat do not eat beef. Practicing Muslims do not

eat pork.

Recreation

Sri Lankans’ enjoy many sports introduced by the British, including

soccer, rugby, and cricket. Tennis, badminton, swimming, and fishing are also

popular, and people like to play chess, bridge, and other table games. Attending

cinemas showing European-language and Sri Lankan films are a favorite

pastime. Sri Lanka has a long tradition in the dramatic arts, and people enjoy

both live and puppet theater.

PORT OF MANILA

The Port of Manila, at latitude 14º 31’ 27”N and 120º 56’ 57”E, is the

Philippines largest and busiest port. Located on one of the world's best natural

harbors, the Port of Manila is the world's shipping gateway to the Philippines.

The Port of Manila International Cargo Terminal (MICT) is one of the most active

seaports in Asia.

In 2008, the Port of Manila served a total of 5325 vessels, including 2442

foreign vessels and 1911 domestic vessels. The Port of Manila's North Harbor

served 1911 domestic vessels and 208 foreign vessels. The South Harbor

served 1007 foreign and 764 domestic vessels. The Manila International Cargo

Terminal (MICT) served 1435 foreign vessels.

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Volume of cargoes handled by the Port total 44.2 million metric tons,

including 20.7 million metric tons of domestic and 23.5 million metric tons of

foreign cargo. The Port of Manila's North Harbor handled 16.7 million metric

tons, including 13.8 million metric tons of domestic and almost three million

metric tons of foreign cargo. The South Harbor handled a total of 12.9 million

metric tons of cargo, including 6.9 million metric tons of domestic and over six

million metric tons of foreign cargo. The MICT handled almost 14.5 million

metric tons of cargo, including 924 thousand metric tons of domestic cargo.

Annually, the Port of Manila handles a total of almost 23.5 million metric

tons of foreign cargo. The Port of Manila International Cargo Terminal handles

14.5 million metric tons of foreign cargo, while the North and South Harbors

handle over nine million metric tons. The Port of Manila handles 2.7 million

TEUs of containerized cargo, including 1.9 million TEUs of foreign containers

and almost 808 thousand TEUs of domestic containers. The North Harbor

handles 608 thousand TEUs of domestic containers. The South Harbor handles

716.3 thousand TEUs of foreign and almost 200 thousand TEUs of domestic

containers, for a total of 916.3 thousand TEUs. The MICT handles almost 1.2

million TEUs of containers, all but 42 of them foreign containers.

PORT OF SUBIC

The Port of Subic, Subic, Zambales, Philippines, is located in the vicinity

of Subic Bay at latitude 14º 48’ 30”N and longitude 120º 16’ 46”E. One of the

Philippines finest harbours and most strategically based, the Port of Subic is one

of the busiest, largest, historical and most important of Ports in the Philippines

Islands. "Subic Bay Port" is one of the Philippines and South East Asia's Major

Seaport's, and also one of the Philippine's Most Developed and busiest ports.

The Port area is located within the area known as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone

(SBF), which is known simply as Subic Bay. Subic Bay, the Philippines' first free

port, continues to be one of the country's major economic engines with more

than 700 investment projects, including the 4th largest shipbuilding facility in the

world (Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC). Currently upgrading its

port facilities through the Subic Bay Port Development Project and forging ties

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with the Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga to form the

Subic-Clark Corridor via the 45-kilometer Subic-Clark Toll Road.

The Port is operated and managed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan

Authority or SBMA. It covers the fenced area of the former U.S. Naval Base

Subic Bay located in the southwest of Luzon Island in the Philippines

surrounded by the municipality of Subic and Olongapo City in Zambales, and

Hermosa and Morong in Bataan in concurrence of their Sangguniang Bayan

pursuant to Section 12 of RA 7227. The harbor is facing the Zambales Mountain

Range in the west and the Subic Bay opening up to the South China Sea. It is

northwest of the Bataan Peninsula and southwest of the Zambales Province.

Subic Bay Freeport is 110 kilometers north of Manila. Manila Bay and the

Bataan Peninsula separate SBF from Manila. The mountain ranges around the

Subic Bay area and the deep natural harbor provide excellent and protected

anchorage. In addition, these features make the Port of Subic naturally

sheltered from typhoons as well as from the effects of the eruption of Mt.

Pinatubo

Subic Seaport has a natural harbor of up to 13.7 meters covering a total

area of 41 hectares. It has a total of 12 operational piers and wharves. It

presently has three characteristic container terminals, a fertilizer terminal at the

Boton Wharf, a grains bulk terminal at the Leyte Wharf and a general

containerized cargo terminal (Marine Terminal) at the Sattler Pier.

A new container terminal with two berths is now being constructed

through the Subic Bay Port Development Project (SBPDP). The two new berths

has a total capacity of 300,000 TEUs each, enough to accommodate all types of

sea vessels- from small crafts, commercial yachts, ferry boats to container

vessels, cargo ships, oil tankers and aircraft carriers, even the Panamax and

post-Panamax class container vessels.

FILIPINO CUSTOMS

Socializing

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Common Filipino greetings include Kumusta ka na? (“How are you?”),

Anong balita? (“What’s new?”), and Ayos ba tayo ’dyan? (“Is everything all

right?”). Just as common are the English greetings “Hi” and “Good morning.”

Initial greetings are friendly and informal, and are usually accompanied by a

handshake. If people shake hands and wish to show additional respect or

enthusiasm, they place the free hand on top of the handshake or use it to pat

the other person’s shoulder. Young people are taught to show respect to adults

and to address them by a proper title. If a professional title (Doctor, Manager,

etc.) is not appropriate, then “Sir,” “Ma’am,” or a familial title is used. It is

common for young adults to address older adult strangers as Tita (Auntie) or

Tito (Uncle). The elderly might be called Lola (Grandmother) or Lolo

(Grandfather). Numerous other such titles exist in most languages. Among

equals in age and status, first names or nicknames are used in addressing each

other.

Filipinos enjoy visiting as often as possible, especially in the barangays,

which are small villages or suburbs. Visits in rural areas are often unannounced

due to the lack of phones. Among urban residents, visits are less frequent and

more planned. Guests do not typically take gifts, since the visit itself is

considered a gift. However, a guest who has been away for a long time is

expected to bring a small, inexpensive gift (Pasalubong) to the family.

Although socializing in the home is most popular, people also enjoy

gathering in public areas. Urban neighborhoods often have a central area where

people socialize. Villages nearly always have a plaza where political events,

dances, meetings, and socializing occur and basketball can be played nearby.

Family

Loyalty to the extended family is fundamental, as is the concept of mutual

support and self-sacrifice when the family or a member of it needs help. The

close-knit network of relationships even extends to honorary kinships, usually

referred to as kumpadrehan or godparenthood. Particular respect is shown to

more senior members of the family. Traditionally, the nuclear family has been

large, often with four or more children, but today, particularly in urban areas,

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people are having fewer children. Many Filipinos work overseas to earn money

for the extended family at home.

Most people marry before they are 30 years old. The groom and his family

pay for the wedding ceremony and reception. The bride often does not see her

bridal gown until the day she is married. Grooms often wear a barong, an

embroidered shirt that hangs over the trousers, made of pineapple fiber. At the

reception, during the newlyweds’ first dance, relatives may take turns clipping

money to the groom’s shirt or the bride’s gown. Some couples live together

instead of or before having a formal wedding.

Cuisine

Because the Philippines has been influenced by many diverse cultures,

the cuisine is also diverse. Rice is the dietary staple, prepared in a variety of

ways and included in desserts as well as main meals. The primary source of

protein is fish, and pork and poultry are the most common meats. Garlic is used

liberally. A typical meal might consist of boiled rice, fried fish, a vegetable, and

fruit for dessert. Fruit is also often eaten for breakfast.. Adobo is a stew of

chicken or pork in garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar. Meats are often roasted and

served on skewers. Kare-kare is a stew of meat and vegetables served in a

peanut sauce. A favorite snack is halo-halo, a drink made from sweetened

beans, milk, and fruits served in colorful layers with crushed ice. At large

celebrations, the lechon, a stuffed pig, is often roasted over a charcoal fire.

Filipinos usually eat three meals a day, with snack periods (merienda)

between meals. Families in rural areas usually eat all meals together, while

families in urban areas eat breakfast and dinner together on weekdays and all

meals on weekends. When guests are present, they are seated nearest the

head of the home and are always served first. No one eats until after the guest

has had a bite or two. It is proper to keep one’s hands above the table.

Conversation is informal during meals. Although compliments are welcomed, the

best way for a guest to show appreciation of the cooking is to eat heartily. A

small portion is left on the plate to indicate that the person has had enough to

eat.

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Recreation

People spend their leisure time socializing with relatives and neighbors or

watching films; the Philippines is the world’s fourth largest producer of films, a

number of which have a strong religious theme. Films from the United States,

including many low-budget films, are also shown. In the cities, video cassette

recorder (VCR) ownership has grown considerably among the middle class, and

video rental stores are common. Sundays are big days for sports; basketball,

baseball, and soccer are all played. Filipinos are keen gamblers, which accounts

for the popularity of horse races and cockfights, and playing mah-jongg, a

Chinese table game played with tiles.

PORTS OF DUBAI

Dubai’s Port Rashid and Jebel Ali are modern ports of the United Arab

Emirates (UAE). Port Rashid lies at latitude 25º 16’ 2”N and longitude 55º 16’

15”E contains a large shipyard, and Jebel Ali at latitude 24º 59’ 49”N and

longitude 55º 3’ 34”E is located on one of the world’s biggest man-made

harbors. Port Rashid (known as Mina Rashid in Arabic) is a man-made

commercial port named after Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

The Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) operates Port Rashid and Port Jebel Ali.

The DPA serves over 100 shipping lines and has facilities that include 102

deepwater berths, 23 container gantry cranes, and ten container terminal berths.

In 2007, the Dubai terminals handled over 10 million TEUs. The major

commodities handled at Port Rashid include minerals, timber, steel, sugar, rice,

and project cargo as well as chilled and frozen foods. The Port Rashid terminals

include a jetty that handles tankers up to 40 thousand tons and bunker barges.

It also offers a ferry service that is popular for passengers moving between

Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, and both Iraq and Iran.

Modern Port Rashid handles containerized, general, and roll-on/roll-off

cargo as well as passenger vessels. Port Jebel Ali was created to supplement

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Port Rashid’s facilities. The Dubai dry docks and Maritime City are located

adjacent to the port. In 2008, all cargo operations were moved to Port Jebel Ali

and that Port Rashid would become a cruise terminal and mixed-use urban

waterfront area to house 200,000 people.

CUSTOMS OF DUBAI

There are several forms of greetings but the most common form is a

handshake with the right hand and the phrase As-salaamu ’alaykum (“Peace be

upon you”). The usual reply is Alikum essalam, which has virtually the same

meaning. The reply to SabaHel khair (“Good morning”) is SabaHel nur (“Good

morning,” or literally, “May your morning be full of light”) and to MasaEl khair

(“Good evening”), it is MasaEl nur (“Good evening,” or literally, “May your

evening be full of light”). People respond to “How are you?” (Eshloanak for a

man; Eshloanich for a woman) with Zain, al-Humdulillah (“Good, thanks be to

Allah”). “Goodbye” is Ma’assalameh. A casual hello is Marhaba. Frequently,

males will follow the greeting by extending the left hand to each other’s right

shoulder and kissing the other’s right and left cheeks. The greeting used

depends on the individuals’ relationship to each other and their status in society.

When accompanied by a woman wearing a veil, a man will not normally

introduce her, and one does not expect to shake hands with her.

A long tradition of hospitality has its roots in the ancient custom that any

traveler in the desert who ran into difficulty could receive protection for three and

one-third days. Invitations to Arab home are often given to a man alone. If his

wife is invited, she may go to eat with the other women in a separate room or

other quarters. Upon entering a house, people often remove their shoes. It is

inappropriate for a first-time guest to take a gift to the woman of the house.

Otherwise, gift giving is common. Dinner guests usually present flowers, sweets,

or other small items to the hosts as appreciation for their hospitality.

Hosts encourage guests to take second helpings and are pleased when

they do, but a person can also politely decline further helpings. An empty cup is

always refilled, so when a person has had enough tea or coffee to drink, the cup

should be covered with the hand or shaken gently from side to side. The word

bas means “enough.” Coffee is served at the end of a gathering, just before it is

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time for the guests to leave. Compliments are often given to the host, who will

pass them on to his wife.

Family

Marriages are usually arranged, but a growing minority of young men

and women in urban areas are being allowed to choose their partners. The

wedding ceremony is followed by separate celebrations for the men and the

women. Although Muslim law allows a man to have up to four wives, most men

have only one wife. To have another wife, a man must receive the consent of his

wife or wives and must provide equally for each. Infidelity is considered a crime

and is punished severely.

The Qur’an holds that women are equal to men but may have different

responsibilities. The separation of males and females as a way of life is

reinforced by the country's conservative interpretation of Islam. Men and women

have separate workplaces. Female doctors treat women and children; if they

treat men, the doctors are veiled. Women and men cannot socialize together in

public, and women must be accompanied by a male relative in public. A

religious police force ensures that people adhere strictly to Islamic laws and

dress codes in public. Women are not allowed to interact with men outside their

family and are forbidden to drive cars or ride bicycles. These laws also apply to

foreigners.

PORT OF ASHDOD

The Port of Ashdod, ( latitude 31º49’50” N and longitude 34º38’52” E)

located just 40 kilometers southwest of Tel Aviv, is Israel’s closest and largest

port and economic gateway, accounting for 60% of the country’s ocean-going

trade. The Port which is Israel’s most important commercial centers and

transportation networks houses several shipping companies and has been

upgraded to support Panamax ships. The major industry for Ashdod is an oil

refinery, one of two in the whole country. Other industries include

pharmaceuticals, construction, and soybean oil. It is also home to Israel’s

manufacturer of radar equipment and electronic warfare systems.

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The Port handled 16.2 million tons of cargo in 2007 and 808.7 thousand

TEUs of containerized cargo. It was in 2005 that the first fully-computerized

container port was opened at the Port of Ashdod. This modern deep-water port

includes an 1150-meter extension to its main breakwater and 1.7 thousand

meters of new quays with alongside depths up to 15.5 meters. A rail terminal

provides for greater access between the Port of Ashdod and nearby industrial

and commercial centers.

The Port of Ashdod’s surrounding area contains warehouses, a grain silo,

cold storage, container cleaning and repair services, an office complex having

one of the world’s most advanced terminal operating systems and automated

equipment and facilities. Furthermore, the Port has a goal of protecting the

environmental quality of the sea, the beaches, and the air.

Three piers in the southern part of the Port of Ashdod support bulk and

liquid cargoes with fully-computerized systems. Most of Israel’s mineral exports

to Europe and America pass through these piers. Operating 24 hours a day, the

Port’s bulk facility warehouses have capacity for about a million tons of cargoes,

and it includes acid tanks and a pool. The bulk facility has two piers for potash

and phosphates and four piers for handling acid.

The Port of Ashdod also serves cruise ships and tourists at a new modern

terminal. The Blue Marina is located near the city center in the midst of the

beaches. With berths for almost 550 vessels, the marina is attracting the

development of promenades, hotels, and restaurants at the waterfront.

CUSTOMS OF ISRAEL

Shalom, which means “Peace,” is the usual greeting and is also used

when parting. It may be followed by Ma Nishma? (“What’s up?”), Ma Inyanim?

(“What’s happening?”), or the more formal Ma Shlomcha? (“How are you?”).

When speaking to a woman, this last phrase is Ma Shlomech? First names are

almost always used when addressing another person, once the person has

been introduced. This is true even in the military and among schoolchildren, who

call their teachers by first name. Greetings are informal, and handshakes are

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common. Men who are good friends may pat each other on the back or shoulder

when greeting. Women might hug and kiss once or twice on the cheek. Respect

for elders is extremely important. Israelis might drop by unannounced for a short

visit or call ahead to arrange a meeting. Invitations to dinner, especially on

Friday evening or Saturday afternoon, are common. Invited guests usually take

a small gift. In addition to visiting in the home, Israelis enjoy meeting at cafés for

an evening of conversation or debate.

Family

Jewish weddings are important social events, often including a large

dinner party where singing and dancing last well into the night. During the

wedding ceremony, it is traditional for the man to break a glass by stepping on it.

This commemorates the destruction of the Second Temple of Israel in AD 70.

Today the bride sometimes joins the groom in smashing the glass. A ketubah is

the Jewish marriage contract which is signed by both bride and groom. Parents

are usually heavily involved in planning weddings and paying for the festivities.

There are no civil marriages in Israel. All weddings must be performed by a

religious authority. Rabbis perform Jewish ceremonies, a Khadi handles Muslim

weddings, and Christians go to their clergy. Divorce and other family issues are

dealt with by religious courts. Each religion has the right to adjudicate family

matters according to its own customs. However, Islamic law allows men to have

up to four wives, but the Israeli government only officially recognizes one.

Ties between Israeli parents and children remain very strong, even as children

become adults. Parents feel a deep responsibility to prepare and provide for a

child’s future. Married children expect to live near their parents or other relatives,

and they expect to care for their elderly parents. Families gather together on

holidays and for big celebrations.

The father is traditionally the head of the family, but women have

considerable influence in family affairs and decisions. Many women work

outside the home and account for about 47 percent of the labor force. The

majority of the people live in urban apartments or homes, but 7 to 8 percent live

either in a kibbutz or a moshav. In a kibbutz families share the land, work, food,

and facilities equally. Work is concentrated on agriculture and technology. A

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moshav is a small village of fewer than 100 families that cooperate in providing

for the needs of the community and in marketing the village’s products.

Cuisine

Israelis eat a wide variety of dishes adopted from many different

cultures. Orthodox Jews, as well as some Conservative and Reform Jews,

strictly adhere to “kosher” rules dictating that only animals that chew the cud and

have cloven hooves (for example, cows and sheep but not pigs) may be eaten;

slaughtering and preparation must be done in certain ways; only fish with scales

and fins, not shellfish, may be eaten; and milk products should not be cooked or

eaten with meat or poultry. Observant Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol.

Jewish families usually gather for the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon

meals. Conversation and a casual atmosphere accompany most meals.

PORT OF ADEN

The Port of Aden lies at latitude 12º47’44” N and longitude 44º59’36” E on the northern coast of the Gulf of Aden on the Little Aden peninsula that encloses western side of the Al-Tawahi Harbour in Yemen. The Port of Aden contains three sectors: the old commercial district, the business section, and the native harbor area. The economy of the Port of Aden depends on its function as a commercial center for the surrounding regions and as a refueling stop for ocean-going vessels. After the Suez Canal opened, the Port of Aden became one of the busiest ship-bunkering, duty-free shopping, and trading ports in the world.

The Yemen Ports Authority operates and manages the Port of Aden. The

Port of Aden is a cargo-handling, distribution, and transshipment center

dedicated to providing high-quality services to users of the port and supporting

the economic development of the city and the country. The Port of Aden is a

gateway for international trade for the country of Yemen.

In an important strategic location midway between Europe and the Far

East, the Port of Aden occupies a central position on the world's major trading

route through the Suez Canal. With one of the world's largest natural harbors,

the Port of Aden contains the Inner Harbor, the oil harbor, and the anchorage

and approach channels of the Outer Harbor.

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In 2008, the Port of Aden welcomed 2183 vessels carrying 15.2 million

tons of cargo, including 2.6 million tons of dry cargo and 12.4 million tons of

liquid cargo, including containerized cargoes. The major imported cargoes

included cement, wheat, steel, general cargo, sugar, timber, and rice. Major

exports included fish, salt, and cotton. The Port of Aden Container Terminal

welcomed 438 vessels carrying 432.5 TEUs, and Aden Port welcomed 552

vessels carrying 492.2 thousand TEUs.

CUSTOMS OF YEMEN

Socialization

Yemeni tribesmen are known by the jambiyya, or curved dagger, carried

in a scabbard on a wide belt at the front of the body. Men often wear one of

several types of skirts rather than pants, and a straw hat or headcloth. They also

may wear Western styles of clothing. The clothing of Yemeni women, which

includes robes, shawls, and veils, varies greatly from region to region; much of it

is colorful, striking, and imaginative.

Women in Yemen tend to live secluded from unrelated men, although this

is less true under the more relaxed conditions in the countryside and former

South Yemen generally. The most distinctive and important Yemeni social

institution is the “khat session,” a relaxed but ritualized afternoon gathering at

which men and women socialize separately and chew the mildly narcotic leaves

of the khat (qat) plant. Most men and many women chew khat at least twice a

week.

Cuisine

The Yemeni diet includes rice, bread, vegetables, fish, and lamb. A spicy

green stew called salta is one of Yemen’s most popular dishes. Housing in

Yemen varies from region to region. In the Tihāmah, near the Red Sea, people

live in African-style circular reed huts. Residents of the highlands, many of

whom are farmers, sometimes live in stone or mud-brick houses of multiple

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stories, often intricately decorated with alabaster or stained glass. City dwellers

also reside in houses of this type, or else in modern-style houses or flats.

Yemen’s relative isolation and traditionally weak economy have produced

a number of long-standing social problems. Because education was until

recently unavailable to the majority of Yemenis, the country has traditionally had

one of the lowest literacy rates in Asia. This is particularly true for women in

Yemen, who have not generally been encouraged to seek schooling. In addition,

health care in Yemen is notoriously underdeveloped. Polluted drinking water,

inadequate vaccination, and a shortage of medical personnel and facilities have

contributed to the quick spread of numerous diseases among Yemenis. These

conditions have also given Yemen a high infant mortality rate and a much lower

rate of life expectancy than in other countries of the Arabian Peninsula. Since

the late 20th century, Yemeni leaders have made greater efforts to provide

social welfare for the nation’s inhabitants; with the help of foreign aid, new

training and treatment facilities have opened, and new health-care programs are

in operation in some rural areas.

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MODULE 14

MAJOR PORTS OF EUROPE

PORT OF ROTTERDAM

The Port of Rotterdam is Europe's largest seaport in The Netherlands.

Located on the North Sea at latitude 51º55’38” N and longitude 4º17’54” E - the

busiest sea route in the world - this Dutch port serves a European hinterland of

about 380 million consumers. The Port is about 100 nautical miles directly east

of the Port of Felixstowe in England. Every year, the port handles over 300

million tonnes of goods.

The port of Rotterdam covers an area of 40 kilometres, from the center of

the city to the North Sea. The port and industrial area covers 10,500 hectares

(26,000 acres). Around 30,000 seagoing vessels and 130,000 inland vessels

arrive in the port every year. Rotterdam is the homeport and port of call for

around 500 shipping lines that maintain regular services to 1,000 ports. It is

Europe's most important port for oil & chemicals, containers, iron ore, coal, food

and metals.

In 2008, the Port of Rotterdam handled a total of over 421 million tons of

cargo, including almost 313 million tons of imports and over 108 million tons of

exports. Within this total was 288.9 million tons of bulk cargoes and 132.2

million tons of general cargoes. Bulk cargoes handled included 94.9 million tons

of dry bulk goods and 194 million tons of liquid bulk goods. Liquid bulk cargoes

included crude oil (100.4 million tons), mineral oil products (58.6 million tons),

and other liquid bulk (35 million tons). Dry bulk cargoes through the Port of

Rotterdam included ores and scrap (44 million tons), coal (28.6 million tons),

agribulk (10.4 million tons), and other dry bulk goods (12 million tons).

The Port of Rotterdam contains 122 jetties and 23 berths on buoys. It

maintains 29 tug boats and 6 pilot boats. The Port of Rotterdam has ample

cargo-handling equipment, including 162 multi-purpose cranes, 103 container

gantry cranes, 25 floating cranes, 22 ship-to-shore bulk cranes, 12 container

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cranes (rail terminals), and ten sheer leg cranes. The port has over 90 terminals

specializing in different types of cargoes. There are 35 terminals for liquid bulk

cargoes, 17 multi-purpose terminals, and 15 dry bulk terminals. The Port

contains nine container terminals for deep-sea, short-sea, and inland shipping. It

also has seven roll-on/roll-off terminals. It contains three juice terminals and two

fruit terminals. The Port also has one terminal each for steel and paper, cars,

and cruise vessels. The steel and paper terminal is an all-weather terminal.

The Port of Rotterdam can handle the largest ocean-going vessels 24

hours a day throughout the year. The Port can handle all imaginable types of

cargoes and is a vital link in the "supply chain" necessary to get products from

factories to consumers. Cargoes are handled by specialized companies that

work with chemicals, liquid and dry bulk, ores, refrigerated cargoes and food,

vehicles, general cargo, and containers. Wherever possible, companies are

clustered so that the Port of Rotterdam is really a collection of smaller

specialized ports. As Europe's main container port, it handles an average of

almost 10 million TEUs every year.

CUSTOMS OF THE NETHERLANDS

A firm handshake is the accepted way of greeting and parting from

acquaintances, even children, although it is quite usual for friends to kiss each

other on alternate cheeks—close male friends sometimes hug each other. A

common phrase is Hoe gaat het? ('How goes it?'). The use of first names, once

reserved for close friends and relatives, is now fairly widespread, particularly

among young people. In informal gatherings, many hosts indicate that it is

appropriate to begin eating by saying Eet smakelijk ('Eat deliciously'). It is

considered bad manners to rest one’s elbows on the table or to put one’s hands

on one’s lap, but it is perfectly acceptable to rest one’s forearms on the table.

Even children are expected to stay at the table until a meal is over. It is

considered inappropriate to eat with a fork only, and forks are not provided for

eating dessert, just a small spoon.

Bars are popular meeting places, but in general the Dutch do most of

their socializing in their own or in their friends’ homes. If a time to visit is stated,

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it is important to be punctual. If no time is stated for an evening visit to new

acquaintances, it is usual to arrive no earlier than 8:30 PM and to leave between

11 PM and midnight.

In the Protestant north, families tend to be small, with one or two

children. Families are often larger in the Catholic south. In urban and rural areas

alike, the gezin, or nuclear family, is considered more important than the

extended family. Same-sex partnerships have been legally recognized and are

given rights that heterosexual spouses enjoy, such as taxation benefits and

inheritance rights. Dutch women today often keep their own surnames after

marriage, and they are entering the job market at a heightened pace. 40.4

percent.

Soccer and cycling are the most popular sports. Almost everyone in The

Netherlands cycles; there are numerous cycle clubs and bike paths (Fietspaden)

throughout the country, and many people use bicycles as a means of

transportation. Many people play korfbal, which is almost identical to English

netball and not dissimilar from basketball. In Friesland, some people play

kaatsen, a team sport similar to baseball (a small, soft ball is hit with the hand).

In the north, pole-vaulting (for distance, not height) is popular.

PORT OF ANTWERP

The Port of Antwerp lies at latitude 51º17’52” N and longitude 4º17’59” E

on the banks of the River Schelde about 88 kilometers from the North Sea in

Belgium. The Port of Antwerp is one of the world's busiest seaports and home to

the second largest petrochemical industrial complex in the world, next to

Houston, Texas. The Port is also one of the world's most important centers for

the diamond trade.

Being the second busiest port in Europe, it offers storage and handling

capacity that is unsurpassed for all types of products, no matter how specialized

the services they require. With confidence in its superior facilities, services, and

environmental strengths, the Port plans to achieve an annual freight volume of

300 million tons in the coming years.

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In 2008, the Port of Antwerp handled a total of 189.4 million tons of cargo,

including 122.7 million tons of general cargo and 66.7 million tons of bulk cargo.

This included 101.4 million tons of containerized cargo in 8.7 million TEUs and

4.4 million tons of roll-on/roll-off cargoes. Of the total volume, 105 million tons

were imports (unloaded), and 5.6 million tons were exports (loaded). General

cargoes included 10.5 million tons of iron and steel, 2.4 million tons of paper and

cellulose, and 1.4 million tons of fruit as well as smaller volumes of granite, flour,

wood, fertilizers and chemicals, and sugar. Bulk cargoes were dominated by

petroleum derivatives (almost 25 million tons), coal (9.9 million tons), ores (7.1

million tons), chemicals (9.4 million tons) as well as smaller volumes of

petroleum, fertilizers, sand and gravel, and cereals.

As Europe's second-largest port, the Port of Antwerp enjoys an ever-

increasing market share in North and West Europe. It is home to Europe's

biggest and most diverse petrochemical center. Seven of the world's ten biggest

chemical companies have production sites here that produce more chemical

substances than anywhere else in the world, and the efforts of these companies

are integrated to the Antwerp Integrated Model. The base of the complex is five

refineries that have a combined distillation capacity for over 40 million tons a

year.

CUSTOMS OF BELGIUM

Socializing

Belgians greet each other with a handshake. The phrases used for

greeting depend on the region. The most typical Dutch greetings are Hallo

(“Hello”) and a more formal Goedendag (“Good day”). The French equivalents

are Salut (“Hello”) and Bonjour (“Good day”). English greetings would not be out

of place in Brussels and some other cities. Close friends may greet each other

with three light kisses on the cheek, although it is more like kissing the air while

touching cheeks. Only friends and relatives are greeted by first names;

otherwise, last names are used, preceded by a title of courtesy such as Mr. or

Mrs. When leaving a small group, Belgians usually shake hands with and bid

farewell to everyone individually.

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Belgians enjoy inviting relatives and close friends to their homes, but

other socializing is usually done in public places such as cafés, bistros, and

restaurants. It is rare for Belgians to visit one another without prior arrangement

or at least calling ahead. Invited guests always bring a small gift to their hosts.

Punctuality is important.

Family

The average Belgian family has two children. Both parents often work

outside the home. At home, they may share some household duties, but women

are still generally considered responsible for many of them and for child care.

Married children in Flanders seldom live with their parents, except in rural areas

where families share farmland. In the past, extended families in Wallonia shared

a large single house, but today they tend to live separately. Still, they often

remain in the same town or city as the rest of their family.

Cuisine

Belgians eat a rich variety of foods, including pork, beef, game birds, fish,

seafood, cheese, fruit, vegetables, bread, and soup. Wine, beer, or mineral

water is often served with meals. Belgium is famous for seafood (such as

mussels), chocolate, some 300 varieties of beer, waffles, and frites (fried

potatoes)—which Belgians claim to have invented and which are sometimes

served with mayonnaise. Breakfast consists of a hot drink along with rolls or

bread with jam or other preserves. At midday, a larger meal is eaten. The

evening meal is usually at 7 or 8 PM. Belgians take great pride in the quality of

their food and the variety of cuisine—from domestically developed dishes to

those adapted from other cultures. Restaurants offer a wide variety of

international dishes.

Mealtimes in Belgium are leisurely occasions to enjoy good food and

good conversation. Most Belgians eat with the knife in the right hand and the

fork in the left. It is considered wasteful but not impolite to leave food on the

plate.

Recreation

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Cycling and football (soccer) are the most popular sports, and many

people enjoy watching basketball, volleyball, tennis, and car racing. Hunting (a

controversial pursuit) and fishing, as well as pigeon racing, have a large

following in some areas. In pigeon racing, male pigeons are released far away

from the females, and owners bet on which will be the quickest to fly back to his

mate. Families enjoy going to restaurants, the theater, and the cinema. Belgians

also enjoy outings to the beach or to the forest of the Ardennes in the south.

Local and national festivals such as Carnival are recreational highlights of the

year.

PORT OF BARCELONA

The Port of Barcelona lies at latitude 41º21’17” N and longitude 2º10’12”

E on Spain's Mediterranean coast between the rivers Llobregat and Besos

about 150 kilometers south of the country's border with France. It is the biggest

seaport in Spain as well as an important cultural, educational, commercial, and

industrial center. It is home to manufacturers of textiles, pharmaceuticals,

chemicals, electronics, and motors. Important industries include printing,

publishing, logistics, information technology, and telecommunications. It is a

center for industrial design, hosting many international trade shows each year.

In 2008, the Port of Barcelona welcomed over 9.5 thousand vessels and

handled almost 50.6 million tons of cargo, 2.6 million TEUs of containerized

cargo (carrying 25.1 million tons), 716.3 thousand automobiles, and more than

3.2 million passengers (including 2.1 million cruise passengers). Total cargo

included almost 42.5 million tons of foreign cargo and 8.1 million tons of

domestic cargo. Incoming throughput accounted for nearly 30.8 million tons, and

outgoing throughput accounted for 19.8 million tons. In addition to containerized

cargoes, the Port of Barcelona handled 34.9 million tons of general cargo,

almost 10 million tons of hydrocarbons, 9.8 million tons of non-containerized

cargo, 3.5 million tons of dry bulk, and 2.1 million tons of liquid bulk.

Passenger traffic through the port in 2008 included 1.2 million passengers

traveling in 3257 regular line ferry calls (including 724 thousand domestic

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passengers and 396 thousand European Union passengers). The total of 892

pleasure cruise calls accounted for almost 2.1 million passengers.

The Port contains two international container terminals with over 3000

meters of berthing positions and depths up to 16 meters that can accommodate

super-post-Panamax vessels. It has two Ferry Terminals with daily services to

and from Mallorca, Minorca, and Eivissa. The Ferry Terminal of Barcelona also

serves routes with Rome, Sardinia, Genoa, and Tangiers. The Terminal Port

Nou also serves routes with Tunis and Algiers.

The Barcelona Fruit Terminal is Spain's main fruit-receiving port. With

nine thousand square meters of controlled-temperature warehousing, the Port of

Barcelona's Fruit Terminal receives cargoes from Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Costa

Rica, South Africa, China, and the United States. The Port of Barcelona is also

Spain's main coffee distribution center and a strategic port for the distribution of

coffee throughout the Mediterranean.

PORT OF VALENCIA

The Port of Valencia is located at latitude 39º26’39” N and longitude

0º19’10” W on the Mediterranean coast in Eastern Spain at the mouth of the

Turia River. It is the biggest port on the Western Mediterranean coast; the first

port in Spain for container traffic and the second in total traffic. The major

exports moving through the Port of Valencia are foods, ceramic tiles, textiles,

furniture, fans, and iron products.

Valenciaport covers 80 kilometers on the Mediterranean shore. Annually

almost 35 million tons of cargo passed through the port and welcoming 69 port

calls and 58,220 cruise passengers. The port covers an area of about 600

hectares and contains more than 12 thousand meters of quay, with four

thousand meters with alongside depth of 14 meters or more. It is equipped with

modern facilities and equipment to handle the large volumes of traffic.

Valenciaport offers specialized facilities for all kinds of cargo. It has over

four thousand meters of berthing space with depths of at least 14 meters to

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handle the largest containers and general cargo. It also has more than three

thousand meters of berthing space at depths between 9 and 16 meters and

storage capacity for more than 300 thousand cubic meters of solid and liquid

bulk cargoes. It has 30 gantry cranes for handling containerized and non-

containerized goods and about 300 hectares of tank area. These facilities are

complemented with a sophisticated network of road and rail links to the area’s

main production centers and to the rest of Spain and Europe and to the local

international airport.

The Port of Valencia’s combined passenger, cruise, and roll-on/roll-off

terminals have 916 meters of berthing line with alongside depths from seven to

11 meters. The roll-on/roll-off terminals offer 577 meters of berthing line with

alongside depths from 16 to 17 meters. Liquid bulk terminals’ berthing lines are

435 meters long with alongside depth of 12 meters.

SPANISH CUSTOMS

Socializing

Spanish greetings include ¡Hola! (“Hello”), ¡Buenos días! (“Good

morning”), and ¡Buenas tardes! (“Good afternoon”). When being introduced to

someone, a Spaniard might say Encantado de conocerle (“Delighted to meet

you”). ¿Cómo está Usted? (“How are you?”) can be answered with Bien, gracias

(“Well, thank you”).

A handshake usually accompanies a greeting. Male friends often add a

pat on the back and, if they have not seen each other for some time, an abrazo

(hug). Female friends often kiss each other on both cheeks when greeting or

parting. The use of first names is not widespread, and it is still fairly common in

business or when addressing older people to use Señor (“Mr.”), Señora (“Mrs.”),

or Señorita (“Miss”). In some areas, the titles Don and Doña are used with the

first name to show particular respect.

The Spanish often meet their friends in cafés or entertain in restaurants

rather than in their own homes. In general, people call ahead before visiting, but

the Spanish are considerate hosts and anyone who drops in unannounced

during a meal is likely to be asked to join the others at the table. The invitation is

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usually out of courtesy, and is refused with a ¡Que aproveche! (“Enjoy your

meal”). When invited to someone’s home for dinner, guests often bring a gift to

enjoy during the meal, such as wine or dessert.

Family

Spanish families tend to be small—the country has one of the lowest

population growth rates in the world. Links with the extended family remain

close. The husband is traditionally considered the head of the household, and

the wife is responsible for caring for the house and children. Today, however,

many women living in urban areas work outside the home.

Many people still seek parental approval before marrying, and long

engagements are common while couples save enough money to start married

life in their own home. The average age for men to marry is 27, while women

generally marry between the ages of 20 and 24. The divorce rate is low.

Cuisine

Traditional Spanish dishes include gazpacho (a cold soup of onions,

peppers, tomatoes, and garlic); paella (rice, saffron, chicken, seafood, and a

variety of other items cooked and served in a large, shallow pan); calamares en

su tinta (squid cooked in its ink and served on a bed of rice); and cocido

(Castilian stew). Tapas (snacks), served in many bars, can be as simple as

olives or chunks of cheese, or as elaborate as meatballs in a spicy sauce. There

is a rich variety of regional dishes and local specialties.

Breakfast is generally a light meal of coffee or hot chocolate, bread and

jam, or churros (pieces of dough made of flour and butter, deep-fried and

sprinkled with sugar). For their midday and evening meals Spaniards enjoy a

wide range of meat and fish, salad and fruit, and cheese. Adults usually drink

wine with their meals, and children drink mineral water or soft drinks. There is

usually plenty of bread. Spain is also a leading producer of both high-quality and

table wines, and it is the home of sherry.

Traditionally, the main meal of the day is eaten at around 2 PM and the

evening meal at 9 or 10 PM. Many people have a merienda (afternoon snack),

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often a bocadillo (sandwich) with a hot drink, at around 5 or 6 PM. At a formal

dinner, the hosts indicate the seating arrangements, and women and older

people are seated first. Hands (not elbows) are kept above the table and not

placed in the lap during the meal. Upon finishing a meal, the knife and fork are

laid side by side on the plate.

Recreation

The main spectator sport is soccer, which is followed passionately.

Spaniards also enjoy golf, basketball, tennis and, in certain regions, hunting,

skiing, and fishing. Bullfights still draw crowds. The bullfight, so important a part

of Spanish tradition, has been called a fiesta brava. It is far more than a mere

spectator sport; fans applaud not only the bravery of the toreros but their

dexterity and artistry as well.

Television and cinema are popular. Theater, music, dance, and opera are

well supported in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. The Spanish are also

proud of their museums and art galleries, which contain works by Spanish artists

such as Goya, Picasso, and Velázquez—the Prado Museum in Madrid is one of

the world’s great museums. Cafés and bars are the main centers for socializing

outside the home.

PORT OF FELIXSTOWE

Felixstowe Port, located at latitude 51º55’38” N and longitude 4º17’54” E

in the Suffolk Coastal district on England's eastern shores, is the United

Kingdom's busiest container port. The main navigation channel to Felixstowe

Port is dredged to 14.5 meters, and it has a maximum depth along the quay of

15 meters. The Port can accommodate the world's latest deep-draft post-

Panamax container vessels. It offers more than 2.3 kilometers of continuous

quay and 25 ship-to-shore gantry cranes.

Felixstowe Port handles some 35% of the United Kingdom's container

traffic. In 2008, it was ranked as Europe's sixth busiest container port, and as

the 28th busiest in the world. The Port handles a total of 3.3 million TEUs of

containerized cargo annually with two major container terminals, Trinity and

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Landguard, and a roll-on/roll-off terminal. The Trinity Container Terminal is the

biggest container-handling facility in the UK. Each terminal has its own railway

terminal with direct connections to the single-track line to Ipswich which has

recently been upgraded to handle larger containers.

With the construction of the Felixstowe Focus South the first phase of the

new port comes on line in 2010. When finished, Felixstowe Focus South will be

United Kingdom's first new deep-water container port. that will increase total

quay by almost 900 meters, giving a total quay of over 1.2 thousand meter.

Together with Felixstowe Port's Trinity Terminal, the port will offer more than

four kilometers of deep-water container facilities. By the time the project is

completed, the Port will have 750 meters of additional sea wall, contain 1285

meters of quay with alongside depth of 16 meters to accommodate the latest

container vessels. Its approach channel will be 14.5 meters deep. Felixstowe

Port will be equipped with 13 ship-to-shore gantry cranes and 50 RTGs. It will

include storage yard capacity for 52.5 thousand TEUs at the New North Rail

Terminal near Trinity Terminal.

PORT OF SOUTHAMPTON

The Port of Southampton at latitude 50º54’9” N and longitude 1º25’44” N

is located to the immediate north of the Isle of Wight on a peninsula between the

Itchen and Test River estuaries in south central England. The Port of

Southampton has been a shipping center since its beginnings and one of its

major employers is the headquarters offices of Ordnance Survey, the United

Kingdom's national mapping agency. Today, the port's older industries of

shipbuilding and repair, tobacco processing, and grain milling were joined by

new manufacturing (automobiles, aircraft, petrochemicals, cables, and electrical

engineering products).

The Port of Southampton is one of the busiest ports in the United

Kingdom, and it is a mainstay of the region's economy. Handling more than 42

million tons of cargo per year, the Port of Southampton is the UK's principal

gateway for imports from the Far East. Its natural deep-water harbor and double

tide give the port capacity to handle the world's largest ocean-going vessels.

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The Port is equipped to handle all types of cargo. It is a major center for

shipments of automobiles and the second busiest container port in the country.

The Port of Southampton is the main cruise industry port in the country. Today,

the Port of Southampton is the main car-handling port, and it contains England's

second biggest container terminal. The container facility accounts for almost half

of United Kingdom-Far East trade. Cargoes moving through the port include

minerals, animal feeds, agribulk, sand aggregates, and marble chips. It is the

only British port importing Canary Islands produce.

As the premier cruise port in the United Kingdom, it is home to the fleets

of P&O Cruises and the Cunard Line. Other cruise lines used the port on a

regular basis: Royal Caribbean International, Saga Holidays, and Fred Olsen

Cruise Line. Passenger traffic has more than doubled over the last decade, and

the Port is refurbishing its two passenger terminals to accommodate that growth

and creating the new City Cruise Terminal and a fourth cruise terminal. The Port

of Southampton Cruise Port is the UK's outstanding port for cruise vessels.

ENGLISH CUSTOMS

Socializing

The English often say “How do you do?” or “Pleased to meet you” when

meeting for the first time. People usually shake hands when first introduced or

when greeting and parting in business and other formal situations. Otherwise

many English people will simply say “Hello” when they see each other. Among

friends, women are often kissed (by men and women) lightly on one cheek.

The use of first names is widespread; titles such as “Mr.” and “Mrs.” are

being used less frequently, even when children address adults. It is customary

to respect people’s privacy by telephoning before visiting. When invited to a

meal by friends, guests often bring a bottle of wine or another small gift.

Family

English families are small (one or two children are the norm). Women are

having fewer children and are waiting longer to have them. In the past three

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decades, a substantial number of women have begun working outside the

home. The divorce rate has risen, as has the number of single-parent families.

Marriage is legal at age 16 but usually takes place when people are in

their mid- to late 20s. Fewer people are getting married than in the past and

those who do are marrying later. It has become increasingly popular in recent

years for couples to live together before or instead of marriage.

Since the early 1980s, the division between rich and poor has grown, but

the middle class remains the largest section of society. Home ownership is high

—about two-thirds of the people own their own houses or flats (apartments).

Cuisine

English diet has become more diverse; the English now eat a wide variety

of European and Asian foods. Many traditional foods such as beef and potatoes

have given way to poultry and pasta dishes. Fast food has also become more

available, and hamburger restaurants now rival the traditional fish-and-chip

shops in popularity. Numerous Chinese and Indian restaurants and pizza

houses provide take-away service, and many pubs (public houses) serve

anything from snacks to full meals as well as alcoholic beverages. Traditional

English dishes include roast beef and yorkshire pudding (a baked batter usually

served in muffin-sized portions) and steak and kidney pie.

The English generally eat three meals a day. A traditional English

breakfast consists of any or all of the following: bacon, sausages, grilled or fried

tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs, or toast. Kippers (smoked herring) or black

pudding (blood pudding) may also appear on the menu. However, fewer people

now eat a cooked breakfast on a regular basis, preferring various combinations

of cereal, toast, juice or fruit, and tea or coffee. The midday meal is usually

referred to as lunch and the evening meal as dinner or, when it is less formal, as

supper. Working-class people tend to call the midday meal dinner and the meal

they have in the early evening “tea.” The tradition of afternoon tea, when tea,

biscuits, and cakes are enjoyed at about 4 PM, has declined. Similarly, many

people no longer have more than a light lunch or snack in the middle of the day.

Recreation

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Wintertime national sports are football (soccer) and Rugby Union. Rugby

League, which is played mainly in the north, switched from a winter to a summer

season in 1996. One of the most popular spectator sports is horseracing (over

jumps in the winter and on a flat track in the summer). The traditional summer

sport is cricket. Modern lawn tennis was first played in England, and the rules of

modern boxing came from the country as well. The English are avid walkers and

also enjoy golf and fishing. Gardening is a favorite way to relax and represents a

huge industry (gardening books can become best-sellers). Other sports with

enthusiastic participants are sailing, rowing, squash, snooker, and darts.

The pub remains a popular place to socialize with friends. Relaxing in the

home, however, is still more popular. With the exception of U.S. citizens, the

British watch more television than anyone else in the world and claim that one

reason for this is the high quality of British programming. Videos are also

popular, but many people equally enjoy seeing films at the cinema. All types of

music and theater are well supported. The country is also rich in art galleries

and museums.

PORT OF LISBON

The Port of Lisbon, Portugal’s main seaport, lies at latitude 38º41’57” N

and longitude 9º9’32” W on the banks of the Tagus River near its mouth to the

Atlantic Ocean. The Port of Lisbon is an important center for government,

commerce, education, manufacturing, and tourism, and has one of the most

beautiful and busiest natural harbors in the world. Today, the Port of Lisbon is

Portugal’s wealthiest region, and it is well above the European Union’s average

per capital GDP.

In 2007-2008 shipping year, 3447 vessels called at the Port of Lisbon

carrying 13.2 million tons of cargo and 374.5 thousand TEUs of containerized

cargo. Of that total, 5.7 million tons was containers, 5.6 million tons was solid

bulk, and 1.3 million tons was liquid bulk. The Port of Lisbon also handled 489.4

thousand tons of break bulk general cargo and 4.9 thousand tons of roll-on/roll-

off cargo. It also welcomed 256 cruise vessels and 305.2 thousand passengers.

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The Port of Lisbon offers a 15.5-meter deep channel and more than 1500

meters of quays with alongside depths from 8 to 10 meters. It is the nation’s

leading port in terms of the number of ships and tons that visit each year, and it

handles more containerized cargo and agricultural foodstuffs than any other port

in Portugal. More than a cargo-handling commercial port, it is a favorite

destination for cruise and cruise passengers.

Located strategically on the world’s major ocean-borne trade routes, the

Port of Lisbon plays a central role in linking the Mediterranean region with North

and Central Europe. It also facilitates commerce between the world’s major

continents – the Far East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The Port offers

three passenger terminals with the latest safety equipment and a wide range of

services. Recreational boating is also an important port of the Port of Lisbon’s

charm managing four recreational docks with capacity for more than 1100 boats

and services to support yachtsmen.

PORTUGUESE CUSTOMS

Socializing

Common terms for greeting include Born dia (“Good day”) and Boa noite

(“Good evening”). A warm, firm handshake is an appropriate greeting between

men. People often greet those of the opposite sex with a kiss on each cheek;

women greet one another this way, as well. When visiting someone’s home, it is

normal to wait outside the door until invited in; similarly, guests do not let

themselves out but wait for the host to open the door.

Children are expected to kiss adults in their extended family when

greeting them. Touching is a common part of greeting because it shows

friendship. First names are used for friends, the young, and children; otherwise,

a title is used with a surname to address an adult. Sometimes the title is

combined with the first name, rather than the last; it depends on personal

preference and the relationship between the speakers.

Much socializing takes place in the home, but it is common for business

associates to meet at a restaurant, and people enjoy meeting informally at

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cafés. Many people in urban areas retain strong ties with their home towns or

regions, and try to return as often as possible to visit relatives and friends

Family

The Portuguese family, which averages two children, maintains close ties

with aunts, uncles, and cousins, even those who have gone abroad to work.

Women often work outside the home in urban areas.

Engagements are usually lengthy while the couple saves money for a

home. Marriage ceremonies generally follow the Roman Catholic tradition. It is

uncommon for young people to live together before getting married.

Cuisine

The staple foods in Portugal include fish, vegetables, and fruits. One of

the national dishes is bacalhau, which is dried cod usually served with potatoes

and green vegetables, and sometimes chickpeas. Bacalhau can be prepared in

a variety of ways. It is sometimes deep-fried with potatoes, which are called

pasteis.

The traditional Portuguese salad includes dark-green lettuce, tomatoes,

onions, vinegar, olive oil, and salt. Chicken is eaten throughout the country in

many forms, such as frango na púcara (chicken cooked in a pot), or cabidela,

which is chicken with rice cooked with the chicken blood. Pork, partridge, quail,

and rabbit are other common meats. A popular dish is cozido á portuguesa,

which contains potatoes and many other vegetables, rice, and various meats.

Olive oil and garlic are used a great deal in cooking. Fruit is often eaten as

dessert, and cheese is frequently part of a meal. There are many pastry shops,

and pastries are also sold in coffee and tea shops. Wine is inexpensive and is

served at most meals.

Mealtimes are considered important occasions for conversation.

Portuguese eat with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right; a special

knife and fork are often used when eating fish. It is important to keep one’s

hands above the table at all times, and it is impolite to stretch at the table as it

implies that one is bored. Except for ice-cream cones, it is generally considered

improper for adults to eat food while walking in public.

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A small breakfast is eaten around 8 AM, lunch is at about 1 PM, and the

evening meal is generally between 8 and 9 PM. Bica, a strong espresso-type

coffee, is often served after the meal. In some areas of the north, bica is called

cimbalino.

Recreation

Soccer is the most popular sport. Roller skating, roller hockey, basketball,

and handball are also enjoyed. There are considerable opportunities for water

sports. The south also has a number of golf courses and leisure complexes

offering tennis and other sports

Portuguese families enjoy taking walks, going to the park or the beach,

and picnicking. People often take short trips or visit relatives. Sitting outdoors or

at a street café is popular. Going to the cinema, nightclubs, or discos is common

in urban and tourist areas. A popular type of theater is the revista (revue), which

satirizes the government, international topics, or social issues.. Most foreign

tourists go to the Algarve and a few resorts in the Lisbon area, but there are

many other resorts further north that are popular among the Portuguese. As in

Spain, bullfights continue to draw crowds. However, in Portugal, the bull is not

killed but is tackled by an unarmed forcado assisted by others who distract the

bull and hold on to its tail.

PORT OF HAMBURG

The Port of Hamburg lies at latitude 53º31’29” N and longitude 9º57’48” E

on the shores of the Elbe River in Germany about 83 kilometers from the North

Sea. The Port of Hamburg, with the official name "The Free and Hanseatic City

of Hamburg," is Germany's second biggest port and commercial center.

Ranking second in Germany after Rotterdam, it is Europe's ninth busiest

international port.

In 2007, the Port handled a total of 140.4 million tons of cargo with 98.7

million tons of general cargo, 95.8 million tons of containerized cargo in 9.9

thousand TEUs as well as 41.7 million tons of bulk, 21.7 million tons of grabber,

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14.7 million tons of liquid, and 5.2 million tons of suction cargo. Over 12.2

thousand vessels called at the Port, including 7.5 thousand container vessels,

1.8 thousand bulk carriers, 1.5 thousand liquid bulk vessels, 933 general cargo

vessels, and 205 passenger vessels.

The Port of Hamburg contains over 320 berths and 41 kilometers of quays

for ocean-going vessels as well as 200 container bridges that are partly

controlled by computers. Even though it is some 100 kilometers from the North

Sea, the Port is accessible to the largest ships, including bulk carriers of over

300 thousand DWT and the world's biggest container ships. Its local shipyards

offer technical and engineering expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and long

experience that make the port highly competitive. New ship-building and repair

facilities demonstrate the continuing demand for these services, and the

shipyards are complemented by a diverse range of services, maritime suppliers,

ships' chandlers, and repair workshops for ocean-going vessels.

The Port of Hamburg contains a total of 7.4 million square meters of hard-

surface terminal areas. Covered storage areas include over 2.8 million square

meters in the Free Port, 350 thousand square meters in inland customs territory,

and 150 thousand square meters of air-conditioned covered storage. The port

has 17 roll-on/roll-off terminals for stern- or side-ramp ships and ample

equipment to handle these cargoes. It has silo and storage capacity for about

700 thousand tons of cereals, oil seed, fodder, and other agricultural products

and about 700 thousand square meters of storage areas for ores, coal,

fertilizers, and other dry bulk cargoes. The port also has tank storage capacity

for about 2.2 million cubic meters liquid cargoes and about 3.6 million cubic

meters of refined liquid products. The Port has capacity to handle at least 2500

TEUs in a 24-hour period, making it possible for the biggest container ships to

leave the port in less than a day.

The Port of Hamburg Cruise Center has welcomed an increasing volume

of cruise calls and passenger visits, with 88 cruise calls and 146 thousand

passengers in 2009. The Port of Hamburg is a key cruise destination for

Northern Europe.

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GERMAN CUSTOMS

Socializing

A firm handshake is the most common form of greeting. Greetings vary by

region, but the most common phrase is Guten Tag! (“Good Day!”). A simple

Hallo (“Hello”) is also common. Many people in southern Germany use Grüß

Gott! (literally “May God greet you!”) as a greeting.

By tradition, only family members and close friends address each other by

their first names. Germans are much more formal in this respect than many

other western nationalities, although younger people increasingly use more

informal forms of address.

In formal greetings, Germans use surnames and titles, such as Herr

(“Mr.”), Frau (“Mrs.”), and Fräulein (“Miss”). In the most formal situations, these

titles might be combined with a person’s professional title, sometimes without

the surname. For example, a male professor with a doctoral degree might be

addressed as Herr Professor Doktor; a female head of department in business

or government could be addressed as Frau Direktorin. Fräulein is used much

less frequently than in the past and is not usually used by members of the

younger generations.

Germans rarely call on people unannounced. Punctuality is important,

although it is acceptable to arrive up to a quarter of an hour after the stated time

for the invitation. When invited to dinner it is common to bring flowers or another

gift for the hosts. Dinner parties often last well into the night, but daytime visits

are usually short, except when one has been invited for Kaffeetrinken, when

coffee or tea and sweets are served in the mid- to late afternoon. When

socializing outside the home, wine taverns and beer gardens are popular in

warm weather. In cold weather, many people socialize in bars and cafés.

Family

The average German family has only one or two children, and children in

urban areas tend to live away from home once they become wage earners or go

on to university studies. In rural areas, households comprised of extended

families are more common. Both parents often work, especially in the east. The

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traditional family values of order, respect, responsibility, and achievement are

still important, but there is much less rigidity in family life, and a wide variety of

lifestyles exist today, especially in the west

Couples usually marry in their late 20s or early 30s, often waiting until

they have some financial security. It is common for young people to live together

before or instead of marriage. Legal marriages are performed at city hall, and

religious ceremonies are optional.

Cuisine

German food traditionally includes substantial portions of meat and

potatoes or, to a lesser extent, noodles. Pork is a popular meat, along with beef

and, to a lesser extent, chicken. Pork is prepared in a variety of ways, often

according to region: it may be roasted with dumplings in Munich, for example, or

served as a ham in parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. Lamb is more of a delicacy

but is widely available in the north. Fish is popular in North Sea areas such as

Hamburg, as well as in the south, in Bavaria (Bavaria), where trout are plentiful.

Every region has its own type of Wurst (sausage). Cakes and pastries are also

eaten.

Breakfast is usually light, with rolls and cheese, cold cuts, or jam

accompanied by coffee or another hot drink. Traditionally, the main meal has

been at midday, but an increasing number of people now have it in the evening

and have only a snack or a light lunch. A typical meal is three courses: soup, a

main dish, and dessert. A typical light supper is Abendbrot, an open sandwich

with sliced meat, cheese, a spread, and salad. Germans tend to shop frequently

for groceries, preferring to use fresh ingredients when cooking. Ethnic and fast

foods are popular. In the west, at least, there are numerous Italian, Greek, and

Chinese restaurants, and many of the top restaurants serve French nouvelle

cuisine.

The Germans are known for their beer making and beer drinking. They

also enjoy wines, particularly domestic white wines. There are numerous small

winemaking businesses in Germany that produce wine solely for the domestic

market. Soft drinks are increasingly popular among the youth. Most people

prefer to drink bottled mineral water rather than tap water.

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Recreation

Soccer is the most popular sport, and millions of people belong to soccer

clubs. Recreational clubs and associations play a big role in local social life; they

exist for every kind of hobby. Young people are more likely to participate in team

sports through local clubs than through schools.

Germans enjoy a relatively high amount of leisure time, which they fill with

activities such as walking, skiing, swimming, running, cycling, touring in cars, or

playing tennis. In urban areas, it is not unusual for people to own or rent small

garden plots in or near the city. Germans' love of the outdoors translates into a

strong environmental consciousness.

Throughout Germany, clubs sponsor Volksmärsche, walks of 10

kilometers (6.2 miles) or more along a specified route. These events are

especially popular in the southern part of the country. Sometimes the locations

of the walks are not announced until the morning they take place, which adds

suspense. Then participants tune in to the radio to find out where the walk will

begin. Participants buy a card, which is stamped at control stations along the

way. Volksmärsche can be festive occasions. Once the walk is over, walkers

and nonwalkers alike socialize over cakes, pies, wursts, and other refreshments.

Walkers receive prizes for the cumulative distances they cover and for the

number of events they attend.

Of the performing arts, music is the Germans' first love, followed by the

theater. Generous state and city subsidies mean that even small cities support

their own opera company, orchestra, and sometimes even a ballet, and many

small towns have a theater or music group. These are all well supported, and in

summer there are music and arts festivals throughout the country.

Germans in the west have long relished travel, something those in the east are

also beginning to enjoy. People also enjoy watching television or visiting friends.

PORT OF MARSEILLE

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The Port of Marseille is one of the busiest ports on the Mediterranean

Sea. It lies at latitude 43º19’46” N and longitude 5º20’45” E to the west of the

French Riviera on the Gulf of Lion about 135 kilometers west of Cannes. The

Port of Marseille is capital of France's fast-growing Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur

region and an important commercial center. The Port is France's busiest oil

port and home to manufacturers producing chemicals, building materials, glass,

soap, plastics, textiles, olive oil, sugar, and processed foods.

The Port of Marseille-Fos is the only port in southern Europe that offers

tri-modal transport via rivers, rail, and road. Daily rail connections and modern

highway networks link the Port of Marseille-Fos to all major European cities. In

2007, the Mourepaine terminal handled 2.2 million tons of cargo in 149

thousand TEUs. Terminals in the Port of Marseille-Fos handle all types of

cargoes. The terminal contains almost 1.2 thousand meters of quay with five

stations with maximum allowable draft of 14.5 meters. The terminal includes

surface storage of 56 hectares, including installations for refrigerated containers,

and a service zone of five hectares.

The Port of Marseille is a popular destination for cruise passengers, and

over 20 major cruise lines visit the city each year. In 2006, 380 thousand

passengers travelled through the Port of Marseille on 51 cruise stopovers. With

six cruise terminals, it can handle a capacity for about 200 thousand

passengers.

PORT OF LE HAVRE

The Port of Le Havre lies at latitude 49º28’1” N and longitude 0º10’40” E

on the right bank of the Seine estuary as it enters the English Channel. It is

France's second port after Marseille, which supports a large industrial zone that

contains oil-refining, chemical, petrochemical, cement, automotive, and

aeronautical industries.

The 21st Century brings a new era of development to the Port of Le Havre

with new gantry cranes with heavy-lift capacity, harbor cranes, and railway

gantries had been acquired. The Carrier Center, covering 70 hectares, offered

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five new stations for sea traffic, two new stations for river barges, and a railway

building.

In 2006, the Port of Le Havre handled more than 74.4 million tons of

cargo, including 54.3 million tons of imports, 19.5 million tons of exports, and

630 thousand tons of cabotage. The largest single cargo category was crude oil

(over 34.2 million tons). The Port of Le Havre also handled some 22.6 million

tons of general cargo, 21.1 million tons of which was containerized. The Port of

Le Havre handled 11.4 million tons of refined products. Other major cargo

groups included coal (2.9 million tons), liquid bulk (1.4 million tons), and solid

bulk (1.3 million tons).

The Port of Le Havre covers more than ten thousand hectares and

includes zones dedicated to sea traffic and to industry-related port activities. The

Port of Le Havre includes more than two thousand hectares of environmentally-

protected lands within the nature reserve of the Seine Estuary. As an important

port for France's imports of crude oil, the Port of Le Havre delivers oil by pipeline

to the large refineries in the Seine Valley and the Paris area. The Port of Le

Havre's oil terminals can accommodate coasters and tankers up to 550

thousand DWT.

The Port of Le Havre is also a favorite calling point for trans-Atlantic liners

traveling between Europe and New York in the United States. Proud of its status

as the birthplace of Impressionism, the Port is becoming an increasingly popular

tourist destination with its cruise passenger facilities located in the tidal dock at

the port entrance just a few steps from the city center.

FRENCH CUSTOMS

Socializing

The standard phrases for greeting include Bonjour (“Good day”) and

Comment allez-vous? or the more informal Ça va? (both meaning “How are

you?”). Greetings are usually combined with the person’s name or a title, and

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usually precede any conversation or request. Good-bye is Au revoir (“Until we

meet again”) or the less formal À bientôt (“See you soon”).

Shaking hands upon greeting and parting is customary in France. The

handshake should be firm, but an aggressive handshake is considered impolite.

Among friends and relatives, women are kissed (by men and women) up to

three times on both cheeks—in truth they often touch cheeks and “kiss the air.”

First names are used between friends and close colleagues, but otherwise titles

are important and customary. Besides professional titles, Monsieur (“Mr.”),

Madame (“Mrs.”), and Mademoiselle (“Miss”) are commonly used.

The local café used to be the main center for social life, but more people

now spend their evenings at home. Socializing tends to be reserved for the

weekends. The French are formal in their visiting customs, and people do not

often visit unannounced. It is usual to arrive up to 15 or 20 minutes late for a

social occasion, but arriving any later may appear rude. The host is often given

a bottle of wine or another small gift. French hosts feel they are responsible for,

and enjoy, guiding or directing social occasions by organizing the seating,

leading the conversation, and so forth. Visitors are expected to show a certain

deference to the host and, except when they are very good friends, not make

themselves too much at home. It is important to compliment the host on the

cooking and the wine, because good cooking is a matter of much pride in

French homes.

Family

A marriage is legally recognized only if there has been a civil ceremony,

but many people have a religious ceremony as well. An increasing number of

people live together before getting married or as an alternative to marriage.

Family ties and loyalty remain strong, but there has been a shift from the

extended family to the smaller nuclear family. The average family has fewer

than two children, and many children now leave home when they have finished

school. There has also been an increase in the number of people choosing not

to have children. Europe

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Cuisine

The French consider cooking an art, and French cuisine is popular around

the world. The first French cookbooks date back to the Middle Ages, and French

standards were the early gauge of fine cooking. French wines are also

internationally renowned. Regional traditions are strong. There are several types

of cooking, ranging from hearty, inexpensive fare to sophisticated dishes with

costly ingredients and rich, complex sauces. Nouvelle cuisine, which emerged in

the 1970s, was a reaction to the heaviness of this style of cooking. While still

using expensive ingredients, it is much lighter, the portions smaller, and the

presentation more artistic.

The French generally eat a light breakfast (petit déjeuner), which may

consist of croissants or bread and coffee or hot chocolate. Lunch (déjeuner) was

once the main meal of the day, but now many people—particularly in urban

areas—have a lighter lunch and eat their main meal in the evening. In Paris,

lunch is usually eaten at around 1 PM and dinner (dîner) at 9 PM or later. People

tend to eat earlier in other areas.

The ritual of leisurely meals is important in France. Formal lunches and

dinners may last more than two hours. They generally include an appetizer; a

main course of fish or meat, accompanied by vegetables; salad; cheese; and

fruit. These elaborate meals often end with dessert and coffee.

Fast food has been resisted by the French, although this resistance has

not been entirely successful, and many hamburger restaurants operate across

the country. In fast food’s most traditional form there are filled croissants and

sandwiches that can be purchased in shops and cafés. Cafés also offer crôque

monsieur (toasted ham and cheese) and a plate of salad-type vegetables or a

cold-meat assortment (charcuterie) for a light meal. Pâtisseries sell pastries and

crêperies sell crêpes.

The French go to restaurants more often than their northern European

neighbors. Almost every restaurant has at least one fixed-price menu (a

selection of two or three dishes for each course at a set price), as well as a

menu offering individual selections. In most of France it is usual to choose from

the fixed-price menu unless it is a special occasion.

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Recreation

Soccer and rugby are popular spectator sports, and the annual Tour de

France cycling race is followed avidly. Almost 2 million people belong to

amateur soccer clubs, and participation is high in cycling, fishing, tennis,

walking, skiing, and sailing. Hunting is also popular, as are horseback riding and

golf. Pétanque (or boule), a form of bowling, is still much played, particularly in

the south, where the game originated. Horse racing provides a popular outlet for

betting. Bullfighting is confined to the south, principally in Languedoc-Roussillon

and the Basque country.

Summer music festivals occur throughout France, and there has been

increased support for concerts, theater, and the opera. Theater thrives partly

because of generous state subsidies. Cinema remains popular, and museums

have also enjoyed increased support.

PORT OF OSLO

The Port of Oslo is Norway’s center for shipping, trade, industry, and

banking, and Oslo Harbor is the biggest and busiest in Norway. The hub of

roads, railways, and airways in Norway, the Port of Oslo is located at latitude

59º53’50” N and longitude 10º49’7” E about 79 kilometers north-northwest of

Gamle Fredrikstad. The Port of Oslo is a storehouse for maritime knowledge for

Europe, with almost a thousand companies in the maritime sector, including

some of the largest shipping companies in the world. The Port of Oslo’s major

industries are involved in the making of consumer goods and in the graphic and

electro-technical industries.

The Port of Oslo’s facilities are among Scandinavia’s most modern, is ice-

free, and tidal effects are negligible. In 2008, over five thousand vessels called

on the Port, including 2522 foreign vessels and 2500 domestic vessels. That

year, it also handled a total of 5.9 million tons of cargo, including 3.5 million tons

of bulk cargo and 2.4 million tons of general cargo. This included 3.7 million tons

of foreign cargoes and 2.2 million tons of domestic cargoes. Within the foreign

cargoes, 3.0 million tons of cargoes were exports, and 713 thousand tons were

exports. Imports were mainly general cargo (1.5 million tons) and liquid bulk (1.1

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million tons), with dry bulk a small portion (319 thousand tons). Exports were for

the most part general cargo. The Port handled 897 thousand tons of cargo on

car and passenger ferries.

Port of Oslo also handled in 2008 a total of 190.3 thousand TEUs of

containerized cargoes, including 106.1 thousand inward-bound TEUs and 84.2

thousand outward-bound TEUs. Container cargoes amounted to 1.3 million

tons. The Ormsund Terminal handled the majority of TEUs (131.3 thousand)

and tonnage (882 tons). During the same year over 6.7 million passengers

passed through the Port of Oslo, including 2.7 million foreign passengers and

4.0 million domestic passengers. Foreign passengers included 240 thousand on

cruise ships and 2.4 million on ferries in international trade. Domestic passenger

services included 183.7 thousand passengers on charter and sightseeing

vessels, one million passengers on local ferries, and 2.9 million passengers on

inter-municipal ferries.

The Port contains a total of 9.9 thousand meters of quays with up to 11

meters alongside depth and covers 1.2 million square meters of land area. The

port contains a total floor area in warehouses and other buildings of 82.5

thousand square meters. The Port is equipped to handle all types of cargoes. Its

main cargoes, however, include oil, cement, salt, stone, timber, grain, animal

feed, and newsprint. Container traffic is the fastest-growing part of the general

cargo handled by the Port of Oslo, but half of the general cargo is still handled

by ferries and other vessels. Half of Norway’s oil supplies come by tanker to the

Port of Oslo.

NORWEGIAN CUSTOMS

Socializing

Norwegians usually shake hands when meeting someone for the first

time. On other occasions, people might simply say Morn (literally, “Morning”) or

Hei. A slightly more formal greeting is God dag (“Good day”). The use of first

names is now common, but in business and among older people titles may be

used.

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In the north it is common for people to drop in unannounced, but in the

south it is customary to telephone prior to visiting. In general, Norwegians are

more interested in making their guests feel at home than in observing formal

rules of etiquette.

Family

It is common for couples to live together before marriage or instead of

getting married. Families tend to be small. Husbands and wives usually consider

each other equal in authority as far as running the household is concerned, and

it is common for both to work outside the home. Women make up almost half of

the labor force and account for about one-third of the seats in parliament. Child

care and other family social-welfare programs are considerably more generous

than in most countries. Many families own their houses or apartments, and more

than one-third also own or part-own a cabin in the mountains or by the sea.

Cuisine

Breakfast usually consists of open-faced sandwiches and milk or coffee,

and lunch is often the same. Meat or fish, potatoes, vegetables, and a soup or

dessert are generally prepared for the main meal, often eaten as early as 5 PM.

Some people also have a light snack later in the evening. Traditional dishes

include meatballs, fish balls, salmon, lutefisk (cod or coalfish, soaked in potash

lye), and fårikål (cabbage and mutton). A buffet of hot and cold dishes is often

served on special occasions.

Formal mealtime etiquette is similar to that in many northern European

countries. For example, guests do not start eating until invited to do so by the

host, and hands are kept above the table. As in other European countries,

people generally hold their fork in the left hand and their knife in the right.

Recreation

Most Norwegians are physically active. Nearly every Norwegian can ski,

and children learn the sport at a very young age. Other sports that people enjoy

include fishing, soccer, swimming, walking, and boating. Watching television,

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reading, and going to the cinema are popular leisure activities, and the arts are

well supported. Community clubs or associations play a large part in the

organization of sporting, cultural, and other recreational activities.

ROSSLARE EUROPORT

Rosslare Europort is located at latitude 52º15’16” N and longitude

6º20’9”W on Ireland’s most southeastern coast In Rosslare Harbour in County

Wexford. Rosslare Europort supports freight and passenger ferries traveling to

and from France and Wales.

Rosslare Europort has four berths. Berth 1 is 221 meters long with

alongside depths from 7.6 to 10 meters, and it can accommodate vessels to 215

meters long. At 214 meters long with alongside depths from 7.2 to 9.6 meters,

Berth 2 can accommodate vessels to 205 meters long. Berth 3 is 186 meters

long with alongside depths from 7.6 to 10 meters, and it can accommodate

vessels to 186 meters long. Accommodating vessels to 130 meters, Berth 4 is

148 meters long with alongside depths from 6.5 to 8.9 meters.

Rosslare Europort offers several amenities for passengers: baby-

changing and children’s play areas, car rental services, shops, a bar, a

restaurant, money changing service, and immigration facilities. Rosslare

Europort also offers trailer and vehicle spaces, and a range of equipment to

facilitate movement of passengers and cargo and repair services. Annually,

Rosslare Europort handled over 1.1 million passengers, 307 thousand

passenger vehicles, 117 thousand units of roll-on/roll-off cargo, and 35 thousand

trade vehicles.

IRISH CUSTOMS

Socializing

The traditional Irish greeting Céad míle fáilte literally means “A hundred

thousand welcomes.” However, the Irish greet one another with common

English phrases such as “Hello” and “How are you?” or more casual greetings

such as 'How's it going?' The most typical Irish greeting is Dia dhuit, which

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means “God be with you.” Goodbye is expressed with Slán (roughly “Go safely”)

or the warmer Slán agus beannacht ('Go safely, and blessings be with you').

Greetings are generally accompanied by a firm handshake, although in

cities and among younger people it is not unusual for women to be kissed on the

cheek when greeting. The use of first names is now widespread. Unless one

knows someone well, it is usual to telephone before visiting. Rural people are

more likely than urban dwellers to drop in on friends unannounced, as was

common practice in the past. People like to meet for conversation in pubs, which

are important centers of social life.

Visiting in the home takes place during holidays, especially between

Christmas and New Year’s Day, which is also the time when young people living

abroad usually come home to visit. Parties are also popular during holidays.

Family

Typically, the bonds between siblings in an Irish family are especially

strong. In rural areas, extended families often live near one another, and family

members who have moved to Dublin or overseas in search of work often return

for Christmas and other family celebrations or funerals. Traditionally, women

have not worked outside the home except to help on the family farm, but in

Dublin and other cities the majority of women now have jobs. 34.2 percent

(1999)Salary levels for women still lag behind those of men, but gender

discrimination is illegal. The Irish have elected two consecutive women

presidents since 1991.

People usually marry in their early to mid-20s. Most weddings are

performed in a church, but a minority are also performed in a registry office.

After marriage, many people in rural areas stay close to their family’s home and

visit frequently. Many couples, particularly in the cities, live together before or

instead of marriage.

Cuisine

The traditional cooked breakfast consists of any or all of the following:

bacon, sausages, grilled or fried tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs, white and black

pudding (a form of blood sausage) and toast or bread fried in fat or oil. Fewer

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people now eat such a morning meal, however, preferring a lighter breakfast. In

recent years, the Irish, particularly those in urban areas, have become much

more adventurous in their diet, and now eat a wide variety of European and

ethnic food. Pubs (public houses) and cafés serve both snacks and full meals.

The Irish generally eat three meals a day. The midday meal is usually

referred to as lunch and the evening meal as dinner or, when it is less formal, as

supper. But some rural people call the midday meal dinner and the early-

evening meal tea. Many people, particularly in Dublin, no longer eat more than a

light meal or snack in the middle of the day.

Smoked salmon is considered an Irish specialty, as are Irish stew and

Irish lamb. Irish breads include soda bread and brack, a rich, dark loaf

containing dried fruit and traditionally served at Halloween. Tea and coffee are

popular drinks in the home, and Dublin is rapidly developing a café culture.

Recreation

The Irish are sports-oriented, and most weekends include some sporting

activities for the family or the individual. Popular sports include the two national

pastimes: Gaelic football and hurling, both strictly amateur sports. The women’s

version of hurling is called camogie. Hurling, a fast and skillful game, is played

on a soccer-type field with wooden sticks and a small leather ball. Gaelic football

is played with a round ball; its rules are similar to soccer, but players can touch

the ball with their hands, although they cannot pick it up from the ground. The

ball is punched, not thrown, and it can be kicked. Scoring is done in a soccer-

type net, but, as in hurling, points can also be made for going over the top of the

goal. Gaelic football is the precursor of Australian Rules football; the two sports

are similar enough that Irish and Australian teams sometimes play each other

with a set of compromise rules. The All-Ireland semifinals and finals, sponsored

by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), are highlights of the hurling and Gaelic

football seasons.

Soccer, rugby, sailing, cycling, golf, and horse and greyhound racing are

also favorite activities. Soccer has become a particularly popular spectator sport

in the 1990s, reflecting the enthusiasm surrounding the national team’s

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successes during the first half of the decade. Fishing, or angling, is also a

common recreational activity, featuring mainly trout and salmon fishing. Rugby

internationals played at Dublin’s Lansdowne Road stadium are considered high

points of the sporting year. Enthusiasts of horse racing flock to the Galway

Races in the summer and early fall.

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MODULE

MAJOR PORTS OF NORTH AMERICA

PORT OF BOSTON

The Port of Boston, the home to world famous Harvard University, lies at

latitude 42º21’49” N and longitude 71º2’12” W on Massachusetts Bay off the

Atlantic Ocean on the United States' East Coast. The Port is rated as the

country's top life sciences center in the country by the Milken Institute. Being

considered as one of the leading high-tech centers and one of the most popular

convention and vacation destinations in the United States, tourism is a huge part

of the Port of Boston's economy. The port is handled by the Massachusetts Port

Authority (Massport) whose terminals handle over a million tons of cargo each

year and with its Black Falcon Cruise Terminal a popular port of call for luxury

cruise liners.

The 2008 statistics show that the Port of Boston handled a total of 15.5

million tons of cargo and served 113 cruise vessel sailings and 269.9 cruise

passengers The Port’s Terminal served 242 container ships carrying 1.5 million

tons of containerized cargo in 208.4 thousand TEUs, including 973.4 thousand

tons of imports (in 101.7 thousand TEUs) and over 496 thousand tons of exports

(in 62.6 thousand TEUs). The Port of Boston served 32 auto vessels and

processed over 26.7 thousand automobiles. Bulk cargo imports of 12.4 million

tons arrived at the Port in 2008, including petroleum products (6.8 million tons),

liquefied natural gas (2.6 million tons), other bulk cargoes (2.1 million tons), salt

(688.7 thousand tons), cement (161.7 thousand tons), and gypsum (27.7

thousand tons). Bulk cargo exports of 800.5 thousand tons left the Port of

Boston in 2008, including scrap metal (540 thousand tons), other bulk cargoes

(135.6 thousand tons), and automobiles (21.7 thousand tons). As one of the

most modern and efficient container ports in the U.S., it handles more than 1.3

million tons of general cargo, 1.5 million tons of non-fuels bulk cargo and 12.8

million tons of bulk fuel cargo yearly.

The Port of Boston is also home to a huge complex of private petroleum and liquefied natural gas terminals. It contains two

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shipyards, world-famous marine research institutions, several private and public ferry operations, an important Coast Guard facility, and one of the country's most productive fishing ports. Cruiseport Boston is now considered one of the fastest growing high-end cruise markets in the country and serves as the gateway to New England

PORT OF CHARLESTON

The Port of Charleston, located at 32º49’20” N and 79º55’39” W on South

Carolina's Central Coast, is the sixth biggest container port in the United States

by cargo value. In 2008, the Port of Charleston handled a total of 62.4 million

tons of cargo, including 40.1 million tons of imports and 22.3 million tons of

exports. The largest commodity groups included cargoes of yarns, fibers,

textiles, apparel, and forest products. Chemicals also made up a significant

portion of cargoes handled in the Port. Other major cargoes included machinery

and parts; vehicles, boats, and aircraft; foodstuffs and basic agricultural

materials; furniture, sporting goods, and toys; and hardware, lighting, and

miscellaneous metal ware. Other goods handled included mineral products, tires

and unfinished rubber products, plastic products, metals, instruments, electric

goods, plastic films and sheets, foot ware, jewelry, ores, and concentrates.

The Port of Charleston has excellent connections by rail and highway to

the Southeastern United States and the Mid-West. Served by the CSX and

Norfolk Southern railways, offering complete intermodal services. Major trading

partners are located in North Europe, Northeast Asia, and India. Other trading

partners are in the Mediterranean, South America, Africa, Central America, the

Middle East, and Southeast Asia serving over 30 ocean carriers that travel to

150 countries around the world.

The Port’s main terminals include the Union Pier Terminal which is

dedicated to breakbulk and roll-on/roll-off cargoes; the Wando Welch Terminal,

the port's biggest terminal in both size and volume, recognized around the world

for its productivity and innovative design and served by ten container cranes (six

super post-Panamax and four post-Panamax); and the North Charleston

Terminal, a modern container terminal dedicated to containerized cargoes.

PORT OF GALVESTON

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The Port of Galveston which is also called the Galveston Wharves lies at

latitude 29º18’15” N and longitude 94º49’7” W on the northeastern shores of

Galveston Island off the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast of Houston, Texas. It is

an important deep-water port on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and one of the

most popular tourist destinations in the South United States.

The Port handles all types of cargo and has a busy cruise ship terminal

that serves cruise lines operating in the Caribbean. It is homeport to two

Carnival Cruise Lines vessels and the Royal Caribbean International's Voyager

of the Seas. The Port is served by 19 Piers with terminals and facilities handling

various cargoes of fresh fruit and fresh produce, grains, general dry bulk

cargoes including agricultural, mineral and fertilizer products, and cement.

The Pier of Galveston's Marine Repair Facility on Galveston Island and

the Pelican Island Marine Repair Facility handle the maintenance and repair of

vessels and drilling rigs. The 43.3-hectare facility has water depths from 7.6 to

12.2 meters and dry dock lift capacity of 60 thousand tons. The facility offers

construction, repair, engineering, modification, and environmental services to

the offshore and marine industry. It includes fabrication areas and equipment for

modular construction, and the facility can accommodate all kinds of floating

structures.

PORT OF NEWARK

The Port of Newark lies at latitude 40º42’0” N and longitude 74º8’22” W

on the banks of the Passaic River and on Newark Bay, New Jersey. Serving

New York Harbor, the Port is the busiest container shipping port on Newark Bay.

The Port is the home of three modern container terminals served by

ExpressRail, an on-dock-rail facility that serves over nine hectares of warehouse

space, seven distribution buildings, an auto preparation center, and many

terminal buildings.

In 2008 alone, the Port of Newark handled a total of 88.9 million tons of

cargo, including almost 67.4 million tons of imports and over 21.5 million tons of

exports. It handled more than 33.6 million tons of ocean-borne general cargo

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and almost 55.3 million tons of ocean-borne bulk cargo. Cargoes through the

Port included more than 5.2 million TEUs of containerized cargo and over one

million motor vehicles (including nearly 654.7 thousand imports and 376.8

thousand exports). The Port of Newark serves about 3700 vessels a year

carrying some 2.5 million containers.

The primary imported commodities moving through the Port in TEUs

include furniture, women's and infants' apparel, and beer and ale. The major

exported commodities moving through the Port in TEUs include paper, carbon,

crepe, automobiles, and mixed metal scrap.

The Port of Newark and the Port of New York combined lead the country

in automobile exports and imports. Handling a total of more than 930 thousand

vehicles in 2007, the terminals are located at the Auto Marine Terminal in Jersey

City and the Port of Newark/Elizabeth Marine Terminal. The total terminal area

is 148 hectares, and the docks have seven berths with alongside depths from

9.8 to 12.2 meters. BMW Port Jersey Preparation Center has a 10-hectare

facility at the Port of Newark's Auto Marine Terminal in Jersey City.

PORT OF NEW ORLEANS

The Port of New Orleans, Louisiana, at latitude 29º54’51” N and longitude

90º5’26” W is one of the biggest and busiest ports in the world and the center of

a busy maritime community. It is a fundamental transportation and distribution

hub for water-borne commerce with many shipping, shipbuilding, freight

forwarding, logistics, and commodity brokerage companies.

The Port is home to two of the four Strategic Petroleum Reserve facilities

and to 17 petroleum refineries with a combined capacity to distill almost 450

thousand cubic meters of crude oil per day. The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port

(LOOP) serves ultra-large oil tankers, and the Port of New Orleans contains

many major pipelines that supply the United States (Chevron, Exxon B, Shell,

Texaco, and many others).

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The Port is the United States' only deep-water port served by six major

railroads and is connected to America's heartland by the great 23.3 thousand

kilometer inland waterway of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. It is the

port of choice for a wide range of cargoes that include rubber, coffee, steel,

containers, and manufactured goods. Some 500 million tons of cargo moves on

the Mississippi River each year, including over half of the country's grain

exports. With this volume of traffic, the Port of New Orleans is America's

gateway to global markets.

PORT OF OAKLAND

The Port of Oakland, at latitude 37º47’58” N and longitude 122º18’7” W is

the seat of Alameda County in west-central California, serves as an important

port on the United States' West Coast. It is home to major corporations like

Kaiser Permanente, Clorox, Dreyer's, and Cost Plus World Markets. The Port is

one of the busiest seaports in the United States and It boasts as one of the

world's best natural harbors.

The Port contains ten container terminals and two intermodal rail facilities

handling almost all of the containerized goods moving through Northern

California. The Port contains 20 deep-water ship berths, and its container

terminals cover over 300 hectares. The Port’s cargo volume makes it the United

States' fourth busiest container port with almost 60% of the cargo trade moving

through the Port of Oakland is with Asia. Other trade partners are in Europe and

the South Pacific. About 17% of the port's throughput is domestic and military

cargo.

In 2008 alone, the Port welcomed 1928 cargo vessels, handled 2.2 million

TEUs of containerized cargo, including 796.9 thousand TEUs of inbound loaded

containers and 912.5 thousand outbound loaded containers. The primary

exports leaving the Port of Oakland include fruits and nuts, meat and fish,

machinery, non-rail vehicles, beverages, chemicals, metal scrap, hides and

skins, chemical products, wood pulp, paper and paperboard, cereals and grains,

preserved foods, plastic, and cotton. Primary imports entering the Port include

machinery, beverages, furniture, non-rail vehicles, clothing, toys, sports

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equipment, plastics, iron and steel products, wood, spices, tea and coffee,

medical instruments, textiles, aluminum, and paper.

PORT OF SAN DIEGO

The Port of San Diego lies on the Pacific shores of San Diego Bay in

Southern California at latitude 32º41’4” N and longitude 117º9’41” W, has one

of the finest natural deep-water harbors in the world. Nearly landlocked, the Port

is protected by two peninsulas that separate it from the Pacific Ocean. It is a

busy international shipping center and home to a complex of military bases.

San Diego port is based on three major economic sectors: defense,

manufacturing, and tourism. It contains the US West Coast's only major ship-

building and submarine yards, and houses the world's biggest naval fleet. It is

also the base for several major national defense contractors. Located near

Mexico, tourism is an important part of the Port of San Diego's economy, and it

is home to some great beaches as well as several popular amusement parks.

Cargoes handled by its terminals include refrigerated goods, fertilizers,

cement, breakbulk commodities, and forest products. Principal export cargoes

are refrigerated, breakbulk, and bulk commodities. Bulk loading facilities are

available ship-side for soda ash, potash, and other free-flowing dry bulk goods.

Railcar operations are covered and can operate in all weather conditions.

Handling and storing grains or minerals in the Port of San Diego, a completely

automated 32.9 thousand metric ton bulk storage silo complex is connected to

the bulkloader. The Port also contains three one-million gallon tanks for handling

and storing liquid bulk cargoes as well as facilities and tanks for ships bunkers.

PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO

The Port of San Francisco lies at latitude 37º47’19” N and longitude

122º24’5” W on the northeastern shores of a peninsula that separates San

Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. It is a popular tourist destination and the

cultural, financial, and transportation engine for the region. The Port’s economy

depends on apparel and textile manufacturing, food processing, and

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shipbuilding. It is the US West Coast's principal finance and banking center,

being the birthplace of the huge Bank of America and the host for more than 30

international financial institutions. Tourism is an important contributor to the local

economy. Offering a plentiful and varied set of attractions, the Port of San

Francisco welcomes millions of tourists each year as well as millions of

participants at conferences and conventions. The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz,

and Fisherman's Wharf are a few of the most popular sites in the city.

In 2008, the Port received a total of almost 1.2 million tons of cargo,

including over 1.1 million tons of imports and 27.5 thousand tons of exports.

Imports included 79.5 thousand tons of breakbulk, and almost 1.1 million tons of

dry bulk cargo. Exports included 27.5 thousand tons of liquid bulk cargoes. The

Port also welcomed a total of more than 173.9 thousand passenger visits on 59

vessel calls in 2008. The Port handles all types of cargo including rolling stock,

project cargo, and breakbulk cargo. The cargo terminal has five berths, on-dock

rail, cold storage facilities, paved cargo staging areas, and more than five

hectares of covered storage that includes 625 reefer outlets. The Port of San

Francisco also offers a Foreign Trade Zone and full-service ship repairs.

PORT OF LOS ANGELES

The Port of Los Angeles also called Los Angeles Harbor and

WORLDPORT L.A., located at latitude 33º43’55” N and longitude 118º15’55” W

in Southern California between the Pacific Ocean and the San Gabriel

Mountains. It is the largest cruise ship center on the West Coast of the United

States and the busiest container port in the entire United States. The Port of

Los Angeles, is a port complex that occupies 7,500 acres (30 km2) of land and

water along 43 miles (69 km) of waterfront. and contains three ship berths

transporting over 1 million passengers annually.

The port is located near the famous San Andreas Fault where

earthquakes occur often. It is the seat of Los Angeles County, which is home to

almost one hundred other cities. The local economy of the Port is gigantic,

diverse, and always changing. Today the Port of Los Angeles is a center for

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finance and business, high-technology, fashion industries, and, of course,

movies.

The Port handles about 190 million metric tons of cargo each year. The

Port houses 69 container cranes, including 20 post-Panamax Plus cranes, 17

marinas with 3800 slips for recreational boats and 27 cargo terminals that

handle containers, liquid and dry bulk, breakbulk, and automobiles and support

270 berths. Various Terminals specialize in containers (8 terminals), liquid bulk

cargoes (7 terminals), breakbulk (3 terminals), dry bulk (2 terminals),

passengers and ferries (2 terminals), and automobiles (1 terminal), and four

warehouse terminals.

In 2008, the Port served 2370 vessels carrying a total of 170 million metric

revenue tons of cargo, including 8.3 million TEUs of containerized cargo and

almost 163.4 thousand automobiles. That year, the Port also welcomed 1.2

million cruise passengers. The top five containerized imported cargoes arriving

at the Port of Los Angeles included furniture (415.3 thousand TEUs), apparel

(362.5 thousand TEUs), automobile parts (309.7 thousand TEUs), electronic

products (254.5 thousand TEUs), and footwear (131.8 thousand TEUs). The top

five containerized exported cargoes leaving the Port of Los Angeles included

paper, paperboard, and wastepaper (234.4 thousand TEUs); scrap metal (183.1

thousand TEUs); fabrics and raw cotton (117.5 thousand TEUs); pet and animal

feed (77.7 thousand TEUs); and resins (72.2 thousand TEUs).

By share of cargo volume, the top five trade routes operating in the Port of

Los Angeles included the Far East (93%); domestic routes (3%); Australia and

New Zealand (1%); India, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea (1%), and Latin

America (1%). By cargo value, the top five trading partners for the Port of Los

Angeles were China ($117.9 billion US), Japan ($38.7 billion US), Taiwan ($13.3

billion US), South Korea ($9 billion US), and Thailand ($7.5 billion US).

Maersk Line, the world's biggest shipping line, operates the world's

biggest proprietary container terminal in the Port of Los Angeles. Two of the

busiest cargo complexes in the Port are the 66-hectare container terminal

operated by Evergreen America Corporation and the 75-hectare container

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terminal operated by Yusen Terminals Inc. (a NYK Line subsidiary). The World

Cruise Center in the Port is the country's most secure cruise passenger

complex. It has homeport agreements with Royal Caribbean International,

Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. It enjoys regular calls from

Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney

Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Silver Sea

Cruises. In 2007, the World Cruise Center welcomed 255 cruise vessels

carrying over 1.1 million passengers.

PORT OF HOUSTON

The Port of Houston, an inland port on Texas' Gulf of Mexico coast, is located at latitude 29º44’21” N and longitude 95º12’12” W. It is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico. The port is ranked first in the United States in foreign waterborne tonnage, and it is the world's tenth largest port. It is the main port in the State of Texas and perhaps the energy capital of the world hosting several super-major energy companies that include Conoco Phillips, Exxon-Mobil, Shell Oil, and BP. The Port is home to 89 consular offices and 23 chambers of commerce representing foreign governments who have trade and commercial relations in the area.

In 2008, the Port of Houston ranked second on the Fortune 500 list of

company headquarters, ranked first on Forbes' list of the Best Cities for College

Graduates, and first on Forbes' list of Best Cities to Buy a Home. In the same

year, the Port of Houston was the leading port in the United States for foreign

tonnage and for imports. It was the second largest port in the country for total

tonnage and the seventh largest container port in the US, handling 1.8 million

TEUs with over eight thousand ships calling at the Port carrying 225.5 million

tons of cargo.

The Port’s primary cargoes are petroleum and petroleum products (91.4

million tons), organic chemicals (14.9 million tons), iron and steel (8 million

tons), natural stone (7 million tons), and cereal and cereal products (5.8 million

tons). The major trading partners were Mexico (29.1 million tons), Venezuela

(10.6 million tons), Saudi Arabia (8.5 million tons), Algeria (6.2 million tons), and

China (5.7 million tons). The leading sources of imported cargoes included

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Mexico (21.9 million tons), Venezuela (9 million tons), Saudi Arabia (8.1 million

tons), Algeria (5.4 million tons), and China (4.5 million tons).

The Port's Barbours Cut Container Terminal is the US Gulf Coast's most

modern inter-modal container facility. The terminal has six berths with a total

length of over 1.8 kilometers with alongside depth of almost 12.2 meters served

by thirteen wharf cranes, a roll-on/roll-off platform, a LASH dock, over 100

hectares of developed marshalling and storage area, 25.5 hectares of

warehouse place, and a cruise terminal in the Port of Houston. Near the terminal

is a modern refrigerated food warehouse. The terminal has a total of 26 truck

lanes and an inter-modal rail ramp with spurs leading to terminal warehouses.

This Port of Houston terminal has room for 24.5 thousand grounded TEUs, 342

reefer outlets, and slots for over 2500 wheeled units. It also has two 9.3

thousand square meter transit sheds and one 5.1 thousand square meter transit

shed. The roll-on/roll-off facilities have access to almost 18 hectares of paved

marshaling area.

About 2800 ships and barges call at the Port of Houston's Turning Basin

Terminal's 37 docks each year with a wide range of cargoes from breakbulk,

project, and heavy-lift cargoes to containers. The Houston Public Elevator No.

2, is one of the newest modern export elevators in the United States, with a

rated storage capacity of 6.2 million bushels and loading capacity for 120

thousand bushels per hour, the facility is totally automated with high-speed

handling equipment for grain cargoes.

PORT OF LONG BEACH

The Port of Long Beach also known as Long Beach’s Harbor Department,

the 2nd busiest seaport in the United States, is located at latitude 33º44’56” N

and longitude 118º12’4” W in Los Angeles County, California. Acting as a major

gateway for U.S.-Asian trade, the port occupies 3,200 acres (13 km2) of land

with 25 miles (40 km) of waterfront in the city of Long Beach, California

The Port handled 157.1 million tons of cargo in 2008 including 115.1

million tons of inbound cargo (99.6 million tons of foreign cargo) and 41.5 million

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tons of outbound cargo (36.0 million tons of foreign cargo). The Port likewise

handled a total of almost 6.5 million TEUs of containerized cargo, including 3.2

million inbound loaded containers, 1.7 million outbound loaded containers, and

1.6 million empty containers.

The Port contains ten piers with 80 berths that are served by 71 post-

Panamax gantry cranes. Its major trading partners are located in East Asia,

accounting for over 90% of the shipments passing through the port. The Port's

top trading partners include China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and

Malaysia. Outside East Asia, it also has strong trade relationships with Mexico,

Iraq, and Ecuador.

The major imports received in the Port of Long Beach include crude oil,

electronics, plastics, furniture, and clothing with major exports of petroleum

coke, refined petroleum, waste paper, foods, and chemicals.

PORT OF MIAMI

The Port of Miami lies at latitude 25º46’30” N and longitude 80º10’2” W in

Biscayne Bay at the mouth of the Miami River in far southeast Florida. Miami is

one of the United States' leading resort and tourism destinations with many

smaller communities making up what is popularly known as the "Gold Coast."

The Port of Miami is one of the United States' busiest ports, being both a major

gateway for cargo in the Americas and a busy cruise center. It is home to the

headquarters for over 1400 corporations which include among others Disney,

American Airlines, FedEx, Microsoft, Sony, Kraft Foods. Due to its popularity

with both tourists and potential residents, the Port of Miami is one of America's

most expensive cities. In 2008, Forbes Magazine ranked the Port of Miami as

"America's Cleanest City," recognizing its good air quality, safe drinking water,

clean streets, plentiful green spaces, and city-wide recycling programs

The Port is an international center for banking, finance, business services,

commerce, and manufacturing. Manufactured goods include clothing, medical

equipment and pharmaceuticals, metal products, and printing. In addition to a

wide range of international cargoes, the Port is a world leader in the cruise ship

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industry. As the "Cargo Gateway of the Americas," it has trade relationships with

over 100 countries and 250 ports across the world. In 2008, over 7.4 million

tons of cargo passed through the Port including 828.3 thousand TEUs of

containerized cargo. More than 1600 vessels called at the Port of Miami,

including 20 major shipping lines and 789 cruise vessels, and more than four

million passengers traveled through the port.

The Port of Miami operates several modern container terminals. The Port

of Miami Terminal Operating Company has served the Port for more than ten

years, and it serves more than 30 carriers, handling over 500 thousand TEUs a

year. Ocean transportation company Seaboard Marine has provided service

between the US, the Caribbean, and Latin America since 1983. Today, it serves

almost 40 ports in 20 countries. The private Seaboard Marine terminal covers

over 28 hectares in the Port of Miami, and it operates 24 hours a day throughout

the year.

PORT OF NEW YORK

The Port of New York, located at latitude 40º41’18” N and longitude

74º1’43” W on the mouth of the Hudson River, is North America's most-used

gateway to the world. The Port of New York metropolitan area covers Manhattan

and Staten Islands, western Long Island, and a small part of New York State's

mainland. The enormous Port is a worldwide center for business and commerce

and one of three centers (with London and Tokyo) for the world economy. Home

to the United Nations, it has received millions of immigrants from around the

world over the past centuries.

With a gross metropolitan product of over $1 trillion per year, the Port is

the largest regional economy in the United States. The Port of New York is

perhaps the United States' most influential financial, business, real estate,

media, and arts center is home to 43 Fortune 500 companies and has more

foreign corporations than any other American City. The Port of New York is also

the location of some of the world's most valuable and expensive real estate.

Midtown Manhattan is the biggest central business district in the country. Lower

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Manhattan is the third largest central business district in the country, and it is

home to Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.

The Port of New York has the biggest television and film industry in the

United States after Hollywood, and its creative industries are growing

specifically on biotechnology, software, game design, internet services, medical

research and technology, non-profit institutions, and universities. Manufacturing

is still a large part of the Port’s economy together with chemicals, metals,

processed foods, and furniture. The Port of New York exports some $234 million

worth of chocolate exports per year.

In September 2001, the Port of New York flashed to international attention

when two terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center complex killed almost

three thousand people and destroyed the twin towers and one other complex

building. As the 21st Century began, the port authority created a plan to rebuilt

the World Trade Center, built a new rail tunnel, enhance port facility security,

and upgrade the seaports to handle increasing international cargo volumes.

In 2008, the Port handled a total of 88.9 million tons of cargo, including

almost 67.4 million tons of imports and over 21.5 million tons of exports. It

handled more than 33.6 million tons of ocean-borne general cargo and almost

55.3 million tons of ocean-borne bulk cargo. Cargoes passing through the port

included more than 5.2 million TEUs of containerized cargo and over one million

motor vehicles (including nearly 654.7 thousand imports and 376.8 thousand

exports). This Port of New York terminal has the shortest sailing time than any

other facility in the harbor to the open ocean

The Port’s Container Terminal is located on Staten Island. Its primary

cargoes are containers and general and breakbulk. The terminal covers an area

of 58 hectares and contains 918 meters of berthing space. Of that, 381 meters

have alongside depth of 13.7 meters, 320 meters have alongside depth of 12.8

meters, and 213.4 meters have alongside depth of 11.3 meters. The terminal

offers maintenance and repair services for containers and chassis. Its Red Hook

Container Terminal in Brooklyn handles containers and roll-on/roll-off and

breakbulk cargoes. The terminal covers 32 hectares and includes 634 meters of

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berths for containers and over a kilometer of berths for breakbulk cargoes. All

berths have alongside depth of 12.8 meters. This terminal, with 72 reefer plug

slots, is served by near-dock connections with the New York Cross Harbor

Railroad.

PORT OF SEATTLE

The Port of Seattle, a major city for the State of Washington in the United

States, is located at latitude 47º36’8” N and longitude 122º21’55” W on Elliott

Bay on Puget Sound and surrounded by the Olympic Mountains to the west and

Lake Washington and the Cascades to the east. The Port of Seattle has a rich

expanse of resources in its hinterland that extends as far east as the Great

Plains of Montana. A city of international economic status, the Port is linked to

its hinterland by road, rail, and ship and to the world through ocean-borne and

air networks. It is home to headquarters of six Fortune 500 companies, including

Internet retailer Amazon.com, the Starbucks coffee chain, Nordstrom

department stores, and the global logistics company of Expeditors International.

Several other Fortune 500 companies − including Costco, Microsoft, T-Mobile,

Nintendo of America, and Weyerhaeuser forest products − are headquartered in

nearby cities on Puget Sound.

In 2008, the Port of Seattle handled almost 20 million tons of cargo and

served 1226 vessel calls. Dominated by containers carried by 711

containerships, the Port handled 1.7 TEUs containing 12.5 million tons of cargo.

Of the total TEUs, almost 1.4 million represented international cargoes,

including 664.5 thousand TEUs of imports and 434.6 TEUs of exports. The Port

also handled 106.9 thousand tons of non-containerized breakbulk cargoes and

7.4 million tons of bulk cargoes. Carried by 109 vessels, grains (6.5 million tons)

dominated bulk cargoes. The remaining bulk cargoes included petroleum (938.5

thousand tons) and molasses (65 thousand tons). In addition to cargo, the Port

of Seattle was visited by over 886 thousand passengers on 210 cruise vessels

in 2008.

The Port of Seattle handles two major cargo categories: containers and

breakbulk. It has four container terminals that support 2.0 million TEUs with a

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wide range of seaport services. The natural deep-water harbor accommodates

ten container berths with alongside depths of up to 15 meters. The Port’s state-

of-the-art Terminal 5 features on-dock inter-modal rail facilities and the latest of

computerized terminal operations systems.

The Port also has facilities to handle general and project cargo. It offers a

16-hectare grain storage facility with capacity to store over 100,000 metric tons.

These break bulk facilities offer over 94 hectares of space and over 2400 meters

of moorage for all kinds of vessels. The facilities have capacity to store over

200,000 barrels of petroleum, molasses, and other liquid cargo.

The Port has two cruise facilities that serve five major cruise lines that

operate weekly services from the port. The Norwegian Cruise Line makes the

Port of Seattle its homeport for seven-day summer cruises to Alaska that depart

the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal on weekends. Other Cruise Lines include

Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and the Royal Caribbean.

AMERICAN CUSTOMS

American greetings may vary from a formal ‘good morning’ to a more

casual ‘Hi!’; it’s considered polite to respond likewise. On parting, it’s

customary to say ‘Have a nice day’ with a reply ‘You’re Welcome’ or

something similar when somebody thanks them, and they may think you’re

impolite if you don’t do likewise. If someone asks ‘How are you?’, it’s usual to

reply ‘Fine thanks’ . When introduced to someone, it’s common to follow the

cue of the person performing the introduction, e.g. if someone is introduced as

George, you can usually call him George. Americans generally dislike

formality or any sort of social deference due to age or position, and most

quickly say ‘Please call me Rick (or Rita)’. To Americans, informality shows no

lack of respect. Because of the rise of women’s liberation in America, women

may be introduced with the title ‘Ms’ (pronounced ‘mizz’) and some women

object to being addressed as ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs’. In some social circles, women

are introduced after their husbands, e.g. Mrs Chuck Whizzkid.

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After you’ve been introduced to someone, you usually say something

like, ‘Pleased to meet you’ or ‘My pleasure’ and shake hands with a firm grip

(although more common among men). Among friends, it’s common for men

to kiss ladies on one or both cheeks. Men don’t usually kiss or embrace each

other, although this depends on their nationality or ethnic origin.

If you’re invited to dinner, it’s customary to take along a small present,

e.g. flowers, a plant, chocolates or a bottle of wine (but nothing extravagant or

ostentatious). Flowers can be tricky, as to some people carnations mean bad

luck, chrysanthemums are for cemeteries and roses signify love. If you stay

with someone as a guest for a few days, it’s customary to give your host or

hostess a small gift when you leave.

Although many foreigners have the impression that Americans are

relaxed and casual in their dress, they often have strict dress codes. In the

puritanical New England states, people usually dress conservatively and more

formally than in most other regions. This is particularly true of office workers,

who are usually expected to wear a suit and tie (and have short hair). In the

east, casual wear (jeans or casual trousers, open-necked shirt) is acceptable

for the beach or the garden but is unacceptable in many restaurants. In the

south and west, casual dress is more acceptable, in the office and socially,

and only the most expensive restaurants insist on ties and formal dress. Many

offices have introduced a ‘dress-down’ day on one day a week (usually

Friday), when employees may wear casual attire (although jeans may still be

off limits). When going anywhere that could be remotely formal (or informal),

it’s wise to ask in advance what you’re expected to wear. Usually when dress

is formal, such as evening dress or dinner jacket, this is stated in the invitation

(e.g. ‘black tie’), and you won’t be admitted if you turn up in the wrong attire.

On the other hand, at some informal gatherings you may feel out of place if

you aren’t wearing jeans and a T-shirt. If you’re invited to a wedding, enquire

about dress (unless you want to stick out like a sore thumb). Black or dark

dress is almost always worn at funerals.

Guests are normally expected to be punctual, with the exception of

certain society parties, when late arrival is de rigueur (provided you don’t

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arrive after the celebrity guest). It’s usual to arrive half an hour to an hour after

the official start of a dance. Invitations to cocktail parties or receptions may

state 5pm to 7pm, in which case you may arrive at any time between these

hours. Dinner invitations are often phrased as 8pm for 8.30pm. This means

you should arrive at 8pm for drinks and dinner will be served (usually

promptly) at 8.30pm. Anyone who arrives late for dinner or, horror of horrors,

doesn’t turn up at all, should expect to be excluded from future guest lists,

unless he has a good excuse. On the other hand, you must never arrive early

(unless you plan to help with the cooking). You should never be late for

funerals, weddings (unless you’re the bride, who’s always late) or business

appointments.

Most Americans don’t eat with a knife and fork like ‘normal’ people.

When not eating with their hands they usually eat everything with a fork held

in the right hand (unless left-handed). If anything cannot be broken up into

bite-size pieces with a fork (e.g. steak), you’re permitted to use a knife, but

must dispense with it afterwards (knives are generally reserved for killing

people!). Even desserts are eaten with a fork, and a spoon is usually for your

coffee.

Cuisine

Traditional American cuisine has included conventional European

foodstuffs such as wheat, dairy products, pork, beef, and poultry. It has also

incorporated products that were either known only in the New World or that were

grown there first and then introduced to Europe. Such foods include potatoes,

corn, codfish, molasses, pumpkin and other squashes, sweet potatoes, and

peanuts. American cuisine also varies by region. Southern cooking was often

different from cooking in New England and its upper Midwest offshoots.

Doughnuts, for example, were a New England staple, while Southerners

preferred corn bread. The availability of foods also affected regional diets, such

as the different kinds of fish eaten in New England and the Gulf Coast. For

instance, Boston clam chowder and Louisiana gumbo are widely different

versions of fish soup. Other variations often depended on the contributions of

indigenous peoples. In the Southwest, for example, Mexican and Native

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Americans made hot peppers a staple and helped define the spicy hot

barbecues and chili dishes of the area. In Louisiana, Cajun influence similarly

created spicy dishes as a local variation of Southern cuisine, and African slaves

throughout the South introduced foods such as okra and yams.

America has developed an ebullient national cuisine. America's cooks feel

free to borrow ingredients and techniques from around the world, and to invent

dishes with no precedent anywhere. Variety is the spice of America's tables, and

despite the hammering sameness of franchised food from coast to coast, every

region has its own favorite things to eat and unique ways of eating them. Some

local glories are closely tied to readily available groceries: sweetmeat lobster

rolls along the coast of Maine, pop-in-your-mouth fried cheese curds in dairy

country west of Lake Michigan, Key lime pie made from limes that grow only in

southernmost Florida. Some specialties reflect pockets of strong ethnic tradition,

such as the luscious German-descended bratwursts of Wisconsin. Still others

express colorful local history, such as the hangtown fry, an oyster omelet named

for the summary justice meted out in California's gold rush days.

It isn't only what Americans eat that defines the nation's cuisine, it's the way it’s

eaten. From colonial clambakes to Super Bowl supernachos, America’s favorite

meals are parties unto themselves. At all-you-can eat catfish suppers

throughout the Deep South and Friday fish fries around the Great Lakes, at

burgoo (meat and vegetable stew) picnics in Kentucky and Santa Maria

barbecues in California ranchland, in the Basque dinner halls of Nevada and the

fried-chicken palaces of Kansas, the United States is a nation of people who

love to break bread together, elbow to elbow, in a spirit of community joy. Call it

the vast melting pot or the greatest smorgasbord on earth, American cookery is

diverse, quirky, and exuberant—a lot like Americans!

PORT OF MONTREAL

The Port of Montreal at latitude 45º32’37” N and longitude 73º31’45” W is

the busiest seaport on the St. Lawrence River and Seaway that links the Great

Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. The Port surrounds Mount Royal rising some 233

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meters above sea level and serves as national center for culture, commerce,

technology, finance, and technology. Industries in the Port of Montreal include

pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, aerospace, software engineering,

electronics, printing and publishing, and tobacco. In addition to all this activity,

the Port of Montreal is the world's biggest inland port and one of Canada's most

important ports as well as a hub for the country's rail network.

In 2008, the Port of Montreal welcomed 2096 vessels carrying 27 million

tons of cargo, including 15.2 million tons of imports and 11.8 million tons of

exports. The total cargo volume included 13.3 million tons of containerized

cargo in 1.5 million TEUs, 215.6 thousand tons of non-containerized general

cargo, 5.5 million tons of dry bulk cargoes, and 8 million tons of liquid bulk

cargoes. The Port also hosted 41 cruise vessels carrying 39.6 thousand

passengers.

The Port of Montreal's containerized cargoes included forest products,

foodstuffs, metal products, construction materials, iron and steel products,

vehicles and accessories, chemicals, textiles, ores, and a variety of other goods.

Non-containerized general cargoes included metal products, roll-on/roll-off

cargoes, iron and steel products, granite and sandstone, vehicles and

accessories, forest products, and other goods.

Liquid bulk cargoes handled in the Port were dominated by gasoline, fuel

oil, and diesel oil, but they also included jet fuel and asphalt. Dry bulk cargoes

were dominated by included grain and iron ore, but they also included salt, raw

sugar, fertilizers, zinc ore, scrap metals, copper ore, gypsum, dolomite,

industrial sand, and other commodities. In 2008, the Port of Montreal's

international trading partners accounted 21.3 million of the total 27 million tons

of cargo passing through the port. The major international partners were the

United Kingdom and Continental Europe, the United States, the Mediterranean

region, Latin America.

The berths in the Port of Montreal have a total of 11.7 thousand meters in

length with alongside depths ranging from 6.1 meters to 10.7 meters, and they

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contain a total of 885.3 thousand square meters of open areas and 102.2

thousand square meters of sheds.

PORT OF QUEBEC

The Port of Quebec at latitude 46º48’21” N and longitude 71º12’51” W

rests where the St. Lawrence and Saint Charles rivers meet about 240

kilometers northeast of Montreal in Quebec Province, Canada. The Port’s

economy depends on tourism, commerce, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and

transportation. Manufactured goods produced in the Port include processed

foods, pulp and paper, chemicals, wood and metal products, electronics, and

printed materials. The Port of Quebec is one of the most popular tourist

destinations in North America, the historic city center was recognized as a

UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985.

In 2008, the Port of Quebec welcomed a total of 84 vessels carrying

record 27.2 million tons of merchandise and 17.7 thousand cruise passengers.

This record high was the sixth year in a row of increases in cargo volume,

making the Port the second busiest port in Canada, behind only Metro

Vancouver. The 84 vessels included 19 ships from 13 different cruise lines.

Solid bulk cargoes through the Port of Quebec included 3.1 million tons of grain,

feed grain, and industrial and agricultural fertilizers. The Port handled liquid bulk

cargoes of 14.4 million tons and 83 thousand tons in general merchandise.

The Grain Terminal in the Port of Quebec's Estuaire Sector can load up to

five thousand tons per hour and can store over 225 thousand metric tons of

grain, complemented by convenient rail access and is the only terminal east of

Thunder Bay that operates a grain-winnowing system.

The South Shore Sector in the Port of Quebec contains the Davie Quebec

Naval Dockyard and the deep-water wharf serving the Jean-Gaulin Refinery in

Levis. The Port of Quebec's dockyard has been an important part of the city for

some 200 years and more recently, the dockyard focuses on building oil

tankers, trawlers, cargo and naval vessels, and drilling rigs. The high-tech

facilities and professional workforce at the Port of Quebec shipyard are

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important support for the deep-sea drilling, marine, and heavy industries as well

as for Canada's national defense. The Davie Quebec is the biggest shipyard in

eastern Canada. The Jean-Gaulin Refinery is one of the biggest in Canada,

refining about 42 thousand cubic meters of crude oil per day.

PORT METRO VANCOUVER

Port Metro Vancouver is located at latitude 49º17’52” N and longitude

123º4’27” W in western Canada's largest urban center in southwestern British

Columbia. Port Metro Vancouver is a major seaport and culturally diverse city

with over 40% of its residents speak a language other than English as their

native tongue. Port Metro Vancouver's economy is based on tourism, forestry,

mining, and manufacturing. Oil refining and processing fish and forest and

agricultural products are also important. Major manufacturers produce metals,

boats, chemicals, trucks, and machinery to support forestry and mining activities

in the area.

In 2008, Port Metro Vancouver served over 3000 vessels carrying 114.6

million tons of cargo, including 73 million tons of bulk cargoes, 20.6 million tons

of breakbulk, 20.5 million tons of containerized cargo in 2.5 million TEUs, and

460 thousand tons of automobiles (456.4 thousand units). The Port also

welcomed 854.5 thousand cruise passengers. Foreign cargoes of 82.2 million

tons included 13.9 million tons of imports and 68.4 million tons of exports and

32.3 million tons of domestic cargo.

Port Metro Vancouver contains 17 terminals handling bulk cargoes that

range from coal, potash, sulfur, chemicals, and fuel oil to grains. Bulk cargoes

represent 75% of Port's throughput each year, and it is the busiest port in North

America for foreign export volume. The Port's bulk terminals offer modern

efficient facilities and operators with extensive experience.

The Port’s Pacific Coast Terminals is the world's biggest, most automated

marine terminal for the export of sulfur and bulk liquids. Pacific Coast Terminals

loads over 3.5 million tons of sulfur and 750 thousand tons of ethylene glycol

every year. The terminal covers 43 hectares and contains two berths that can

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handle Panamax vessels to 70 thousand DWT. The terminal has capacity to

store 220 thousand tons of sulfur, 55 thousand tons of ethylene glycol, and an

additional 11.2 thousand tons in currently unused tanks. Pacific Coast Terminals

has infrastructure to store an additional 15 thousand tons. The terminal is

served by four thousand meters of rail serviced by Canadian Pacific. The sulfur

loading rate is five thousand tons per hour, and the ethylene glycol loading rate

is 800 tons per hour.

PORT OF HALIFAX

The Port of Halifax is the capital of Canada's Nova Scotia Province. Lying

at latitude 44º39’25” N and longitude 63º34’44” W on the shores of Halifax

Harbor off the Atlantic Ocean in central Nova Scotia, the Port of Halifax rests on

a rocky peninsula that divides the harbor into an inner and the outer basin that is

home to the port. The Port is an important economic center for Canada and the

business, government, and banking center for the maritime region.

One of the world's biggest and deepest natural harbors, the Port of

Halifax's outer harbor is over a mile wide and almost five miles long. The inner

harbor, Bedford Basin, is 60 feet deep at low tide. In 2007, the Port of Halifax

handled over 12 million tons of cargo, including 7.6 million tons of bulk cargo,

153 thousand tons of breakbulk cargo, 245 thousand tons of roll-on/roll-off

cargo, and over 4 million tons of containerized cargo.

The Port offers state-of-the-art facilities for shipping and cruise lines. Its

Autoport is one of the largest vehicle shipment facilities in North America,

handling almost 100 thousand vehicles a year. The CN Terminal provides on-

dock rail service where double-stack trains operate daily. The CN Terminal can

handle 150 TEUs a day. Located near CN Terminal's rail yards, the Fairview

Container Terminal offers a 70-acre terminal with storage capacity for 12

thousand TEUs. The Ocean Terminals in the Port of Halifax have deep-

water berths, a combination of covered and open storage space, and

access to both road and rail, and it handles diverse cargoes like forest

products, rubber, and steel. It was the first port on the North American

East Coast to receive a post-Panamax container vessel.

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Halifax also has a strong connection to the sinking of the Titanic since it

played a key role during the aftermath of the tragedy. Three of the city's ships

were sent out to recover bodies, and so it is the final resting place for many

unclaimed victims -- three cemeteries throughout Halifax feature rows of black

granite headstones, each inscribed with the same date: April 15, 1912.

Annually, Halifax hosts more than 100 ship visits from lines including

Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess,

Royal Caribbean and Seabourn.

CANADIAN CUSTOMS

The most common greeting is the handshake which is firm and accompanied by direct eye contact and a sincere smile. French Canadian friends may greet each other by lightly kissing on the cheeks (once on the left cheek and once on the right). Canadians are generally a tolerant, polite and extremely community-oriented people. Although they are individualistic in terms of their basic cultural traits, they nevertheless place a great deal of emphasis on the individual's responsibility to the community.

English and French are the preferred "home language", or language spoken most often in the home as well as the "official languages," which means that all laws of the federal government are enacted in both English and French and that federal government services are required to be available in both languages.

Communication styles vary most between Anglophone and Francophone parts of the country. Francophones are generally more indirect than Anglophones, although less so than the French. They also tend to be more exuberant than Anglophones. Anglophones do not generally interrupt someone who is speaking. They consider it rude not to let a person complete their thought before entering the discussion. Francophones are more likely to interrupt another speaker.

Canadians like their space and prefer to be at an arm’s length when speaking to someone. Canadians communicate more by the spoken word rather than non-verbal expressions. Non-verbal expressions are only really used to add emphasis to a message or are part of an individual’s personal communication style.

Dining etiquette is relatively relaxed and informal in Canada, the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. A visitor is free to refuse individual foods or drink without offering an explanation. Leaving a small amount at the end of the meal is generally acceptable.

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MODULE

MAJOR PORTS OF SOUTH AMERICA

PORT OF VALPARAISO

Port of Valparaiso lies on the coast of central Chile about 140 kilometers

northwest of the country’s capital, Santiago. The port lies on latitude 33º 2’ 7’’S

and longitude 71º 37’ 14’’W on the shores where a coastal mountain range

forms a rocky peninsula and a sheltered bay. Built on steep hillsides, Port of

Valparaiso is a labyrinth of cobblestone alleys and streets. It is a treasure of

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cultural and architectural history. Despite the devastating earthquake that struck

Chile on February 27, 2010, the Port of Valparaiso is providing over 90%

operational capacity at present. Six of the port's berths are operating, and the

port is serving all types of vessels including container carriers and passenger

ships.

The Port has eight terminals with marine area covering about 50 hectares

with a sector for reefer connections, a container yard for exports and one for

imports, heavy-duty cranes, a container terminal, and security facilities.

Wharves are a total of 1404 meters long with alongside depths from 6.2 meters

to 11.4 meters.

In 2007, the Port of Valparaiso handled 9.7 million tons of cargo, including

6.3 million tons of containerized cargo (in over 845 thousand TEUs), and 1.2

million tons of loose cargo. Of that total, 5.3 million tons were exports, and 3.7

million tons were imports. In addition, the port welcomed almost 116 thousand

passengers of 48 cruise vessels in the 2007-2008 cruise season. Among the

popular exports leaving the Port of Valparaiso are wine, copper, and fresh fruit.

PUERTO SAN ANTONIO

Puerto San Antonio is Chile’s largest port and the busiest port on South

America’s west coast. Located on the shores of Central Chile at latitude 33º 35’

15’’S and longitude 71º 37’ 8’’W, it is nearest the country’s capital, Santiago.

Puerto San Antonio covers 495 hectares, including 353 hectares of water

and 142 hectares of land. Maximum depth of its waters is 12 meters. It has

excellent access to roads and rail to Santiago, southern Chile, and Argentina. It

is connected to Santiago by the Freeway of the Sun, a high-speed highway.

Chile’s most important port, Puerto San Antonio transferred over 12.6 million

tons of cargo in 2007.

The Port’s South Molo Terminal which specializes in handling

containerized cargo contains 31 hectares of paved storage for containerized and

bulk cargoes and 11 thousand square meters of warehouses with 800 reefer

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connections. The North Terminal dedicated to solid bulk cargoes handled about

1.8 million tons of cargo, making Puerto San Antonio the leading port in Chile for

solid bulks. The terminal has wharf of 230 meters with alongside depth of 11

meters. While the terminal specializes in solid bulk, it is not limited to that cargo

type. It can accommodate vessels up to 60 thousand DWT.

In 2007, Puerto San Antonio handled almost 651 thousand TEUs of

containerized cargo amounting to more than 6.5 million tons. It also handled one

million tons of loose cargo, four million tons of solid bulk, and 897 thousand tons

of liquid bulk. Imports arrived primarily from America (78.5%) and Asia (13.8%),

and exports went to America (51%), Asia (28.4%), and Europe (19.4%).

CHILEAN CUSTOMS

Socializing

Chilean traditional greetings include ¿Qui’ubo? (“What’s up?”), ¿Cómo

está? (“How are you?”), and ¡Gusto de verte! (“Nice to see you!”). Among the

Chileans, the affectionate abrazo is the most common greeting among friends

and relatives. It consists of a handshake and hug, sometimes supplemented

with a kiss to the right cheek for women or family members. When parting, the

abrazo is repeated with every member of a small gathering of friends or family.

Generally, a handshake is appropriate when meeting people for the first

time, and eye contact is important on all occasions. Titles are important when

addressing Chileans. Señor (“Mr.”), Señora (“Mrs.”), and Señorita (“Miss”) are

common for strangers and acquaintances, as are professional titles (Doctor,

Director, Profesora). Don and Doña are used with the person’s first name for

men and women, respectively, to show special respect and familiarity.

Much leisure time is spent socializing with family or friends, and weekend

barbecues are popular. Unlike the custom in some parts of South America,

guests usually wait outside the door of a home until invited inside. It is

appropriate to greet the head of the family first. Many people bring a gift of

flowers or wine when invited to dinner, while close friends may bring bread or

offer to provide dessert when asked to a meal. Informal conversation usually

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precedes any business discussion; political topics are best avoided unless

initiated by the host.

Family

Family authority is vested on the father as head of the family, but the

mother has considerable influence, and the relationship between husbands and

wives is generally one of reciprocity. Men have tended to dominate private and

public life in the past, but in recent years attitudes about the position and role of

women in society have been changing.

It is customary for Chileans to bear two family names. The father’s family

name, which is the official surname, precedes the mother’s family name. People

use either their full name or go by their father’s family name. Therefore, a

person named José Felipe Correa Pérez could be addressed as Señor Correa

or Señor Correa Pérez.

Most Chileans wait until they have finished their education before getting

married. Most men do not marry before age 22; most women marry between 18

and 23. Couples often date from one to three years before getting engaged.

Traditional Christian wedding ceremonies are common but divorce is legal.

Cuisine

Chilean cuisine are prepared with fish, seafood, chicken, beef, beans,

eggs, and maize. The main meal is usually eaten between 12:30 and 2:30 PM,

and a lighter meal between 8 and 10 PM. Many people also have a snack of

sandwiches and cookies or cakes in the afternoon. There are large

supermarkets in major cities. Traveling markets, or ferias, sell fresh fruits,

vegetables, meat, fish, and flowers in smaller cities and towns. What is eaten

depends on the region, but popular dishes include empanadas de horno, which

are meat turnovers with beef, hard-boiled eggs, onions, olives, and raisins;

pastel de choclo, a baked meal of beef, chicken, onions, maize, eggs, and

spices; cazuela de ave, chicken soup; and seafood casseroles and stews.

Children enjoy eating sopaipillas, which are made from a pumpkin dough, deep

fried, and sprinkled with sugar. Manjar, made by boiling an unopened can of

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sweetened condensed milk for hours, is used as a spread for bread and as a

baking ingredient.

Chileans generally converse freely at the table. Forks are normally held in

the left hand, knives in the right, and etiquette requires that both hands be kept

above the table during a meal. Offers of second helpings should be initially

refused, and finally accepted only if the host insists. When the meal is over,

guests are expected to stay for more conversation. In a restaurant, a waiter can

be summoned with a raised finger. As fast food increases in popularity, it is now

no longer unusual to see people eating while walking in public, although many

still consider it inappropriate.

Recreation

Popular recreational activities in Chile include sports, theater, music,

cinema, and television. Fútbol (soccer) is the most popular sport. During the

summer, many people travel to the coastal beaches or the countryside. In cattle-

raising areas, rodeo is very popular. The main event consists of a pair of

huasos, or cowboys, on horses trying to trap a steer against a padded arena

wall. Points are earned for the portion of the steer that is pinned.

PORT OF CARTAGENA

The Port of Cartagena lies at latitude 10º 24’ 12’’ N and longitude 75 º 31’

51’’W on the northern shores of Cartagena Bay on the northern Caribbean

shores of Colombia in South America. The Port is home to sugar and tobacco

processors and to manufactures of cosmetics, fertilizer, textiles, and leather

goods. The Port of Cartagena exports petroleum, manufactured goods, coffee,

and coal. The Port of Cartagena is home to many new high-rise buildings, but

the strong winds prevent the construction of skyscrapers. The Port of Cartagena

has also become a center for medical services as an alternative to the high

medical costs in other developed nations. People come to the Port of Cartagena

for plastic surgery, bariatric weight loss operations, and dental treatments.

In 2008, 1525 vessels called at the Port of Cartagena, including 702

container vessels, 210 cargo vessels, and 118 passenger vessels. The Port

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handled over nine million tons of cargo in 2008, including 5.4 million tons of

foreign cargoes and 3.7 million tons of domestic cargoes. Containers accounted

for almost all of cargo handled in the Port of Cartagena in 2008. The Port’s goal

is to achieve capacity to handle 2.5 million TEUs of containerized cargo per

year.

The Port of Cartagena contains eight wharves that operate 24 hours a

day, 365 days a year and can accommodate post-Panamax vessels. The Port

contains a total of 28.7 thousand square meters of cargo-handling and –storage

space with its Container Freight Station capacity for 2.6 thousand TUEs of

containerized cargo. The yard is 1.2 thousand square meters, and the emptying

yard has capacity for 30 TEUs. In 2007, the Port of Cartagena’s container

terminal was named the most outstanding seaport operation in the Caribbean by

the Caribbean Shipping Association.

PORT OF BUENAVENTURA

The Port of Buenaventura, Colombia’s main port on the Pacific Ocean lies

on 3º 52’ 59’’N latitude and 77º 3’ 19’’W longitude on Cascajal Island where the

Dagua River meets Buenaventura Bay. Buenaventura exports coffee and sugar

from the Cauca River valley, wood from southwest Colombia’s coastal forests,

and gold and platinum from the north. It receives oil by pipeline from Puerto

Berrio, and it is served by the Puerto Berrio-Popayan railroad.

The Port of Buenaventura handles a wide range of cargoes, including

containers and solid and liquid bulks. The container terminal has docks of 2000

meters which can serve vessels of up to 100 DWT. Terminal storage has

capacity for handling 10.5 thousand containers per day.

Facilities for solid bulks include silos with capacity for storing 160

thousand tons and handling 5.5 thousand tons per day. The solid bulk terminals

include sheds covering almost 35 thousand square meters and warehouse of

about 58 thousand meters. It also has covered parking for 300 vehicles.

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In 2008, the Port of Buenaventura imported almost 2.9 million tons of solid

bulk cargoes, over 577 thousand tons of general cargo, and 278 thousand tons

of liquid cargo. The Port exported over 519 thousand tons of coal, more than

136 thousand tons of general cargo, and about 70 thousand tons of solid bulk.

Over 1200 vessels moved through the Port of Buenaventura including 843

container vessels, 166 vessels carrying bulk cargoes, 106 with general cargoes,

102 carrying roll-on/roll-off cargoes, and 67 tankers. Handling over 457

thousand TEUs (8.9 million tons) of containerized cargo in 2007, almost 183

TEUs (6.6 million tons were imports, over 180 thousand TEUs (2.3 million tons)

were exports.

CUSTOMS OF COLOMBIA

Socializing

Common greetings include ¡Buenos días! (“Good day!”) and ¿Cómo está?

(“How are you?”); ¡Adiós! (“Good-bye!”) is used when parting. The most

common greeting is a not-too-vigorous handshake. Men often shake hands with

everyone when entering a home, greeting a group, or leaving. Women offer a

verbal greeting and may kiss each other on the cheek if they are acquainted.

Young people may also kiss on the cheek if they are good friends. The abrazo

(hug) is common between close friends or relatives. It is customary to use titles

(Señor, Señora, Doctor, among others) when being introduced. First names are

usually not used between strangers.

Customs vary among ethnic groups and between regions. In general,

friends and relatives may visit unannounced, especially in rural areas where

telephones are not widely available, but it is otherwise usual to call ahead or

make arrangements in advance. When invited for dinner, guests usually arrive

up to 30 minutes after the stated time. They may bring a small gift, but this is not

expected. When guests are leaving, it is normal for the host to accompany them

outside and even along the street.

Family

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Traditional values remain a strong influence on family relations—the

father feels obliged to provide for his family, while the mother is considered

responsible for most of the affairs of the home. An increasing number of women

work outside the home; almost half of the labor force is female. It is the custom

for a child to have two family names; the last name is the mother’s family name,

and the second-to-last name is the father’s family name. People use either their

full name or go by their father’s family name, which is the official surname.

Therefore, a person named José Muñoz Gómez would be called Señor Muñoz.

Many couples choose to live together as common law partners before or instead

of marriage. Marriage ceremonies generally follow Catholic traditions.

Cuisine

Soup, rice, meat, potatoes, salad, and beans are the staple foods. How

much and what people eat is largely determined by economic status, and there

are considerable regional variations in cuisine. Typical dishes include arroz con

pollo (rice with chicken); a soup made with cassava, maize, potatoes, and

chicken; a dish made with ground beef, sausage, red beans, fried banana, fried

egg, salt pork, and avocado; and sancocho, a meat and vegetable stew. Arepa

is a maize meal pancake. In parts of Colombia people eat guinea pig.

Breakfast often consists of fruit juice, coffee (which is the main crop grown

in Colombia) or hot chocolate, fruit, eggs, and bread. Lunch, is traditionally the

time when the family gathers for its main meal of the day. However, in urban

areas the main meal now tends to be eaten in the evening. Colombians value

good manners and restraint. Second helpings are usually declined, and it is

considered impolite to take anything to eat without first offering it to others. It is

also considered inappropriate to eat on the streets.

Recreation

Fútbol (soccer) is the most popular sport, but Colombians also enjoy

many others, including bicycle racing, swimming, track and field, volleyball,

basketball, and baseball. Many Colombians have access to the beach, and

some ski in the mountains. Wealthy individuals often belong to sport clubs

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offering golf and tennis. Bullfights also continue to draw crowds. In addition to

general socializing, people enjoy dancing and music.

PORT OF CALLAO

The Port of Callao is Peru's main commercial seaport just 12 kilometers

from downtown Lima (Spanish), the country's capital. The Port of Callao lies at

latitude 12º 2’ 43’’ S and longitude 77º 8’ 48’’ W, south of the Rimac River at

the tip of a peninsula protected by the offshore island of San Lorenzo and a

promontory. The Port of Callao exports mainly refined metals, minerals, fish

meal, and fish oil. Its principal imports are wheat, lumber, and machinery. The

Port is home to a wide range of industries that include breweries, fish meal

factories, and shipbuilding yards. The Port of Callao is also home to a large

naval base and the Jorge Chavez International Airport. It is also the site of

several islands that support a large colony of sea lions and seabirds in a

relatively pristine ecosystem.

The Port of Callao serves Peru's capital city of Lima and the rest of the

country through a network of roads that extend to the north and south and into

the central mountain region. Located in the Pacific Basin on Peru's central

coast, the Port of Callao holds an important strategic position on the inter-

oceanic routes for vessels crossing the Panama Canal and the Straits of

Magellan.

The Port of Callao covers over 47 hectares and contains over 3.6

kilometers of moorings at a depth of about 11 meters. The port contains almost

26.5 hectares of storage space, including 2.1 hectares of roofed area and 24.3

hectares for containers. It has capacity for storing 25.8 thousand metric tons of

grain.

In 2007, over 20.7 million metric tons of cargo passed through the Port of

Callao on 2367 vessels, with 16.4 million tons going through the Callao terminal.

Cargoes at the Callao Terminal included 9.6 million tons of imports, 5.4 million

tons of exports, 920.8 thousand tons of transshipments, and 440.7 thousand

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tons of cabotage. The Port of Callao handled 1.2 million TEUs of containerized

cargo, one million of those handled through the Callao Terminal.

In early 2009, DP World invested in the Muelle Norte Terminal at the Port

of Callao that will rebuild and restore the terminal facilities, creating a deep-

water facility with almost 1.3 kilometers of berths and 550 meters of side-feeder

berths that can accommodate as many as four post-Panamax vessels at the

same time. The revamped Port of Callao terminal will include a 73-hectares

storage facility with yard and ample cargo-handling equipment. The rebuilt

terminal will focus on handling some three million TEUs of containerized cargo

and will serve cruise ships.

PERUVIAN CUSTOMS

Socializing

Peruvian men and women shake hands when meeting and parting. Close

friends often greet each other with a kiss on one cheek. Men may greet close

friends with an abrazo (hug). An arm around the shoulder or a pat on the back is

a polite way to greet young people. First names are used among friends, but

elderly people and officials are referred to by their titles and last names.

The traditional welcome, Está en su casa (“You are in your house”),

reflects the character of Peruvian hospitality. Friends and relatives often drop in

on one another, but it is more important to make advance arrangements with

acquaintances. Refreshments are usually offered, but it is not impolite to decline

them. Visitors arriving after 5:30 PM are often invited to stay for Ionche, a light

meal around 6 PM. Special acknowledgment of the children in the home is

appreciated. Hosts do not expect visitors to bring a gift, but dinner guests often

bring flowers or wine.

Family

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Nuclear families in Peru have, on average, four children. The father is

considered the head of the family, while the mother looks after household

duties. An increasing number of women work outside the home, especially in

urban areas. Rural homes have few of the modern conveniences common in

more industrialized nations. There are also large urban neighborhoods that lack

utility services.

Men usually marry in their late 20s, and women in their early 20s. In rural

areas, people tend to marry earlier. Common-law marriages are prevalent and

widely accepted, except among the upper classes.

Cuisine

Cuisine in Peru varies from region to region. Popular foods include rice,

beans, fish, meat, potatoes, maize, sweet potatoes, and a variety of tropical

fruits, some of which are not well known outside of Peru. Soups are common,

and vegetables are eaten in season. Maize, native to Peru, is the staple for

Native Americans. Guinea pig is a traditional dish and is still eaten in some

areas. Ceviche (marinated shellfish) is popular on the coast. Potatoes, onions,

and garlic are often used in dishes in the highlands. Most food is purchased on

a daily basis, either in small corner shops (in cities) or in large open-air markets.

Bargaining is common in markets.

It is good manners to eat all the food that is provided, and a tactful

explanation is in order when something is left on the plate. Table manners are

considered important—both hands (but not elbows) are kept above the table at

all times. Meals are occasions for leisurely conversation.

Recreation

The most popular sport in Peru is soccer. Basketball, volleyball, and

gymnastics are also favorites. Other recreational activities include socializing,

family picnics, going to the cinema, or watching television. Sunday is a favorite

day for outings.

PORT OF RIO DE JANEIRO

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The Port of Rio de Janeiro lies at latitude 22º 52’ 59’’S and longitude 43º

11’ 48’’W, is the capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Known by many as A

Cidade Maravilhosa (The Marvelous City), the Port is famous for its natural

beauty, Carnaval, samba and bossa nova, and famous beaches like

Copacabana and Ipanema. Today, the Port of Rio de Janeiro is home to many

industries that produce chemicals and petroleum products, processed foods,

pharmaceuticals, textiles and clothing, furniture, metal products, and ships.

Even so, the service sector dominates the Port of Rio de Janeiro’s economy,

and tourism and entertainment are mainstays.

The Port of Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s third busiest port in terms of cargo

volume, and it is the center for cruise vessels. Located on the west coast of the

Guanabara Bay, it serves the Sates of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais,

and Espirito Santo. The Port of Rio de Janeiro contains almost seven thousand

meters of continuous wharf and an 883-meter pier. It also contains ten external

warehouses covering over 65 thousand square meters and eight covered yards

covering more than 11 thousand square meters with a capacity for storing 13

thousand tons of cargo.

In 2008, the Port of Rio de Janeiro handled over seven million tons of

cargo on almost 1700 vessels. It handled over two million tons of containerized

cargo in almost 171 thousand TEUs. The port handled 852 thousand tons of

wheat, more than 1.8 million tons of iron and steel, over a million tons of liquid

bulk cargo, almost 830 thousand tons of dry bulk, over five thousand tons of

paper goods, and over 78 thousand vehicles. Annually, over 91 thousand

passengers moved through the Port of Rio Janeiro on 83 cruise vessels.

PORT OF ITAJAI

The Port of Itajai in southern Brazil is at latitude 26º 53’ 28’’S and

longitude 48º 40’ 37’’W on the mouth of the Itajai River just six meters above

sea level. The Port exports manufactured goods (cotton textiles and wrapping

paper) and a variety of agricultural crops including cassava, tobacco, sassafras,

starch, vegetable oil, and lumber. The Port plays an important role in the

globalization of the economy, and it attracts companies and goods from the

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international market. Containing over 15 thousand square meters for storage of

general cargo and 38 thousand square meters for containerized cargo, the Port

of Itajai is equipped with the latest cargo-handling and security technologies. It

was the first port in Latin America to establish an Internet presence.

The Port of Itajai has become the third largest container port with 90% of

the cargo passing through the port was in containers. It is one of Brazil’s busiest

ports serving as a model for other Brazilian ports, particularly in the handling of

containerized and frozen/chilled cargoes. It has more container refers than any

other Latin American Port.

PORT OF SANTOS

The Port of Santos is located on the alluvial plain of Sao Vicente Island

in the State of Sao Paulo in Brazil. Just a few feet above sea level, at latitude

23º 58’ 8’’S and longitude 46º 18’ 3’’W, its shores of a bay is deep enough for

the biggest ships to anchor its docks totaling six kilometers in length that can

serve 50 ships at once.

As of 2006, it is the busiest container and one of the largest ports in Latin

America with over 76 million tons of cargo passing through the Port, and with

over 5600 vessels carrying over 52 million tons of exports and 24 million tons of

imports. These shipments included over 1.6 million TEUs of containerized

cargo. The major cargoes were exports of sugar (12.9 million tons) and soya

grains (7.2 million tons), with smaller quantities of pellets, alcohol, fuel oil, and

orange juice. Coffee exports in 2006 were over 926 thousand tons. Major

imports through the Port of Santos included fertilizers (2.3 million tons), wheat

(1.4 million tons), and liquefied petroleum gas (520 thousand tons).

The Port covers more than 7.7 million square meters and contains 9.4

thousand meters of public docks. In 2008, most vessels carried general cargo

through the port, while liquid bulk and container vessels also visited the port.

BRAZILIAN CUSTOMS

Socializing

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Common greetings are Como vai? (“How are you?”) and Tudo bern? (“Is

everything fine?”). Friends may greet each other with a simple Oi (“Hi”). When

joining or leaving a small group, it is polite to shake hands with everyone

present. Tcháu (“Good-bye”) or Até logo (“See you soon”) are common terms for

parting.

Brazilians greet each other with a handshake, but good friends often

embrace. Women often kiss each other on both cheeks, although in reality they

may actually only touch cheeks and kiss the air. Brazil’s mild tropical climate

allows for much time outdoors. Many homes are built with open but shaded

patios and interior courtyards. Sidewalk cafés and garden restaurants are

common. People often eat a late dinner and socialize late into the evening.

Family

The Brazilian family is traditionally large. The tradition of male authority in

the Brazilian family is gradually giving way to more equality between the sexes,

and more careers outside the home are becoming available for women.

Maternal and paternal sides of the family are considered equally important. The

elderly who cannot care for themselves live with their children; it is considered

improper to send them to a nursing home. Children usually leave home when

they marry, and male children may leave sooner for employment reasons.

Family members rely on one another for assistance, and young people often

work outside the home to help support their families.

For a wedding to be official, a legal civil ceremony must be performed.

Many Brazilians also have a religious ceremony. Wedding parties are often

elaborate, with much food, drink, and music. Common-law marriages are not

unusual.

Cuisine

Breakfast usually consists of café com leite (coffee with milk), bread,

cheese or marmalade, and butter. Lunch and dinner may include beans, rice,

meat, salad, fruit, potatoes, and bread. Conversation following a meal often

takes place over a cafezinho, a small cup of thick, black coffee. Cafezinho may

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be drunk several times a day. In restaurants, the bill is requested with the

phrase A conta, por favor.

Cuisine varies from region to region. In Bahia and other northern states

where there is a strong African influence, foods are often flavored with dendé

(palm) oil. In Rio de Janeiro, a popular dish is feijoada, which originated as a

clever way of using up small quantities of leftover meats and is made from black

beans with beef, pork, sausage, tongue, and sometimes a pig’s ears, nose, and

tail. People in the south enjoy churrasco, a barbecue with a variety of meats.

Bife a cavalo com fritas (meat with egg and fried potatoes) is popular in many

areas. In addition to coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks, Brazilians in the south drink

chimarrão, an herbal tea without sugar. Batidas (shakes) made of fruit juices

and alcohol are also popular.

Recreation

Brazilians are so passionate about soccer that businesses and schools

may close during important international matches. The national sport, futebol

(soccer), was introduced to Brazil around the time of World War I (1914-1918)

by Scottish railway engineers. Brazil’s national team has been one of the best in

the world for many years. The national team has several World Cup victories to

its credit. Fans from different clubs usually mingle peacefully inside the grounds

of the stadiums, although in recent years soccer rivalries have sometimes

sparked violence in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Other popular sports include basketball, volleyball, tennis, boating,

swimming, and auto racing. Other leisure activities include going to the beach,

socializing, watching television and films, dancing, and listening to music.

Regional festivals and traditional dances are often lively events.

PORT OF BUENOS AIRES

The Port of Buenos Aires rests on an estuary of the Rio de la Plata in

Argentina about 240 kilometers from the river's mouth to the Atlantic Ocean. It is

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located on latitude 34º 35’ 57’’S and longitude 58º 22’ 17’’W. The Port is

Argentina's cultural, industrial, commercial, and financial heart. Its connections

to Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay by a system of navigable rivers make it a

distribution hub for much of the South American continent.

Manufacturing is an important component of the Port of Buenos Aires

economy that produces meat, dairy, wool, leather, grain, and tobacco products,

as are agricultural and industrial activities outside the city limits. Other major

industries in the Port of Buenos Aires include oil refining, machine building,

automobile manufacturing, and metalworking as well as manufacturing of

textiles, clothing, beverages, and chemicals.

The Port of Buenos Aires is South America's biggest port, receiving ships

from all over the world bringing consumer goods and machinery and taking

away agricultural products and by-products. However, because the facilities are

inefficient and old, long lines of trucks wait at the port to transfer their cargoes to

ships that anchor offshore, waiting to travel the port's narrow approach channel.

In 2008, the Port of Buenos Aires served 2228 vessels carrying a total of

12.7 million tons of cargo including 6.8 million tons of imports and 5.9 million

tons of exports. The majority of cargo was general cargo (10.8 million tons),

while imports included liquid bulk and exports included solid bulk cargoes.

Containers (10.3 million tons in over 1.1 million TEUs) dominated the cargoes

through the Port of Buenos Aires in 2008.

CUSTOMS OF ARGENTINA

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Socializing

The Spanish ¡Buenos días! (“Good morning”— ¡Buen día! in Buenos

Aires) or ¡Buenas tardes! (“Good afternoon”) are appropriate terms when

passing on the street or greeting friends and acquaintances. Chau and hasta

luego are common phrases for goodbye. When being introduced, it is customary

to address people by a title such as Señor (“Mr.”) or Señora (“Mrs.”), and people

may shake hands. A brief embrace with a kiss on the cheek is a common

greeting between women or between a man and woman who are well

acquainted. When approaching officials for information, one should always greet

them before asking any questions. Eye contact is considered important, and it is

not unusual for Argentines to touch each other or stand close in conversation.

Argentines often visit friends and relatives without prior arrangement.

People enjoy having guests in the home and usually offer them refreshments

such as espresso-style coffee, tea, or maté. Drinking maté is an important

cultural tradition, and is surrounded by a number of informal rituals—for

example, the container it is served from is passed around from person to

person. There is a relaxed attitude toward punctuality and even if guests arrive

as much as an hour after the stated time, it is unlikely to cause offense.

Family

The nuclear family predominates in Argentina. Grown children commonly

live in the same city or town as their parents. Women exert great influence on

family decisions with great responsibility for raising children. An increasing

number of women are working outside the home. Divorce, having been legalized

in 1987 has steadily increased.

Most couples marry in their 20s, after dating for a number of years.

Weddings are usually very elaborate, involving both a civil and a church

ceremony, and a large reception with dinner and dancing. Gifts are not brought

to the reception but are purchased at and delivered by a gift shop where the

couple has registered.

Cuisine

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Traditionally, an Argentines’ main meal is in the middle of the day, but

many of those who work in cities now have it in the evening. Argentine eating

habits and table manners have been influenced by European customs. People

hold their forks with the left hand. Eating in the street or on public transportation

is considered inappropriate.

Argentines eat more beef per capita than any other people in the world.

Because Argentina is a major beef producer, domestic prices are low enough for

most people to eat beef every day, and many people entertain on weekends

with an asado, or barbecue. Popular foods include empanadas, which are pies

made with meat or vegetables; and milanesas, or breaded veal cutlets. A

preferred winter stew is locro, made of meat, maize, and potatoes. The

government and health officials are encouraging lower beef consumption for

health reasons. Dulce de leche is caramelized milk, an Argentine specialty and

popular sweet. Maté is a popular hot drink, similar to tea. Italian and French

foods are widely available.

Recreation

Soccer is the national sport and is enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Other popular sports include rugby, tennis, and golf. Field hockey is popular

among women. The Teatro Colón, a fine opera house, is located in Buenos

Aires, as are many late-night theaters, restaurants, and clubs. Dancing at clubs

is popular among young people on weekends, and enthusiasts stay out late into

the night.

PUERTO DE MONTEVIDEO

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Lying on the shores of the Rio de la Plata estuary at latitude 34º 54’ 2’’S

and longitude 56º 12’ 24’’W, the Puerto de Montevideo is Uruguay's main city

and capital. It handles almost all of the country's foreign trade, including its

exports of meat, hides, and wool. The hub of the country's international transport

network, it contains not only the port but an international airport and the

crossroads of four railroads. Today, the Puerto de Montevideo is the only place

where Uruguayans can get higher education at the 1849 University of the

Republic (Spanish) and the Uruguay Workers' University (Spanish) offering

vocational training.

In 2008, over 5.2 thousand vessels called at the Puerto de Montevideo.

Many of these (1827) were fishing vessels under the Uruguay flag and flags of

other nations (525). The Puerto also received 819 container vessels, 288

cabotage vessels, 245 petroleum vessels, 223 general cargo vessels, 113

barges, 111 bulk vessels, and 101 cruise ships carrying 122 thousand cruise

passengers.

The Puerto handled a total of almost 9.1 million tons of cargo, including

5.7 million tons of containerized cargo, 2.5 million tons of bulk cargo, and 967.3

thousand tons of general cargo. Of the total 9.1 million tons, 3.5 million tons

were imports, and 5.6 million tons were imports. It operates 24 hours a day, 365

days a year with dependable quality services. Its access to interior lands is

facilitated by river, road, and rail with Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia.

The Puerto de Montevideo's access channel has two sections and is protected

by two breakwaters.

The Puerto de Montevideo has 13 wharves with a total length of almost

3.8 thousand meters and alongside depths of five and ten meters. The Muelle

de Escala is 288 meters long with alongside depth of 10 meters and handles

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containers. The adjacent container terminal covers 10 hectares of land area.

The Muelle Fluvial, adjacent to the container terminal, is 353 meters long with

alongside depth of five meters. The wharf is reserved for the use of Uruguay's

Navy.

CUSTOMS OF URUGUAY

Socializing

Uruguayans’ most common way to greet someone is with a warm, firm

handshake. Verbal greetings depend on the time of day or situation. ¡Hola! (“Hi”)

is common for a casual greeting at any time. ¡Buen día! (“Good day”) is more

formal. Among friends or people they know well, however, women generally

brush cheeks and “kiss the air,” and men might use an abrazo (hearty hug). In

cities people do not generally greet strangers when passing on the street, but in

rural areas they are more likely to do so. At a social function it is usual to greet

every member of a small group individually. Close friends and family members

address each other by their first names, but in general people use professional

titles or Señor (“Mr.”), Señora (“Mrs.”), or Señorita (“Miss”) with the family name.

People prefer that visits be arranged in advance, and it is impolite to call on

someone unexpectedly during mealtime. Uruguayans are considerate hosts,

and they expect their guests to show respect by making clear their appreciation

of the hosts’ hospitality and by not making themselves too much at home.

Family

The average family has two children. Most families rent rather than own

their house or apartment. Although extended families do not live together, they

play an important role in the social lives of Uruguayans. The father is considered

the head of the family and rarely does any household work. Many women work

or study outside the home.

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Traditionally, a man must seek a woman’s parents’ approval before getting

engaged. Both families play a large role in preparing for the wedding, and the

two families often associate closely after their children are married. The

marriage reception usually includes a formal, catered party from which the

couple generally leaves early.

Cuisine

Uruguayans eat a small breakfast and have their main meal at midday.

When possible, many workers go home for this meal. The evening meal is

usually eaten after 8 PM and sometimes much later. Children usually have a

snack when they get home from school.

Although fish, seafood, and meats such as chicken and pork are eaten in

Uruguay, beef is central to the diet. It is served in a variety of ways, of which

asado (barbecued beef) is one of the most common. Costillas (chops),

milanesas (veal cutlets), and chivitos (steak burgers) are also popular, along

with roasts, stews, and meat pies. A wide variety of vegetables and fruits are

available. Snack foods include media lunas mixtas (a type of croissant filled with

cheese and ham), panchos (sausages), and húngaros (spicy sausages).

Basic eating habits are changing in urban areas to accommodate

cosmopolitan schedules, traditionally Uruguayans keep their hands (not elbows)

above the table, not in the lap, during meals. When finished eating, a person

usually places the utensils side by side on the plate. It is common to wipe the

plate clean with bread when finishing.

Recreation

Fútbol (soccer) is the national sport. Basketball, volleyball, swimming, and

other water sports are also popular, and domos (rodeos) draw crowds.

Uruguayans also enjoy going to the cinema, watching television, and attending

cultural events. Going to the beach is very popular, especially during summer

holidays.

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MODULE

MAJOR PORTS OF OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA

PORT OF BRISBANE

The Port of Brisbane lies on Australia's eastern shores at the mouth of the

Brisbane River at latitude 27º 22’ 57’’S and longitude 153º 10’ 10”E . Being the

major port for the State of Queensland, it exports dairy products, wool, grain,

meat, mineral sands, sugar, and preserved foods. Plants in the Port of Brisbane

include food processors, sawmills, oil refineries, paper mills, shipyards, and

manufacturers of fertilizers, cement, automobiles, and rubber products.

In the 2007-2008 shipping season, the Port of Brisbane welcomed 2618

vessels carrying more than three million tons of cargo, including over 1.6 million

tons of imports, almost 1.4 million tons of exports, and 123.6 thousand tons of

transshipments. The Port‘s container traffic of 864.3 thousand tons in 95

thousand TEUs included 46.9 thousand TEUs of imports and 48.1 thousand

TEUs of exports.

The major imports included crude oil (613.6 thousand tons), cement

(235.8 thousand tons), refined oil (167.4 thousand tons), and retail goods (133.0

thousand tons) as well a smaller volumes of iron and steel, building products,

timber, fertilizers and chemicals, paper and wood pulp, and motor vehicles.

Major export cargoes included coal (489.5 thousand tons) and refined oil (162.2

thousand tons) as well as smaller volumes of cereals, cotton, meat products,

iron and steel, timber, and woodchips.

The Port of Brisbane contains 27 berths: six berths handling containers;

five berths for oil; five for general cargo and motor vehicles; two berths handling

chemicals and fertilizers, two for liquid bulk cargoes, two fit-out berths and one

berth for each of the following cargoes: grain, woodchips, and cottonseed; grain,

dry bulk, and general cargo; clinker; coal and clinker; sugar, and cruise vessels.

The Port of Brisbane Multi-modal Terminal (BMT) provides the interface

between the port's container terminals and the country's road and rail networks.

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Located behind the container terminals, the BMT moves large volumes of cargo

through the port via the QR National and Pacific National railroads that connect

the Port of Brisbane to important regional centers in Queensland and to the

Ports of Sydney and Melbourne.

PORT OF ADELAIDE

The Port of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is located at latitude

34º 47’ 57’’S and longitude 138º 30’ 45”E at the base of the Mount Lofty Range.

The Port is the main shipping service point in South Australia, and it’s a gateway

to the world in a time of increasing exports of grains, motor vehicles, automotive

components, ores, concentrates, and wine. The Port covers an Inner and Outer

Harbor and contains more than 20 wharves.

During the 2007-2008 year, over 10 million tons of cargo passed through

the Port of Adelaide, including 5.6 million tons of overseas imports and exports.

Petroleum imports increased to 2.2 million tons in the same period. The Port’s

primary export destinations are the Middle East and Asia, while its primary

import partners are the United States and North and Southeast Asia.

The principal commodities handled in the Port of Adelaide include grains

and seeds, limestone, petroleum and petroleum products, motor vehicles,

containers, metals, cement, fertilizers, logs, iron and steel, breakbulk and

general cargoes, mineral sands and concentrates, livestock, and agricultural

commodities.

The Port of Adelaide’s Inner Harbor handles roll-on/roll-off and bulk

cargoes that include meat, grains, fruit, wool, malt, soda ash, cement clinker,

iron and steel scrap, non-ferrous metals, tallow, and a wide range of

manufactured goods. The Inner Harbor has modern facilities for the import of

timber, refined petroleum, sulphur, fertilizer, paper products, iron and steel, and

motor vehicles.

The Outer Harbor contains six berths equipped to handle specialized

cargoes including motor vehicles, roll-on/roll-off and general cargo, and

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livestock. The Adelaide Container Terminal in the Outer Harbor is an efficient

state-of-the-art facility for container cargo. The Outer Harbor contains intermodal

facilities to integrate the container terminal with the country’s rail and road

networks.

PORT OF DARWIN

Port of Darwin is the main port and capital of Australia’s Northern

Territory. Located at latitude 12º 28’ 13”S and longitude 130º 51’28”E on

Australia’s north central coast, the Port is an inlet of Beagle Gulf off the Timor

Sea. Its economy depends on a combination of government business and a

variety of local industries that include tile and brick-making, oil exploration,

uranium, fruit growing, exporting cattle, and pearls.

Port Darwin has been the major cattle export port for many years and is

becoming the regional base for oil and gas. It is connected to the rest of

Australia through the network of road and rail and to the rest of the world by sea

and a modern international airport.

Shipping year 2007-2008, the Port handled 1.5 million tons of cargo on

4,717 vessel calls, including over 819 thousand tons of imports and almost 642

thousand tons of exports. Imports were dominated by petroleum, automotive

distillates, other fuels, dry bulk, and cement. Overseas exports were dominated

by manganese, dry bulk, and livestock.

The Port’s facilities can accommodate the full range of cargoes. The Iron

Ore Wharf has a berth 142 meters long with east and west mooring dolphin and

alongside depth of 11.8 meters. The Inner Stokes Hill Wharf can handle vessels

up to 70 meters, such as research vessels, prawn trawlers, pleasure boats, and

tug. It offers 280 meters of berth and low-water depth of 4.5 meters. The wharf

also contains a large $1.5 million facility with 840 square meters of air-

conditioned decking and a 160-square meter external deck with covered

walkways.

PORT OF MELBOURNE

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The Port of Melbourne is Australia's second biggest city and the capital of

the State of Victoria. It is located at latitude 37º 49’ 58”S and longitude 144º 55’

3”E on the mouth of the Yarra River where it enters the northern end of Port

Phillip Bay. It is the busiest seaport in Australia, handling almost 40% of the

country's container traffic, and home to much of the country's automotive

industry. It is also an important manufacturing, financial, and business center.

The Port of Melbourne is an increasingly-important center for technology, with

more than 60 thousand people employed in the information and communications

technology sector.

The Port of Melbourne contains 34 commercial berths and two modern

international container terminals. Its multi-purpose berths handle a wide range

of cargoes that includes motor vehicles and timber. The specialized berths in the

Port of Melbourne handle dry cargoes that include grain, cement, gypsum,

sugar, and fly ash. The specialized liquid cargo berths handle cargoes that

range from petrochemicals and crude oil to molasses. The Port's Swanson Dock

berths can accommodate vessels to 290 meters long with maximum draft of

12.1 meters.

The Port of Melbourne is the largest container and general cargo port in

Australia. Some 3200 ships call at the Port of Melbourne each year. The port

handles about 38% of the container trade in the country, serving 42 container

shipping lines and many general cargo carriers. Serving the Port of Melbourne's

Cruise Ship Terminal, the Outer East and Outer West berths serve cruise ships

and are 223 and 305 meters long, respectively. Station Pier Inner West can

accommodate cruise vessels to 105 meters long with maximum draft of 7.4

meters, and Station Pier Outer West accommodates vessels to 350 meters long

with maximum draft of 10.3 meters. Today, the Station Pier in the Port of

Melbourne entertains over 500 thousand passengers each year.

FREMANTLE PORT

Fremantle Port is the most important port in Western Australia and one of

Australia’s largest ports. Part of the Perth metropolitan area, it is located at

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latitude 32º 2’ 51”S and longitude 115º 44’ 27”E at the mouth of the Swan River

on the Indian Ocean.

Fremantle Port is an important industrial center with a diverse

manufacturing industry that includes fertilizer, ships, steel, automobiles,

petroleum products, and aluminum among many other products. It is the busiest

and biggest port for general cargo in Western Australia. The port consists of the

Fremantle Inner Harbor and the Outer Harbor which is about 20 kilometers to

the south at Kwinana. The Port handles about 28 billion tons of cargo each year,

representing $24 billion in trade. Fremantle Port is frequently the first, or the last,

port of call for overseas vessels.

Fremantle Port’s Outer Harbor (at Kwinana) is an important bulk cargo

port that handles fertilizers, sulphur, and bulk liquids. The Kwinana Bulk

Terminal serves ships in loading/unloading cement clinker, liquefied petroleum

gas, and silica. Both Fremantle’s North Quay and the Kwinana Quay are linked

by rail to the country’s rail networks.

Fremantle Port covers about 155 hectares of land in the Inner Harbor and

57 hectares in the Outer Harbor. The Inner Harbor includes Victoria Quay, North

Quay, and the Rous Head Industrial Park. The largest, North Quay, contains two

container terminals and several general cargo berths used for breakbulk and

liquid bulk cargoes. North Quay also has 811 meters of common-user wharf with

four heavy-duty berths with a depth of 11 meters and good road access.

Being the closest major Australian port to Singapore and a gateway to the

exotic world of Southeastern Asia, Fremantle Port is a popular cruise

destination.

PORT OF SYDNEY

The Port of Sydney rests on the inlet of the Tasman Sea at 33º 51’44”S

latitude and 151º 11’ 33”E longitude in the low hills that surround Port Jackson

on Australia's eastern shores. Capital of the State of New South Wales, the Port

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of Sydney is one of South Pacific's the most important ports and the largest and

oldest city in Australia.

The largest sectors in the Port of Sydney include business and property

services, manufacturing, retail sales, and community and health services. The

Port is one of the busiest financial centers in the Asia Pacific region.

In the 2008-2009 shipping year, the Port of Sydney handled a total of 1.5

million TEUs of containerized cargo, including 748.6 thousand full TEU imports

dominated by cargoes from East Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia and 315.4

thousand full TEU exports dominated by chemical products, machinery,

transport equipment, timber, cereals, and textiles. During the same period, non-

containerized imports of 10.7 million tons arrived at the Port of Sydney, and 580

thousand tons of non-containerized exports left the port.

The Port of Sydney's commercial wharves are less than 10 kilometers

from the world's ocean-going trade routes. The port contains 15 berths that

handle liquid and dry bulk and general cargoes and motor vehicles. The Port of

Sydney's facilities cover 62 hectares in Darling Harbour and at Glebe

Island/White Bay. Blackwattle Bay and Gore Cove are home to private port

facilities. The Port of Sydney is also one of the world's most popular cruise ship

destinations. Wharf 8 at Darling Harbour and Circular Quay's Overseas

Passenger Terminal house the two dedicated cruise terminals in the Port of

Sydney.

AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS

Socializing

Australians greet friends with a casual “Hi” or G’day (“Good day”) and a

handshake. More formal greetings involve a simple “Hello, how are you?” Most

adults prefer to use first names, even with those they have just met, but children

use the terms 'Mr.,' 'Miss,' and 'Ms.' with their elders. Australians frequently

entertain in the home, often hosting barbecues. Guests are greeted warmly, and

Australians tend to be informal hosts.

Family

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The average family has two or three children with family life similar to

Western Europe and North America, with many working mothers. Women and

men are generally treated equally with the same amount of education earning

fairly equal wages. Women make up almost half of the workforce. Many

couples live together before instead of getting married, and there has been an

increase in the number of single-parent families. Couples generally marry in

their 20s. Church weddings are still the norm.

Cuisine

Australia’s cosmopolitan ethnic mix has brought with it a range of

cuisine, and Asian food is now widely available. Most people eat their main meal

in the evening. The evening meal is usually called dinner, although some

(mostly older) people may refer to it as tea. A wide range of fruits and

vegetables is available year-round. Fast-food outlets are popular. Popular

snacks include meat pies and sausage rolls.

Recreation

Australians have a passion for sports, and outdoor activities are an

important part of Australian life. Australian Rules football is the country’s main

spectator sport, followed by rugby and cricket. Australians also enjoy a wide

range of other sports and outdoor pursuits, including basketball, netball (similar

to basketball, but played almost exclusively by women), cycling, bush walking

(hiking), golf, tennis, and lawn bowls. With the majority of Australians living on or

near the coast, there is great enthusiasm for sailing, surfing, swimming, and

fishing.

PORTS OF AUCKLAND

The Ports of Auckland consists of two seaports: one on the east coast

near Auckland's central business district and the other on the west coast in

Onehunga. It is located on the North Island of New Zealand at latitude 36º 50’

11”S and longitude 174º 46’16”E. Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and

seaport. The Ports of Auckland is the economic center, a hub of road and rail

transportation, and it is home to the country's main international airport. The

Ports’ area contains important engineering and publishing companies, and its

manufacturers produce glass, paint, plastics, cement, and a host of consumer

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goods. Food processing, sugar refining, and brewing are important to the local

economy, as are vehicle assembly and shipbuilding.

Today, the Ports of Auckland is the country's biggest international

container port. The Port operates 24 hours a day throughout the year and

services over 1700 ship calls, 4 million tons of breakbulk cargo, and over 770

thousand TEUs of containerized cargo each year. It is responsible for ensuring

an efficient supply chain for containers and developing container hub

operations.

In 2008, over 1700 vessels called at the Ports and handled an all-time

record of 840 thousand TEUs of containerized cargo and $23 billion in imports

and exports. It also handled 3.6 million tons of non-containerized bulk and

breakbulk cargoes that included over 173 thousand vehicles. The Ports of

Auckland also served 70 cruise ship calls by 30 cruise liners in 2008.

The Ports of Auckland's general wharves, with three kilometers of berths,

are used for breakbulk cargoes that include timber, steel, liquid and dry bulk,

vehicles, and containers. They include seven wharves, six of them near the

Auckland central business district and one in Onehunga on the Manukau

Harbour. Many vessels calling at the Ports of Auckland's general wharves carry

cargoes to/from the Pacific Islands.

The Ports of Auckland contains two world-class terminals for containers.

Each terminal has ample cargo-handling equipment and state-of-the-art

container tracking systems. New Zealand's biggest and most advanced

container terminal is the Fergusson Container Terminal. This covers 32 hectares

and contains 610 meters of berths and equipped with five post-Panamax ship-

to-shore cranes. The Ports of Auckland can service more container ships at the

same time than can any other port in New Zealand.

PORT OF WELLINGTON

The Port of Wellington lies at latitude 41º 16’ 39”S and longitude 174º 47’

37”E on the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island. It is the capital of New

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Zealand, an important commercial center, and a busy seaport. Wellington

Harbour is one of the world’s best harbors, with Cook Strait as the small

entrance to the sheltered harbor that protects the Port of Wellington from winds

and weather. As New Zealand’s hub for communications and transportation, the

Port of Wellington is linked to inland North Island by road and rail. The Port of

Wellington supports domestic and international trade. Imports coming to the Port

of Wellington include petroleum products, minerals, and vehicles, while the port

exports meat and dairy products, wood products, fruit, and wool. The economy

of the city is based on business services, finance, and government, but tourism

is important. The Port of Wellington is also home to a growing film industry.

New Zealand depends on its seaports to be connected to the rest of the

world. The Port of Wellington supports both regional and national economic

prosperity. In 2008, the Port of Wellington handled a record 89 thousand TEUs

and 10.3 million tons of cargo carried on over 5000 vessels. The Port contains

conventional cargo wharves, a fully-equipped modern Container Terminal, and

an international cruise terminal. It also offers the latest cold stores, container

repair and storage, and specialized services and facilities to handle and store a

wide range of cargo types.

The Port of Wellington Container Terminal has two berths of 293 meters

in length that can accommodate vessels with 11 meters (Berth 1) and 10.7

meters (Berth 2) draft. There is no limit on the length of vessels using the berths.

The terminal can accommodate 2200 TEUs and has capacity for 800

refrigerated containers.

The Container Depot at the Port has a rail siding capacity for 60 wagons

carrying 120 TEUs. The Depot contains 2.5 hectares of storage capacity for

3000 TEUs. The facilities include space for covered repairs, washing facilities

for 180 TEUs, and a reefer pre-trip facility for 68 TEUs. Its International Cruise

Terminal offers the full range of services including 24-hour security, border

control inspections, entertainment, and baggage-handling.

CUSTOMS OF NEW ZEALAND

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Socializing

It is customary for New Zealanders to shake hands when meeting

someone (in formal circumstances, a man normally waits for a woman to offer

her hand first), and first names are commonly used after an initial introduction.

Informal greetings include the New Zealand version of “Good day,” pronounced

Gidday, or a simple “Hello” or “Hi” The Maori may greet each other with a hug or

the traditional hongi—pressing noses together with eyes closed and making a

low “mm-mm” sound. The Maori greeting Kia Ora, which is a wish for good

health, is now becoming far more widely used among the population in general

(and in the tourism industry in particular). “Kia Ora” may be answered with the

same.

New Zealanders frequently entertain in the home, and barbies

(barbecues) are especially popular on summer weekends. There are few formal

codes of etiquette, and social relations are generally casual. New Zealanders

have a reputation for genuine hospitality toward visitors, and often invite people

into their homes soon after making their acquaintance.

Family

The extended family among the Maori remains important, and several

generations may live in the same house. Also important to the Maori is the

community center, called the marae, where ceremonies, meetings, and

recreational activities take place.

Families with European origin tend to be small, and most own their

homes. Many young adults leave for several years to travel and work in other

countries (often the United Kingdom). This time spent abroad is commonly

referred to as OE (Overseas Experience). Even those who emigrate for good

tend to retain close contact with their families in New Zealand. There has been

an increase in recent years in the number of couples living together without

being married, the number of single mothers, and the number of women working

outside the home. Weddings are often followed by a sit-down meal and dancing.

Cuisine

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Most of New Zealanders generally eat three meals a day and still enjoy

the British traditions of a morning cup of tea and afternoon tea. The main meal is

usually in the evening between, while the traditional British-style big breakfasts

and hearty meals of meat and potatoes have gradually given way to a more

diverse and health-conscious diet. New Zealanders who have long eaten beef,

pork, mutton, and fish, are now eating more poultry. Fruit is plentiful, as are

dairy products. New Zealand produces fine wines, and beer is a popular

beverage. Popular takeout foods at lunchtime include meat pies, sandwiches,

and filled bread rolls. In addition to the more traditional fish and chips wrapped

in newspaper, Chinese food, pizza, hamburgers, and fried chicken are all

available for a takeout dinner,. In the main cities, restaurants serve a wide range

of cuisine, including Thai, Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Mexican.

Recreation

Rugby is the most popular spectator sport. Women’s netball and rugby

league are also popular winter spectator sports. Yachting has a large following

with some New Zealanders who are active fans of horseracing.

Rugby is the most popular sport for participants in the winter, followed by

soccer. In summer, cricket takes over. Many other sports are enjoyed during the

year, including tennis, lawn bowling, track and field (called “athletics” in New

Zealand), golf, horseback riding, swimming, and sailing (many families own a

boat of some kind). There are also considerable opportunities for tramping

(hiking), cycling, mountaineering, walking, and fishing (both deep-sea and

freshwater), and some opportunities for hunting.

Other recreational activities include home improvements, gardening, watching

television, and socializing at home or in a pub. New Zealanders may also spend

weekends in their holiday homes or seaside cabins—known as bachs in the

North Island and cribs in the South Island.