This book delivers stimulating input for a broad range of researchers, from geographers and ecologists to psychologists interested in spatial perception and physicists researching in complex systems. How can one decide whether one surface or spatial object is more complex than another? What does it require to measure the spatial complexity of small maps, and why does this matter for nature, science and technology? Drawing from algorithmics, geometry, topology, probability and informatics, and with examples from everyday life, the reader is invited to cross the borders into the bewildering realm of spatial complexity, as it emerges from the study of geographic maps, landscapes, surfaces, knots, 3D and 4D objects. The mathematical and cartographic experiments described in this book lead to hypotheses and enigmas with ramifications in aesthetics and epistemology.

This book highlights the main features of the economic, commercial, political, fiscal and financial systems of each of the ASEAN countries from a domestic and an international point of view. Moreover, it analyses the most relevant international treaties signed by ASEAN's members. Published after the 50th anniversary of ASEAN to promote the association, the book is a valuable tool for practitioners who are interested in developing economic activities or investments in this area.

North, south, east and west: almost all societies use the four cardinal directions to orientate themselves, to understand who they are by projecting where they are. For millennia, these four directions have been foundational to our travel, navigation and exploration and are central to the imaginative, moral and political geography of virtually every culture in the world. Yet they are far more subjective than we might realise. The Four Points of the Compass takes the reader on a journey of directional discovery. Jerry Brotton reveals why Hebrew culture privileges east; why the Renaissance Europeans began drawing north at the top of their maps; why the imperial Chinese revered the south; why the Aztecs used five colour-coded cardinal directions; and why no societies, primitive or modern, have ever orientated themselves westwards, the direction of darkness. He ends by reflecting on our digital age in which we, the little blue dot on the screen, have become the most important compass point. Throughout, Brotton shows that the directions reflect a human desire to create order and that they only have meaning, literally and metaphorically, depending on where you stand.

Established in 1905, The Forest Service is steeped in history, conflict, strong personalities (including Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot), and the challenges of managing 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. This unique federal agency is one that combines forest management with wildlife, fish, recreation, mining, grazing, and hundreds of other uses. It operates in the midst of controversy and change. The original intent was to protect the public forests, protect the water supplies, and, when appropriate, provide timber. Much has changed over the last 100 years including many new laws, but the fact that these lands are still fought over today shows the foresight of politicians, foresters, scientists, and communities. This work brings to light the many and varied activities of the agency that many people know little about in a world that is constantly changing. Written by a former Forest Service national historian, topics discussed in the work include wilderness and the Wilderness Act of 1964, recreation battles and interagency rivalry with the National Park Service, timber management including clearcutting, ecosystem management, roadless area and controversies over RARE and RARE II studies, fish and wildlife management including endangered species before and after the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and mining and the General Mining Act of 1872. It also discusses the future challenges: forest fires, water protection and restoration, recreation, involving the public, and fish and wildlife.

"Not an Empty Promise" gives first-hand accounts of the author's experiences during her mission in war-torn Vietnam, in Indonesia, and in a ministry to Asian immigrants in California. It was a time of wonderful fulfillment of Jesus Christ's promise to his followers: "Lo, I am with you always..."

Is it true? Is it possible? Is it a faithful promise?

The question is worth pondering: was He there as He promised during times of serious illnesses, uncertainties, or devastating grief as well as times of blessing and joy?

Author Joyce Trebilco addresses these questions as she strives to make us all more keenly aware of His presence and care, even in difficult times.

Flying airplanes for sport is expensive. Many recreational pilots are businessmen or executives with sufficient income that allows them to fly. But this recreational community also includes a smaller group-the blue-collar workers. With little disposable income, they struggle to find money to support their flying passion. Eventually, many succumb to the financial pressures of home and family, giving up flying altogether. But there are some who find a way to continue enjoying their love for flight. "Blue-Collar Wings: Remembering Thirty Years of Private Flying" is the autobiography of middle-class worker Robert J. Keith, who shares his story of flying light aircraft for recreation and refusing to abandon it in the face of increasing costs. For three decades, Robert and his wife Nancy enjoyed many adventures flying airplanes and hot air balloons throughout New England . and slightly beyond . and proved that dreams do come true.

This volume approaches China's Belt and Road Initiative as a process of culturalization, one that started with the Silk Road and continued over the millennium. In mainstream literature, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been portrayed as the geo-economic vision and geo-political ambition of China's current leaders, intended to shape the future of the world. However, this volume argues that although geo-politics and geo-economy may play their part, the BRI more importantly creates a venue for the meeting of cultures by promoting people-to-people interaction and exchange. This volume explores the journey from the Silk-Road to Belt-Road by analyzing topics ranging from history to religion, from language to culture, and from environment to health. As such, scholars, academics, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students from the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Business will find an alternative approach to the Belt and Road Initiative.

This Handbook offers an insightful and comprehensive overview from a geographic perspective of the numerous and varied technologies that are shaping the contemporary world. It shows how geography and technology are intimately linked by examining the origins, growth, and impacts of 27 different technologies and highlighting how they influence the structure and spatiality of society. Following summaries of important conceptual issues such as diffusion, gender and science studies, the book explores various technologies, which are grouped into six main categories: Computational: code, location-based services and virtual reality Communications: fiber optics, satellites, the internet, radio, cell phones and television Transportation: automobiles, aviation, drones, railroads, and shipping and ports Energy: biofuels, dams, fracking, geothermal energy, pipelines, solar energy and LEED buildings Manufacturing: robotics, just-in-time systems and nanotechnology Life sciences: new technologies of health care, biotechnology and biometrics. Significantly, the book includes in-depth explorations of new technologies that have so far received very little attention from geographers. This much-needed Handbook offers a comprehensive and state-of-the-art summary of the geographies of major technologies and how they affect society, economies, geographies and everyday life. It will appeal to academics and advanced students interested in geography, planning and the social sciences in general. Contributors include: R. Baghel, M. Batty, R.E. Baxter, T. Birtchnell, M.J. Blair, L. Cabral, K.E. Calvert, M. Chen, J. Cidell, J.C. Comer, D. Comfort, S.W. Cunningham, M. Dodge, A.R. Goetz, A. Golub, A. Grech, D. Hillier, A. Holl, J.P. Howell, A. Johnson, P. Jones, A. Kellerman, L. Kurdgelashvili, L. Li, H. Lin, R. Lobato, B.P.Y. Loo, A. Lopez Pelaez, E. Louie, S. Maalsen, W.E. Mabee, J.D. Makholm, J. McLean, M. Nusser, G. Popescu, R. Rama, P.L. Robertson, J.-P. Rodrigue, M.W. Rosenberg, B. Solomon, J.D. Stephen, D. Sui, G. Timilsina, N. Waldbrook, B. Warf, T.A. Wikle, C. Wilkinson

Geographers is an annual collection of studies on individuals who have made major contributions to the development of geography and geographical thought. Subjects are drawn from all periods and from all parts of the world, and include famous names as well as those less well known, including explorers, independent thinkers and scholars. Each paper describes the geographer's education, life and work and discusses their influence and spread of academic ideas. Each study includes a select bibliography and a brief chronology. The work includes a general index, and a cumulative index of geographers listed in volumes published to date. Published under the auspices of the International Geographical Union.

This book is a collection of extended papers based on presentations given during the ICEC 2018 conference, held in Caen, France, in August 2018. It explores both the limitations and advantages of current models, and highlights the latest developments concerning new numerical schemes, high-performance computing, multi-physics and multi-scale methods, and better interaction with field or scale model data. Accordingly, it addresses the interests of practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, and engineers active in this field.

This excellent reference source brings together hard-to-find information on the constituent units of the Russian Federation. The introduction examines the Russian Federation as a whole, followed by a chronology, demographic and economic statistics, and a review of the Federal Government. The second section comprises territorial surveys, each of which includes a current map. This edition includes surveys covering the annexed (and disputed) territories of Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as updated surveys of each of the other 83 federal subjects. The third section comprises a select bibliography of books. The fourth section features a series of indexes, listing the territories alphabetically, by Federal Okrug and Economic Area. Users will also find a gazetteer of selected alternative and historic names, a list of the territories abolished, created or reconstituted in the post-Soviet period, and an index of more than 100 principal cities, detailing the territory in which each is located.

Regional Intelligence is an emerging field that leverages the lessons learned through decades of regional science. By merging spatial analysis with quantitative analytical techniques in the Anthropocene, this book contributes to the multidisciplinary understanding of regional issues. The locational aspects of regional paradigms are explored through various empirical studies that promote a rich and diversified understanding of regional issues concerning policy, governance, land use, and territorial decisions. Given its scope, the book will appeal to scholars and students of regional and spatial sciences and geography, as well as practitioners and decision makers engaged in regional planning and policymaking, looking for new methodological approaches that offer insights into sustainable development, regional prosperity, and livability. As a unique contribution, this book challenges the status quo on how complex spatial problems at an international level and at multiple scales can be comprehended.

This book provides in-depth explanations of design theories and methods for remote sensing satellites, as well as their practical applications. There have been significant advances in spacecraft remote sensing technologies over the past decade. As the latest edition of the book "Space Science and Technology Research," it draws on the authors' vast engineering experience in system design for remote sensing satellites and offers a valuable guide for all researchers, engineers and students who are interested in this area. Chiefly focusing on mission requirements analyses and system design, it also highlights a range of system design methods.