The United States The Impact of Its Economy on...

The United States: The Impact of Its Economy on Transportation and Logistics Management Transportation and logistics coordinate the movement of goods and people. The transportation and logistics industry is the catalyst that propels the American economy. However, it works both ways. Economic pressures on the national, regional, and local levels affect decisions and policies made by logistics managers. This paper will explore the intricate relationship between the United States economy and Transportation and Logistics management. Consumer Economy in the United States The subprime mortgage crisis precipitated a recession between 2007 and 2009 although its effects are still felt by many consumers and companies today. The slow recovery is reflected in job growth, unemployment, consumer spending, and inflation. Jobs Although the job numbers are growing, they have not recouped the peak numbers from a decade ago. In 2005 the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected employment to grow from 2004’s 145.6 million to 164.5 by 2014 (Hecker, 2005). According to current employment statistics for April 2014 there are 145 million jobs (Bureau of Labor, 2014). This means there are no more jobs today than there were in 2004. Unemployment The recession and continued economic slow-down increased unemployment. This is partly because some large employers either folded or reduced their workforces, greatly increasing the number of Americans out of work. Tightened banking practices made it moreShow MoreRelatedA Brief Note On Transportation And Logistics Management1426 Words   |  6 PagesIn the vast industry that is transportation and logistics management, has a lot of influence on the economy of the United States. One of the reasons for the close connection of the industry and U.S economy is because of globalization, and in the content of this paper we will examine different segments of the industry, and how they affect the economy in different ways. Addressing specific segments of the industry tells us just how important each segment is to the economy, instead of speaking of theRead MoreImpact Of Globalization On A Countrys Economy1215 Words   |  5 PagesWhen we think of a country’s economy the first thing tha t comes to mind is how successful a country is, and how successful a country is determines its status as a global power. One of the tools used to measure a country’s economy is call Gross Domestic Product (GDP). GDP can be defined as the value all the goods and services produced within a country within a given period of times, such as a financial quarter or a year. Over the years we have seen an increase in globalization, which is the integrationRead MoreLogistics And Phyical Distribution Essay example1437 Words   |  6 Pagesof organizing the flow of goods, services, and information among members of the supply chain is called logistics. Physical distribution is a major focus in logistics management. Physical distribution has many elements that help link buyers and sellers. These elements include the following: customer service, transportation, warehousing, materials handling, inventory control, and order processing. Many companies require aRead MoreLogistics and Phyical Distribution1489 Words   |  6 Pagesusers and consumers. This process of organizing the flow of goods, services, and information among members of the supply chain is called logistics. Physical distribution is a major focus in logistics management. Physical distribution has many elements that help link buyers and sellers. These elements include the following: customer service, transportation, warehousing, materials handling, inventory control, and order processing. Many companies require a new technology called radio-frequencyRead MoreLogistics: Economics and Supply Chain Essay1255 Words   |  6 PagesTransportation: Critical Link In The Supply Chain Study Questions 1. What are the major forces or external factors that have impacted our economy during the latter part of the 20th centuries? How have each of these factors influenced companies as well as their respective supply chains? Which of these factors do you feel is the most important for a computer company? Why? In the 21st century, transportation systems will face significant challenges and problems because of global environmentRead MoreMitigating Risk in Transportation Costs1265 Words   |  6 PagesMitigating Risk in Transportation Costs Finding ways to move goods from one point to another at a reasonable cost and within an acceptable time frame is a growing challenge for global businesses today. The costs and risks associated with transportation are increasing with the advent of globalization and low-cost-country sourcing. Even for companies with local operations only, they have to supply their products to various parts of a country which increases the costs and risks. Since the costRead MoreMaximizing the Life Cycle Logistics through Effective Management2036 Words   |  9 PagesLogistics Management American Military University TLMT 353 I001 Winter 12 Professor Carmen Mousel 22 March 2012 As a brief description of the subject in the study, the life cycle of logistics can also be maximized through establishing effective management organizing efforts to maintain a certain company’s operational structure that will avoid or prevent errors and mismanagement that can take place within the corporation. In this case, the 360 degree logistics can be found when thereRead MoreTransportation And Distribution Of Transport1538 Words   |  7 Pagessubstantial transportation and shipping from one point to another (Peters 1990). Distribution and carriage of products are very essential for numerous reasons (Meyburg Stopher 1974); (Hasell, Foulkes Robertson 1978);(Ogden 1992). Amongst the utmost substantial are: (Anderson, Allen Browne 2005) †¢It is major support in our life style. †¢It plays substantial part in supply chain activities. †¢Cargo distribution makes competitiveness in business side within a society. †¢Transportation and distributionRead MoreAn Analysis Of The International Logistics Systems1481 Words   |  6 Pagesefficient and reliable transportation mechanisms for their supply chains (Coyle et al. 2015). In addition, the various firms or companies have to contend with the fact that the increased distances of transportation come with its fair share of risks. The firms need to carry out risk assessment to deal with the unexpected processes. From another point of view, the firms need to make several compromises as they enter into various agreements that will ensure that the transportation processes are well integratedRead MoreWestminster Company Essay3902 Words   |  16 PagesWestminster Company: Jim Smith TLMT312 Public University Professor Williams February 19, 2012 Abstract The results of this paper center on the supply chain and logistical functions of an elite pharmaceutical organization in the United States. Westminster Company retains three separate companies, which produce and distribute individualized or differentiated commodities independently. This paper will discuss the changes being considered within their supply chain structure, which are, the

The Structure and Agency Debate - 987 Words

Introduction The structure and agency debate is a common one in the field of sociology and different theorists come up with different ways of accounting for the actions of social actors. This essay takes the position that structuration solves the problem of this much contested debate. Initially key concepts and elements of structuration will be pointed out .These elements include structure, agency, social systems and power amongst many others. Subsequently, there will be engagement of a discussion of different schools of thought and finally it will be demonstrated how structuration prevails over the structure-agency debate. Socialization Socialization is an ongoing process in which individuals obtains a personal identity, learns norms, values and behaviour appropriate to his/her position. People constantly require approval of the things they do, they continually seek to be socially competent and to be accepted by those around them. It is human nature to want to be similar from others in order to be accepted in a certain social spheres but at the same time wanting to be different and unique. There are primary and secondary agents of socialization. The primary agents are those that are basic and fundamental to social beings, these include family and friends from which we learn behaviour at young age; they transmit norms and values to us. The secondary agents are those that are more external to us than family such as social institutions/organisations, these include schools,Show MoreRelatedStructure-Agency Debate: The Dirty Work of Democracy by by Antony Atlebeker900 Words   |  4 PagesThis essay will be focusing on the structure-agency debate and the application of this debate to the sociological reading The Dirty Work of Democracy: a year on the streets with the SAPS (2005) by Antony Atlebeker. This easy will demonstrate how the structure-agency debate can help explain Captain Louis De Kosters attitudes towards police work and his actions. The argument I will be putting forward is in support of Anthony Giddens’ Structuration Theory (1984). I will prove this argument by referringRead MoreAgency And Structure And The Formation Of Human Behavior1142 Words   |  5 PagesAgency and structure are central problems in Social Theory; as individuals seek to comprehend the nature of social life and organization. Within the social sciences exists the debate over the primacy of structure or agency in the formation of human behaviour. Are individuals within a society in control of their behaviour or is their behaviour being unconsciously influenced by social circumstances. The distinction betw een both is inherent in the development of sociology. Agency is the ability individualsRead MoreThe Hierarchy Of Structure And Agency888 Words   |  4 PagesThere is a constant debate about the primacy of structure or agency in forming human behavior in the social science. Carlsnaes (as cited in Hay, 1995) claimed that â€Å"the problem of structure and agency is †¦ the central problem of social and political theory†. Radically, the agency-structure problem is an ontological problem which is related to the nature of structures, agents and their correlations (Wight, 2003). There are four influential positions in the structure-agency debate: structuralism, intentionalismRead MoreThe Undeserving and Deserving Poor Structure1065 Words   |  5 PagesHaving only recently permeated the public and political lexicon, there are few debates that evoke such passion as that of the underclass. Karl Marx tabled the idea of the lumpen proletariat, yet in the modern era, the concept did not take hold in Britain until 1989. Today, the debate focuses on whether frictional forces create a continuum of inequality, or whether a defined underclass does exist. The question asks if poor people belong in a separate underclass, which is a vague definition. ThereRead More Structure and Agency Essay1537 Words   |  7 PagesStructure and agency are two theoretical terms used to explain the capacity at which we as people are able to be individuals, and to what extent those influences limit our individuality. Structure refers to the ways in which a society is organized. Agency refers to the behaviors and actions of the individuals within the social structure. Agency is limited by the structure due to cultural barriers and inequalities within the structure. In this essay, I will present an overview of why critical theoristsRead MoreThe Theory Of Social Space1352 Words   |  6 Pageshabitus, exists outside the minds of actors. The field is formally defined as a network of relations among the objective positions within it. The occupants of these positions may be either agents or institutions and they are both constrained by the structure of the field (Ritzer, 2004). Economic capital, which relates the economy of the state, and cultural capital, which involves various kinds of acceptable knowledge are two principles of differentiation which determine social space classificationsRead MoreThe Role Of Media And Its Effects On Society778 Words   |  4 PagesStructural constraint is regulation that limits agency (Intentional undetermined human action, what you might or might not do). For example heterosexual couples and their children is periodic pattern in social world. Human agency yields human structure because it is reliant on society satisfying their roles in order to continue their old-style family structure/ education system. Associations between institutions on how non-media social structures (government/economy) affect media industry and viceR ead MoreStructural Constraint Is Regulation That Limits Agency ( Intentional Undetermined Human Action, What You Might Or Might773 Words   |  4 PagesStructural constraint is regulation that limits agency (Intentional undetermined human action, what you might or might not do). For example heterosexual couples and their children is recurring pattern in social world. Human agency produces human structure because it is dependent on society fulfilling their roles in order to continue their traditional family structure/ education system. Relationships between institutions on how non-media social structures (government/economy) affect media industry andRead MoreThe Issue Of Providing Mental Health Services For Veterans Essay1252 Words   |  6 Pages As witnessed in multiple studies, there are debates to which therapies are best for the veteran suffering from a co-occurring disorder. But after researching integrated treatment and understanding that the client and his/her overall health and or wellness is the overall focus those debates become irrelevant since you have to meet each individual where they are at on a case by case basis. While combing through multiple studies I noticed the debate of CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) versus CBTRead MoreCreating A New Cyber Force1182 Words   |  5 Pagesconflict. With land, sea, air and space in the background, warfare has entered a fifth domain: cyber. In this position paper, using a pro and con format, the debate on whether or not the Department of Defense (DoD) should create a new, independent branch for cyber will be discussed. To do this, the following will examine both sides of debate by highlighting two main points: the elimination of duplication of effort and the intens ive resources required to make the transition. Finally, a look into

Operation Implementation Plan For Eagle Nest

Question: Describe about the Operation Implementation Plan For Eagle Nest? Answer: 1. Overview of the Investment Idea Being Implemented This implementation plan exemplifies the operation plan of Eagles Nest Inc related to its new investment strategy. This investment option under consideration of: Launch of the MoTravel Franchise in Europe; Here, total available budget for such new investment strategy is US $80 million. The operation plan mainly considered the below mentioned objectives: Provide resources; Initiate actions; Monitoring launch; Control further activities; and Act in emergencies; The timeline is 12 months involving launch of the Franchise in Europe. This implementation plan also explores the risk aspects, human resources requirements and financial activities over the implementation period (Keller 2013). 2. Impact on the Operation Department The operation department is one of the active departments during project execution. Starting from understanding the role and responsibility of each stakeholder, controlling change orders to benchmarking and documenting the project details, operation department is playing crucial role (Niknam, Golestaneh and Malekpour 2012). In this specific case, since the organization, Eagles Nest Inc aims to consider one new investment strategy which is franchise launching project, the operation department needs to make active project management teams for this project. Since this project will be implemented simultaneously, the operation head will monitor the project (Moghaddam et al. 2012). So, it will be a challenge for the operation head. However, the project manager of this project as well as the respective team will provide enough support to successful implementation. As a result of that an expected outcome will be generated. There are several challenges faced by the operation department are fo llowing: Financial management control Safety management activities during project implementation Regarding advance information technologies Changes in regulatory and compliance activities 3. Time Plan As mentioned by Wright (2014), time planning or scheduling prior to implementing the operation plan ensures the success of the project. It ensures timely completion of project and arranging all the available resources. The implementation of operation plan involves four phases, Phase 1: Project Initiation; Phase 2: launch; Phase 3: Managing installations, monitoring and training; and Phase 4: Completion of launching franchises. Purpose: Prior to implement the operation plan, finalisation of time plan will facilitate the operation department to review the process of operation. At the same time it will provide an indication about the expected finish date of the project. Structure: The plan is established to demonstrate the activities will be performed by the operation department in a chronological order along with the start date, finish date and allowable delay if any. Comments: It is noted that the plan was prepared to implement the new investment strategy. In order to implement this investment strategy the entire operation plan has been divided into four different phase (Hill and Hill 2012). According to the planning, each phase will take 3 months (12 weeks) time. Each of the phases includes several sub activities. Activities Start Date Duration Day End Date Flexibility period Implementation of operation plan Wed 12/30/15 348 days Fri 4/28/17 None Project Initiation Wed 12/30/15 90 days Tue 5/3/16 None Review of Plan Wed 12/30/15 22 days Thu 1/28/16 None Selection of systems and RFPs Fri 1/29/16 22 days Mon 2/29/16 None Allocation of resources Tue 3/1/16 24 days Fri 4/1/16 None Distribution of responsibilities among team Mon 4/4/16 22 days Tue 5/3/16 None Engagement of team members Wed 5/4/16 90 days Tue 9/6/16 None Site preparation Wed 5/4/16 10 days Tue 5/17/16 None Launch Wed 5/18/16 20 days Tue 6/14/16 None Finalizing Budgets Wed 6/15/16 15 days Tue 7/5/16 None Executing contracts and PO's Wed 7/6/16 15 days Tue 7/26/16 None Site construction start Wed 7/27/16 20 days Tue 8/23/16 None Firm up install and schedule Wed 8/24/16 10 days Tue 9/6/16 None Engagement of team in launch of franchise Wed 9/7/16 88 days Fri 1/6/17 None Managing installations, monitoring and training Wed 9/7/16 22 days Thu 10/6/16 None Monitor installation Fri 10/7/16 22 days Mon 11/7/16 None Collaboration with vendors and construction team Tue 11/8/16 22 days Wed 12/7/16 None Trained construction team Thu 12/8/16 22 days Fri 1/6/17 None Completion of launching franchises Mon 1/9/17 90 days Fri 4/28/17 None Verification Mon 1/9/17 45 days Fri 2/3/17 None Compliance Mon 2/6/17 45days Fri 4/28/17 None 4. Links and Dependencies This section of this implementation has explored the link and dependencies between the different phases in operation plan for Eagles Nest Hotels new investment strategy. As mentioned by Stevenson (2011), identification of dependencies and linkage in activities involved in different phases supports the operation head to deal understand what activities needs to perform at the prior stage. In this context, it is noted that any deviation of the activities during each phase can easily identifiable through this links and dependency table. The links and dependencies with other Eagles Nest operation departments include: Activity Depend on: Precursor to: Project Initiation Project managers, Operation head Effective use of resources and site preparation Launch Project Managers, team members Budget allocations, resource utilization, and start work according to schedule Managing installations, monitoring and training Operation head, project managers Monitor installations, collaboration with vendors Completion of launching franchises Operation head, management of Eagle's Nest Verification, Testing 5. Milestones As mentioned by Burke (2013), identifying milestones helps in monitoring the project in terms of completion. This also helps in analyzing the variances during implementation if any. The below mentioned table explains the milestone used in this operation plan expected completion date and responsibilities. End Date Lead Responsibility Project Initiation Tue 5/3/16 Operation Head Review of Plan Thu 1/28/16 Project managers Selection of systems and RFPs Mon 2/29/16 Project managers Allocation of resources Fri 4/1/16 Project managers Distribution of responsibilities among team Tue 5/3/16 Project managers Engagement of team members Tue 9/6/16 Project managers Site preparation Tue 5/17/16 Project managers Launch Tue 6/14/16 Operation Head, Project Managers Finalizing Budgets Tue 7/5/16 team members Executing contracts and PO's Tue 7/26/16 team members Site construction start Tue 8/23/16 team members Firm up install and schedule Tue 9/6/16 team members Engagement of team in launch of franchise Fri 1/6/17 team members Managing installations, monitoring and training Thu 10/6/16 Operation Head, Project Managers Monitor installation Mon 11/7/16 team members Collaboration with vendors and construction team Wed 12/7/16 team members Trained construction team Fri 1/6/17 team members Completion of launching franchises Fri 4/28/17 Operation Head and Management Verification Fri 2/3/17 Project managers Compliance Fri 4/28/17 Project managers 6. Risk Plan The risk management plan has helped the operation head to deal with the risk identified prior to implement this operation plan (Slack 2015). Purpose: The risk plan helps in identifying risk, practising them and providing solution to mitigate; Structure: Description of the risk identified, prioritisation, possible actions; Comments: The risk plan needs to be audited with the frequent interval (Burke 2013) Risk Description Priority Advance Warning Signs Actions to Avoid Actions to Mitigate Inadequate staffing A Delay in implementation of operation plan Review of existing staffing prior to implementation Frequent audit Changes in technology B The existing supportive system [CRM] will not be functional Auditing technological requirement prior to implementation Frequent audit New regulation related to building renovation A Delay in implementation of operation plan reviewing policies prior to implement operation plan Frequent audit 7. Resource Requirements Plan This section of the operation plan has dealt with the staffing needs for the new investment strategy. As mentioned by Stoppato (2012), prior to implement the operation plan identification of human resource needs will support to avoid the possible risk related to this implementation. Purpose: The purpose of this section will be set out the human resource requirements for the operation department. Structure: Job activity, designation, recruitment required or not, date of recruitment and skill set; Comments: It can be said that prior to implement the operation plan, identification of human resource needs supports the financial decision making and therefore assessment of feasibility of the investment strategies (Slack 2015); Job Activity Title Recruitment Required Date of Recruitment Up skilling Requirement Overall responsibility of the operation department Operation head No NA NA Managing project Project Manager Yes Manager Immediate. Training in Eagles Nest Policies/Procedures and Systems Supporting project activities Team members No NA NA 8. Financial Plan Purpose: The purpose of the financial plan is to set out the cost associated with each of the three projects; Structure: The cost incurred in each of the three projects have shown individually; Comments: This plan will help the operation head to manage any deviation in term of expenditure during the implementation (Bozarth and Handfield 2015). Fixed Cost [year 1] for 50 franchisees Project Initiation Launch Managing installation, monitoring and training Completion of launching franchisee Total Operation $50.00 $61.00 $49.42 $31.21 $191.63 Resource costs ($25.00) ($30.50) ($24.71) ($15.61) ($95.82) Staffing costs ($10.00) ($12.20) ($9.88) ($6.24) ($38.33) Distribution Costs $ (5.00) ($6.10) ($4.94) ($3.12) ($19.16) Marketing Team Costs ($5.00) ($6.10) ($4.94) ($3.12) ($19.16) Launch Costs ($5.00) ($6.10) ($4.94) ($3.12) ($19.16) Advertising and Publicity Costs $ - $ - $ - $ - $0.00 Balance($k) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 9. References Bozarth, C.C. and Handfield, R.B., 2015. Introduction to operations and supply chain management. Prentice Hall. Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA. Hill, A. and Hill, T., 2012. Operations management. Palgrave Macmillan. Keller, K., 2013. Strategic Brand Management: Global Edition. Pearson Higher Ed. Krajewski, L.J., Malhotra, M.K. and Ritzman, L.P., 2015. Operations management: processes and supply chains. Prentice Hall. Moghaddam, A.A., Seifi, A., Niknam, T. and Pahlavani, M.R.A., 2011. Multi-objective operation management of a renewable MG (micro-grid) with back-up micro-turbine/fuel cell/battery hybrid power source. Energy, 36(11), pp.6490-6507. Niknam, T., Golestaneh, F. and Malekpour, A., 2012. Probabilistic energy and operation management of a microgrid containing wind/photovoltaic/fuel cell generation and energy storage devices based on point estimate method and self-adaptive gravitational search algorithm. Energy, 43(1), pp.427-437. Slack, N., 2015. Operations strategy. John Wiley Sons, Ltd. Stevenson, W., 2011. Operations management. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Stoppato, A., 2012. Energetic and economic investigation of the operation management of an Organic Rankine Cycle cogeneration plant. Energy, 41(1), pp.3-9. Tayur, S., Ganeshan, R. and Magazine, M. eds., 2012. Quantitative models for supply chain management (Vol. 17). Springer Science Business Media. Wright, L., 2014. Principles of service marketing and management.

Site and Situation of Perth free essay sample

The configuration of the coastline is a barrier to urban development as it consists of northern to southern corridors projecting from the city. The Swan Canning River System is a major influence on the morphology of Perth as the rivers orientation is strong and impacts on the urban shape, because it is the axis of the two inland corridors. The Darling Scarp also influences the external morphology of Perth as it is a barrier to extensive urban development with discrete pockets rather than continues sprawl. Situation Factors of the MORPHOLOGY of Perth; The morphology of Perth is also constricted to certain areas because of the location of cultural and natural features such as, Transport Links, Airports, Major Ports, and Major Water Supplies. The effect of these features on the morphology of Perth is that the Transport Links connected to Perth such as Grahame Farmer, Kwinana, and Mitchell Freeways, Albany Roe and Tonkin Highways have all caused the construction of urban development, to have quick and easy access to transport roots back to the CBD. We will write a custom essay sample on Site and Situation of Perth or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The extensions of the transport networks have resulted in the expansion of urban areas, as more people are attached to these areas such as, Midland, Rockingham, Mandurah, Joondalup, Armadale and Fremantle. The airports are located out of the city to not cause traffic congestion with in the CBD, but further out with easy access by major road systems on the way to and from the city of Perth, such as; the Perth international Domestic airport and the Jandakot airport.

A Band Of Brothers essays

A Band Of Brothers essays This book takes the reader on a great journey, one filled with excitement and sadness. The reader is a rifleman in Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army, the greatest rifle company in the world. It all starts at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, then escalates to D-Day (Their first combat jump), and then to Hitlers Eagles Nest at Berchtesgaden. Basic Training at Fort Toccoa was the toughest BT in the Armed Forces. At Toccoa, they took in baby-faced recruits and turned them into lean, mean killing machines. Each of the 140 men and 7 officers who had come to Ft. Toccoa had either been an athlete or a hunter in high school. Toccoa was so tough that many of the OFFICERS didnt make it through there. The instructors in Georgia were very tough on these men. They knew that they had to be in supreme physical condition, or else they would never survive. To get these men in top physical condition, the drill sergeants ran the men up and down a hill that they called Currahee (Indian for We stand alone.) This hill was 3 miles up and 3 miles back. The men ran this hill at least once a day, if not twice. By the time the men shipped out of Georgia 8 weeks later, they were in the best fighting shape of their lives. On the night of June 6, 1944, the men from Easy Company loaded up into 8 c-47 carrier planes. Flying over Normandy, many planes were hit and began to go down, so men had to jump from 250 feet while going 150 miles an hour. When they actually hit the ground, many of the men could not find their gear and had to sometimes make do with just a field knife. As the men landed, (they were scattered about 5 miles apart, as the planes had been blown off course by the Anti-Aircraft fire.) they tried to group together in bands and make their way to the rallying point. Many men were killed, because they would accidentally walk right into a German ma ...

The Dominican Republic Essays - Greater Antilles, Free Essays

The Dominican Republic Essays - Greater Antilles, Free Essays The Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is one of the many Spanish speaking countries in the world. The Dominican Republic, republic of the West Indies, compromising the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola. The word Dominican Republic in Spanish means Republica Dominicana. The capitol of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo. The population of the Dominican Republic is of mixed Spanish and black-African descent. The society is about sixty five percent urban. The population of the Dominican Republic in 1995 was about seven million, nine hundred and fifteen thousand (7,915,000) people. This gives the country a population density of about one hundred sixty two person per square kilometer. The Dominican Republic is divided into twenty nine provinces plus the Distrito Nacional . It also includes the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. Each province is subdivided into municipalities and townships. Some important cities are Santo Domingo, Santiago de los Caballlereos, San Pedro de Macrois. Santo Domingo is the leading port and has an estimated population of two million and four hundred thousand (2,400,000) persons. Santiago de los Caballeros is a trade and transportation center with a population of half a million people. San Pedro de Macoris, a seaport has a population of seventy eight thousand and five hundred sixty two(78,562) persons. The Dominican Republic consists of mainly Spanish speakers. Spanish is the official language of the Dominica Republic. English is also spoken and a French dialect is spoken. The religion of the Dominican Republic mostly Roman Catholicism. There is small Protestant community and some are Spiritists. The Dominican Republic has a length of in an east to west direction of about three hundred eighty kilometers and a maximum width, in the west, of about two hundred sixty five kilometers. The frontier with Haiti is about three hundred fifteen kilometers long. The Dominican also have possession to many islands. Such islands as Beata and Saona. The Dominican Republic is a very fertile land, well watered and very mountainous. About eighty percent of the country is covered with a series of mountain ranges, extending in a northwestern to southeastern direction. The most fertile region is in the Valley of Cibao and the coastal plains are also very fertile. The Dominican Republic has many rivers and streams. The Dominican Republic has a semitropical climate. Temperatures of more than seventy four degrees Fahrenheit are registered in the lowlands throughout the year. During the summer months temperatures range from eighty to ninety degrees Fahrenheit in the lowlands. The highland are much cooler and receive about sixty inches of precipitation each year. The wet season is from June to November. Tropical Hurricanes occur occasionally. The main resources of the Dominican Republic is mainly agriculture. The fertile soil is instrumental to farming and many of the mountains are covered with forests. The country also has valuable deposits of nickel, gold and silver. The Dominican Republic?s vegetation is much like that of the other islands of the West Indies. The vegetation varies and luxuriant. Among the many species of indigenous trees are mahogany, rosewood and pine. Many species of useful plants and fruits are common, including rice, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, yams, banana, pineapple and grapes. The history of the Dominian Republic starts at the aboriginal inhabitants of Hispaniola were Arawak people, engaged principally in farming and fishing. They eventually became extinct as a result of exploitation by Spanish colonists. Black slaves were later imported to take the place of the Arawak. In time the Spanish migrated from Hispaniola to South America, and for about a century the island was sparsely populated. In 1697, by the Peace of Ryswick, the portion of Hispaniola that had been occupied by French adventurers was formally ceded to France and became known as Saint-Domingue; it is now Haiti. The remaining Spanish section, what is now the Dominican Republic, was called Santo Domingo. In 1795, Spain finally ceded Santo Domingo to France. During the years that followed, the country was caught up in the convulsions of neighboring Haiti, as well as indigenous mixed-race and black people. When Haiti removed the French in 1804, Santo Domingo remained under French occupation for another five years. Then the French were expelled and Spanish rule restored. After 1814, however, the Spanish administration became increasingly tyrannical, and

Siddhartha Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Siddhartha - Essay Example Theoretically, it is a justified and beautiful allegory of man's inner desire for peace and rebirth. It greatly shows the eternal oneness of man with his environment. Calvin (1996) asserted that Siddhartha is the best of Hermann Hesse's outstanding collection of work. De Rossi (1999) described Siddhartha as poetic, vibrant and extremely captivating resulting to a work of pure and inconceivable art. The Indian tale, Siddhartha, is the story of the spiritual awakening of an Indian man born from a wealthy Brahmin family. He was exposed to the extremities of man's wanting made of lust and greed and thus, he decided to leave his family and wealth to gain freedom to do whatever he likes. This stubbornness resulted to a child born out of wedlock. Yet, these material illusions caused by Siddhartha's desire to enjoy life have bored him and out of despair, he came to a river. He then heard a peculiar sound which signaled his enlightenment. This marked a new life for him, a life with inner peace and wisdom, which he never knew he had been wanting for a long time. As a young man blessed with intelligence and charm, he first believed that the true meaning of life was using his assets to live life to the fullest. In his quest for spiritual enlightenment, he wandered, hoping to eventually find what he was looking for. Then, he met a ferryman who was sitting in the shade of a banyan tree, listening to the sound of a river. The ferryman was believed by many natives as a sage but in fact, he was once a wandering shramana and a follower of Gotama, the Buddha. Siddhartha, on the other hand, was not a follower of Buddha. He grew up following his own desires without being enraptured by anyone's sermons but himself. Yet, after a long quest for truth and satisfaction, he later found what he was looking for. The ferryman and the friendships he gained in his quest has greatly helped him search his path. Neither did he found it in material things nor in other person's wealth. He found his true self, uncovered by the light of his own spirit. Overall, the book Siddhartha comprises of a mutual combination of man's angst and selfishness. It teaches life-earned lessons Siddhartha learned himself in his journey for inner peace. It is a superbly written spiritual quest. Theoretically, Siddhartha represents an ordinary man of today born with almost every material gift life has to offer. Yet, in his maturity, he later finds out that an enlightened path of life is not taught nor practiced. It is earned through experience. Hence, one has to experience years of the sorrows and joys of life before he finds what he was really searching for. Since the plot is set on India, it is a moral metaphor of Indian theology. The story, itself, depicts man's mystery of loneliness and discontent. It metaphorically shows how the protagonist goes through the various stages of life in order to gain enlightenment and complete rebirth. The happiness he later earned was the result of the complexities he earned