Question

In the fig., five hypothetical countries and some information about their conditions is given. Study them carefully and answer the following questions:

• Considering the natural resources available in these countries, which activities will flourish here?
• Between which countries will exportimport of goods occur?
• Which tertiary activities will take place here?
• Considering the location of country 'E', how will it carry out the trade with other countries?
• Write in your own words, the effect of geographical factors on human economic activities in these countries.

Answer 1

• 1. Country A: Agriculture, tea cultivation, rice cultivation, fishing and sea transport.
  2. Country B: Horticulture, fruit cultivation, tea cultivation and fishing.
  3. Country C: Rice cultivation, tea cultivation, coffee cultivation, fruit cultivation, fishing and port-related activities.
  4. Country D: Forestry, lumbering, fishing and port-related activities.
  5. Country E: Forestry, agriculture and fruit cultivation.
• Trade can take place among all five countries according to the availability and demand for different products. For example:
  1. A and C: Rice, tea and other agricultural products may be exchanged.
  2. B and C: Fruits and horticultural products may be traded.
  3. C and D: Agricultural products may be exchanged for forest products.
  4. D and E: Forest and agricultural products may be exchanged.
  5. A, B, C and D: Being connected to the sea, they can also carry out overseas trade.
• The main tertiary activities likely to develop are:
  1. Transport
  2. Trade and commerce
  3. Shipping
  4. Port services
  5. Banking
  6. Insurance
  7. Warehousing
  8. Communication
  9. Tourism
  10. Wholesale and retail trade
• Country E is landlocked, as it has no direct access to the sea. Therefore, it will have to transport its goods through Country D to the nearest port and then use sea routes for international trade. It may depend on road, rail or river transport through neighbouring countries.
• Geographical factors strongly influence economic activities. Climate, relief, soil, water, forests, minerals and access to the sea determine which activities can develop in a region. Fertile land encourages agriculture, forests support lumbering, coastal areas favour fishing and ports, while good transport routes promote trade. Thus, the economic activities of a country are closely related to its geographical conditions.