Question

Mention any three factors that determine the location of an industry.

Answer 1

Three factors determining the location of an industry are:

1. Raw Material: Industries that use heavy or bulky raw materials that lose weight during processing tend to be located near the supply of raw materials to reduce transportation costs. For example, jute mills in West Bengal and cotton mills in Maharashtra and Gujarat are located close to their raw material sources.
2. Power: Regular and economical supply of power is important for industries. Industries often locate near sources of coal, mineral oil, or hydroelectricity. For example, iron and steel plants are near coal-fields, and electro-chemical industries near hydro-power sources.
3. Labour: Availability of a plentiful supply of workers is crucial. Modern industries require many unskilled and skilled workers, often found in large urban centres. Labour supply affects the location of light consumer goods and agro-based industries in particular.