Geography | Secondary Activities (Fundamentals of Human Geography)

Definition and Scope of Secondary Activities:

• Secondary activities involve processing and manufacturing raw materials into finished products.
• These activities include industries such as manufacturing, processing, construction, and infrastructure development.

Types of Industries:

1. Manufacturing Industry:
   • Transforms raw materials into finished products.
   • Includes a wide range of activities from handicrafts to large-scale industrial production.
2. Processing Industry:
   • Processes raw materials without changing their physical form.
   • Examples include oil refining, sugar production, and food processing.
3. Construction Industry:
   • Involves building infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, and dams.
   • Utilizes materials from other industries to create physical structures.

Characteristics of Modern Industries:

• Modern industries are characterized by mechanization, technological innovation, and complex organizational structures.
• They involve significant capital investment and employ both skilled and unskilled labor.

Factors Influencing Industrial Location:

1. Raw Materials:
   • Industries are often located near raw material sources to reduce transportation costs.
   • Examples include iron and steel industries near coal and iron ore deposits.
2. Market:
   • Proximity to markets reduces transportation costs and ensures quick delivery of finished products.
   • Urban areas with high population densities often attract industries.
3. Transport and Communication:
   • Efficient transport and communication networks are crucial for industrial development.
   • Industries prefer locations with good road, rail, air, and port facilities.
4. Labor:
   • Availability of skilled and unskilled labor influences industrial location.
   • Areas with educational and training facilities attract high-tech industries.
5. Power:
   • Industries requiring large amounts of power are located near energy sources.
   • Hydroelectric plants, thermal power stations, and renewable energy sources play a role.
6. Capital:
   • Access to capital and financial institutions is essential for setting up and expanding industries.
   • Urban centers with banks and investment firms are preferred locations.

Major Industrial Regions:

• Industrial regions are areas with a high concentration of industries.
• Examples include the Ruhr region in Germany, the Great Lakes region in the USA, and the Chota Nagpur Plateau in India.

Trends in Modern Industrial Activities:

1. High-Tech Industries:
   • High-tech industries involve advanced scientific and engineering activities.
   • Examples include electronics, biotechnology, and aerospace industries.
2. Technopolies:
   • Regions with a concentration of high-tech industries are known as technopolies.
   • Silicon Valley in the USA and Bangalore in India are examples.
3. Footloose Industries:
   • These industries are not tied to any specific location and can operate in various places.
   • They often involve small-scale production and rely on component parts that can be sourced globally.
4. Agglomeration Economies:
   • Industries benefit from being close to each other, sharing services, and infrastructure.
   • Industrial hubs and clusters promote efficiency and innovation.

Assignments for CBSE Class 12 Geography Chapter “Secondary Activities – Fundamentals of Human Geography”

1. Case Study Analysis: Analyze the factors influencing the location of a major industrial region in a specific country.
2. Research Project: Investigate the development and impact of high-tech industries in a particular region.
3. Debate Preparation: Prepare for a debate on the advantages and disadvantages of footloose industries.
4. Chart Creation: Create a flowchart illustrating the factors influencing industrial location and their interconnections.
5. Role Play: Conduct a mock business meeting where students represent different industries discussing their location strategies and challenges.

Conclusion

The chapter “Secondary Activities – Fundamentals of Human Geography” provides an in-depth understanding of the processes involved in manufacturing and the factors influencing the location of industries. It highlights the characteristics of modern industries and the trends shaping industrial activities in the contemporary world.