Economic & Human Geography of the World

1. Global Economic Geography

Economic geography studies the spatial variation of human economic activities. This encompasses primary (agriculture, mining), secondary (manufacturing), and tertiary (services) sectors.

A. Major Agricultural Types

• Shifting Cultivation: Slashing and burning a patch of forest to clear it for agriculture. Known as Jhumming in North-East India, Milpa in Mexico/Central America, Roca in Brazil, Ladang in Malaysia/Indonesia.
• Nomadic Herding: Seasonal movement of livestock (transhumance) for pasture. Practiced in arid regions of Central Asia, Sahara, Tundra.
• Commercial Grain Farming: Highly mechanized, large-scale farming. Mainly wheat. Practiced in temperate grasslands (Prairies, Steppes, Pampas).
• Plantation Agriculture: Growing a single cash crop on a large estate (Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Sugarcane). Introduced by Europeans in tropical regions.
• Mediterranean Agriculture: Highly specialized commercial agriculture (citrus fruits, viticulture/grapes, olives) practiced in regions bordering the Mediterranean Sea, California, and South Africa.

B. Global Mineral Distribution

• Iron Ore: Australia, Brazil, China, Russia are top producers. Major regions: Pilbara (Australia), Carajas (Brazil).
• Copper: Chile is the undisputed leader (Chuquicamata mine). Also Peru, China.
• Gold: China, Australia, Russia. South Africa (Witwatersrand) was historically the largest.
• Uranium: Kazakhstan (largest producer), Canada, Australia (largest reserves).
• Petroleum/Oil: Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, UAE), USA, Russia, Venezuela (largest proven reserves).

C. Major Industrial Regions

• North America: Rust Belt (Great Lakes Region - struggling heavy industry), Silicon Valley (California - IT), Texas (Petrochemicals).
• Europe: Ruhr Valley (Germany - coal and steel), Midlands (UK), Po Valley (Italy).
• Asia: Kanto Plain (Japan), Pearl River Delta (China - global manufacturing hub), Manchuria (heavy industries).

2. Global Human Geography

Human geography focuses on the study of people, communities, cultures, economies, and interactions with the environment.

A. Population Distribution and Density

• The world's population is unevenly distributed. Over 60% of people live in just 10 countries (China, India, USA, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Russia, Mexico).
• High Density Areas: River valleys (Ganges, Yangtze, Nile), fertile plains, and highly industrialized/urbanized zones (Western Europe, Eastern North America).
• Low Density Areas: Extreme climates limit human habitation. Deserts (Sahara, Outback), high mountains (Himalayas, Andes), cold regions (Antarctica, Tundra), and dense tropical rainforests (Amazon).

B. Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

A model describing population change over time as a country develops:

• Stage 1 (High Stationary): High birth rate, high death rate. Low population growth (Pre-industrial, e.g., isolated tribes).
• Stage 2 (Early Expanding): High birth rate, declining death rate (better healthcare/sanitation). Rapid population growth (Many Sub-Saharan African countries).
• Stage 3 (Late Expanding): Declining birth rate (urbanization, education), low death rate. Slowing population growth (India, Brazil).
• Stage 4 (Low Stationary): Low birth rate, low death rate. Stable/low population growth (USA, UK).
• Stage 5 (Declining): Birth rate drops below death rate. Aging population and natural decrease (Japan, Germany).

C. Migration

• Push Factors: Reasons people leave a place (unemployment, war, famine, poverty, political persecution, natural disasters).
• Pull Factors: Reasons people are attracted to a new place (better jobs, education, safety, political freedom, favorable climate).
• Types: Internal (rural to urban - very common in developing nations) and International (brain drain).

D. Major Human Races and Tribes

• Eskimos/Inuits: Tundra region of North America and Greenland.
• Pygmies: Congo basin (Africa).
• Bushmen: Kalahari desert (Southern Africa).
• Bedouins: Arabian deserts.
• Maoris: Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.