Structure of Economic Activity by Sectors

Vocabulary flashcards that summarize the core terms and definitions related to economic sectors, their characteristics, and influencing factors.

Economic activities

All human actions aimed at obtaining goods and services to satisfy needs by using natural resources, labor, and transforming raw materials.

Primary sector

Economic sector that directly exploits natural resources through activities such as agriculture, livestock, fishing, forestry, and mining.

Secondary sector

Sector dedicated to transforming raw materials into semi-finished or finished products; includes industry, manufacturing, and construction.

Tertiary sector

Sector that provides intangible goods—services such as education, health, commerce, transport, and tourism.

Quaternary sector

Modern sector focused on knowledge-based activities like software development, telecommunications, financial services, and scientific research.

Raw material

Unprocessed natural resource supplied mainly by the primary sector and used by the secondary sector for manufacturing.

Productivity (in primary sector)

Output level of primary activities, largely dependent on climate, soil quality, and technology access.

Factors influencing economic activities

Key determinants such as climate, relief & soil, geographic location, available natural resources, technology, culture, and customs.

Cultural landscape

The modified natural environment (cities, roads, factories, farmland) created by humans to meet economic and social needs.

Demographic factor

Influence of population size on the demand for goods and services, accelerating transformation of natural landscapes.

Interconnection of sectors

Mutual dependence where the primary sector supplies raw materials, the secondary transforms them, the tertiary distributes services, and the quaternary drives innovation.

Agriculture

Primary-sector activity involving cultivation of land to produce food and raw materials.

Industry

Secondary-sector branch where raw or semi-processed materials are converted into finished goods at scale.

Services

Intangible outputs delivered by the tertiary sector to meet social and economic needs.

Innovation (economic context)

Creation and application of new ideas, technologies, or methods, central to the quaternary sector and modern economic growth.