Economic Geography (Prelim)

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What is an economic sector?

A category of economic activity grouped according to the type of goods or services produced.

What are the four main economic sectors?

Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.

What is the primary sector?

The sector that extracts or harvests natural resources.

Give examples of primary-sector activities.

Agriculture, mining, forestry and fishing.

What is the secondary sector?

The sector that processes raw materials into semi-finished or finished products.

What is beneficiation?

Adding value to raw materials through processing or manufacturing.

Give examples of secondary-sector activities.

Manufacturing, construction and processing industries.

What is the tertiary sector?

The sector that provides services to consumers and businesses.

Give examples of tertiary-sector activities.

Retail, transport, tourism, banking, healthcare and education.

What is the quaternary sector?

The knowledge-based sector involving information, research, technology and specialised services.

Give examples of quaternary-sector activities.

Research, information technology, data analysis and scientific development.

How is South Africa's economy generally structured?

The tertiary sector makes the largest contribution, while primary activities employ fewer people but remain important for exports and raw materials.

Why is the tertiary sector important to South Africa?

It provides a large share of employment and contributes significantly to GDP.

Why is the primary sector still important despite employing fewer people?

It supplies raw materials, earns export income and supports secondary industries.

What is GDP?

The total value of final goods and services produced within a country during a specific period.

How can graphs and statistics be used in economic geography?

They can compare sector contributions, employment, production, exports and changes over time.

What should be considered when interpreting economic statistics?

The date, source, units, trends, percentages and possible changes over time.

Why is agriculture important to South Africa's economy?

It contributes to food production, employment, exports, rural development and agro-processing.

What is commercial agriculture?

Large-scale farming mainly aimed at producing goods for profit and the market.

What is small-scale agriculture?

Farming on relatively small areas using fewer resources and often supplying households or local markets.

What is subsistence farming?

Farming mainly intended to provide food for the farmer and their family.

What are the main characteristics of large-scale farmers?

They generally have more land, capital, machinery, technology and access to formal markets.

What are the main characteristics of small-scale farmers?

They generally operate on smaller farms with limited capital, machinery and access to markets.

How do small-scale farmers contribute to South Africa?

They support local food supplies, provide employment and contribute to rural livelihoods.

How do large-scale farmers contribute to South Africa?

They produce large quantities for domestic consumption, processing industries and export markets.

What is a domestic market?

A market within South Africa where goods are sold to local consumers and businesses.

What is an export market?

A market outside South Africa where locally produced goods are sold internationally.

Name important agricultural products produced in South Africa.

Maize, citrus, grapes, wine, sugar cane, wheat, livestock, wool and fruit.

Which crop is an important staple food in South Africa?

Maize.

Why are agricultural exports important?

They earn foreign exchange and contribute to the national economy.

What physical factor most strongly influences agricultural production?

Climate.

How does rainfall influence agriculture?

It determines water availability and affects which crops can be grown and how productive farming can be.

Why is irrigation important in South African agriculture?

Many areas receive insufficient or unreliable rainfall for intensive crop production.

What is irrigation?

The artificial supply of water to crops.

What is a major disadvantage of irrigation?

It can cause water shortages, soil salinisation and environmental pressure if poorly managed.

How does temperature influence agriculture?

Different crops require different temperature ranges for successful growth.

How does frost affect agriculture?

It can damage or destroy sensitive crops and reduce yields.

Why is soil important for agriculture?

Soil provides nutrients, water and physical support for plants.

What are fertile soils?

Soils containing sufficient nutrients and suitable properties for plant growth.

How can soil degradation hinder agriculture?

It reduces soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

What is soil erosion?

The removal of topsoil by water or wind.

Why is topsoil important?

It contains nutrients and organic matter needed for productive agriculture.

How can drought hinder agriculture?

It reduces water availability, lowers crop yields and can cause livestock losses.

How can climate change affect South African agriculture?

It can increase droughts, heat extremes and rainfall variability.

How does topography influence agriculture?

Steep slopes make mechanised farming difficult and increase the risk of erosion.

Why is flat land generally favourable for commercial farming?

It allows easier mechanisation and large-scale cultivation.

How can land ownership affect agriculture?

Unequal access to land can limit agricultural opportunities and investment.

How can land reform influence agriculture?

It aims to improve access to land but requires support, skills and resources for successful production.

How can trade affect South African agriculture?

Trade provides access to export markets but also exposes farmers to international competition.

How can international competition hinder local farmers?

Cheaper imported products may reduce demand for locally produced goods.

How can transport infrastructure support agriculture?

It allows agricultural products to reach markets and ports more efficiently.

Why is access to capital important for farmers?

Capital is needed for land, machinery, seeds, fertiliser, irrigation and other inputs.

Why is technology important in modern agriculture?

It can improve productivity, efficiency and resource management.

What is food security?

A situation in which people have reliable physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.

What is food insecurity?

A situation in which people lack reliable access to sufficient nutritious food.

What is food availability?

The presence of enough food through production, imports and distribution.

What is food access?

The ability of people to obtain food physically and financially.

What is food utilisation?

The ability to use food effectively through adequate nutrition, health and sanitation.

What is food stability?

Reliable access to food over time without frequent disruption.

Why can food insecurity exist even when a country produces enough food?

Some people may not have enough income or access to buy the available food.

How does poverty contribute to food insecurity?

Poor households may not be able to afford sufficient nutritious food.

How does unemployment contribute to food insecurity?

It reduces household income and the ability to purchase food.

How can drought cause food insecurity?

It reduces agricultural production and may increase food prices.

How can rising food prices affect food security?

Poor households may be forced to buy less food or cheaper, less nutritious food.

How can population growth affect food security?

It increases demand for food and pressure on agricultural resources.

How can water scarcity threaten food security?

Agriculture depends heavily on reliable water supplies.

How can land degradation threaten food security?

It reduces the productive capacity of agricultural land.

How can climate change threaten food security?

It can disrupt agricultural production through changing temperatures and rainfall patterns.

How can improved agricultural technology support food security?

It can increase yields and improve the efficient use of water and other resources.

Why are small-scale farmers important for food security?

They can increase local food production and improve food availability in rural communities.

What should be considered in a food-security case study?

Causes of food insecurity, affected communities, consequences and possible solutions.

Why is mining important to South Africa?

It contributes to exports, employment, government revenue, industrial development and the supply of raw materials.

How did mining contribute to the development of South Africa?

Mining stimulated urbanisation, transport development, industrialisation and the growth of major cities.

What is a mineral resource?

A naturally occurring material in the Earth's crust that can be extracted for economic use.

Name major minerals mined in South Africa.

Platinum-group metals, gold, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromium and diamonds.

Why are mineral exports important?

They earn foreign exchange and connect South Africa to global markets.

How does mining support secondary industries?

Mining supplies raw materials for manufacturing and processing.

What infrastructure can develop because of mining?

Railways, roads, electricity systems, towns and processing facilities.

What is a factor that favours mining in South Africa?

The country has significant and diverse mineral resources.

Why is geological knowledge important in mining?

It helps locate and evaluate economically viable mineral deposits.

How does infrastructure favour mining?

Good transport and energy infrastructure can reduce production and transport costs.

Why is electricity important to mining?

Mining operations and mineral processing require large amounts of energy.

How can electricity shortages hinder mining?

They disrupt production and increase operating costs.

How can labour problems hinder mining?

Strikes and labour disputes can reduce production and profitability.

How can fluctuating mineral prices affect mining?

Lower prices can reduce profits and make some mines uneconomical.

Why are deep mines expensive?

They require more advanced technology, energy and safety measures.

How can environmental concerns affect mining?

Mining can cause pollution, land degradation and water contamination.

What is mine rehabilitation?

Restoring land and ecosystems affected by mining.

How can water shortages hinder mining?

Mining and mineral processing often require substantial quantities of water.

How can transport infrastructure affect mineral exports?

Efficient railways and ports reduce the cost and time required to reach international markets.

Why can illegal mining be a challenge?

It creates safety risks, economic losses and environmental damage.

What should be examined in a mineral case study?

The mineral's location, economic importance, development, advantages, challenges and environmental impacts.

What does the secondary sector contribute to South Africa?

Manufacturing, construction, value addition, employment and industrial development.

What does the tertiary sector contribute to South Africa?

Services, employment, trade, finance and support for other economic sectors.

What is an industry?

An economic activity involved in producing goods or providing specialised services.

What is a heavy industry?

An industry producing large, bulky or capital-intensive products.

Give examples of heavy industries.

Steel production, shipbuilding and heavy machinery manufacturing.

What is a light industry?

An industry producing relatively small consumer goods.

Give examples of light industries.

Clothing, food processing and electronics assembly.

What is a raw-material-orientated industry?

An industry located close to its raw materials.