3.3 Industry: Explain types of industry and factors influencing industrial location.
3.3 Industry: Types & Location Factors
Think of industry as a big garden. Different plants (industries) need different conditions – some love sunshine (raw materials), others need water (labour), and some thrive in a sunny, well‑ventilated greenhouse (infrastructure). In geography, we study what kinds of industries exist and why they choose particular places to grow.
Types of Industry
| Category | Key Activities | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Extraction of natural resources – mining, fishing, farming. | Gold mining in South Africa 🌍 |
| Secondary | Manufacturing and processing – factories, construction. | Automobile production in Detroit 🚗 |
| Tertiary | Services – retail, transport, finance, education. | Banking in London 💰 |
| Quaternary | Knowledge‑based – research, IT, media. | Tech startups in Silicon Valley 💻 |
Factors Influencing Industrial Location
- 🚚 Transport Costs: Proximity to roads, rail, ports, and airports reduces shipping costs.
- 👩🏭 Labour Availability & Cost: Areas with skilled workers or low wages attract factories.
- ⛰️ Natural Resources: Industries need raw materials close by – e.g., steel plants near iron ore deposits.
- 🏢 Infrastructure: Reliable electricity, water, and communication networks are essential.
- 🏛️ Government Policy: Tax incentives, subsidies, and free trade zones can pull industry.
- 📈 Market Access: Being near large consumer markets reduces distribution time.
- 🌍 Environmental Regulations: Strict rules may push industry to regions with looser controls.
- 🤝 Agglomeration Economies: Clustering of similar firms reduces costs through shared services.
Example Case Studies
-
Detroit, USA – Automotive Hub
• Close to iron ore and coal (raw materials).
• Access to the Great Lakes for shipping.
• Large skilled labour pool from the Midwest.
• Government support in the early 20th century. -
Bangalore, India – IT & Software
• Availability of highly educated graduates.
• Low labour costs compared to Western countries.
• Good telecom infrastructure.
• Government incentives for tech parks. -
Bangladesh – Textile & Garment
• Cheap, abundant labour.
• Proximity to raw cotton and jute.
• Export-oriented policies and free trade agreements.
• Access to ports for shipping to Europe and the US.
Examination Tips
Remember to:
• Identify the type of industry (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary).
• List at least four location factors and explain how each influences the industry’s choice of site.
• Use real‑world examples to support your answer.
• Show understanding of agglomeration economies and transport costs.
• Keep your answer clear and concise – aim for 3–4 sentences per point.
• Use the word “location” and “factors” where relevant.
Revision
Log in to practice.