Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. What is the present average density population of World and India?
Ans: Average density population of the world is 45 persons per sq. km. and India is 364 persons per sq. km.

Q2. Name is least populous continent of the world.
Ans: Antarctica is the least populated continent in the world.

Q3. What do you mean by the age-sex pyramid?
Ans: Age-sex pyramid also known as the Population Pyramid is a graphical representation of the age, sex composition of the population.

Q4. List out the factors responsible for the rapid growth of world population.
Ans: Factors responsible for the rapid growth of world population are:
(a) Geographical Factors: Relief, Climate, Natural Resources, Soil, Water, Minerals.
(b) Social Factors.
(c) Cultural Factors.
(d) Economic Factors.

Q5. Define the following: (a) Birth Rate (b) Death Rate (c) Human Resource.
Ans:
(a) Birth Rate: The number of live births per 1000 persons is called birth rate.
(b) Death Rate: The number of deaths per 1000 persons is called death rate.
(c) Human Resource: Human Resource or people are the greatest asset to a nation. Human beings use their knowledge and skill to convert natural resource into more valuable goods.

 

Short Answer Questions

Q1. How would you distinguish between productive and dependent population?
Ans:

Q2. Discuss the importance of human resource.
Ans: Human resource or people are a nation's greatest resource; they are an asset to a nation. People are important to develop the economy and society. It is people with their demands and abilities that turn a thing into 'resources'. Human beings use their knowledge and skill to convert natural resource into more valuable goods. Hence, human resource is the ultimate resource. Healthy, educated and motivated people develop resources as per their requirements. Human resources like other resources are not equally distributed over the world.

 

Long Answer Questions

Q1. Describe the various factors affecting the distribution of population in the world.
Ans: Following are the factors affecting the distribution of population in the world:
Geographical Factors:
(a) Topography: People always prefer to live on plains rather than mountains and plateaus because these areas are suitable for farming, manufacturing and service activities. The Ganga plains are the most densely populated areas of the world while mountains like Andes, Alps and Himalayas are sparsely populated.
(b) Climate: People usually avoid extreme climates that are very hot or very cold like Sahara desert, Polar Regions of Russia, Canada and Antarctica.
(c) Soil: Fertile soils provide suitable land for agriculture. Fertile plains such as Ganga and Brahmaputra in India, Hwang-He, Chang Jiang in China and the Nile in Egypt are densely populated.
(d) Water: People prefer to live in the areas where fresh water is easily available. The river valleys of the world are densely populated while deserts have spare population.
(e) Minerals: Areas with mineral deposits are more populated. Diamond mines of South Africa and discovery of oil in the Middle east lead to settling of people in these areas.

Social, Cultural and Economic Factors:
(a) Social: Areas of better housing, education and health facilities are more densely populated e.g., Pune.
(b) Cultural: Places with religion or cultural significance attract people. Varanasi, Jerusalem and Vatican City are some examples.
(c) Economic: Industrial areas provide employment opportunities. Large number of people are attracted to these areas. Osaka in Japan and Mumbai in India are two densely populated areas.

Q2. Compare the population pyramid of India and Japan. Draw your inferences.
Ans:

Q3. Some regions in India experiencing a steep decline in the sex-ratio. It is unhealthy for the society. Find out reasons and suggest ways to check it.
Ans: Number of female per 1000 male population is called sex ratio. The sex ratio in 2001 was 933 and in 2011 in were 940. Kerala has the best sex ratio (1084); while Sex ration in Gujarat is 919, Haryana (879) and Delhi (868) have the worst sex ratios.
Steep decline in the sex-ratio is a serious threat to the nation. Following are some of the reasons of decline in the sex-ratio:
(a) Girls in India are taken as a liability, one day she will get married and leave the house; Parents have to pay a huge dowry.
(b) Safety and security is a great concern for family.
(c) India is a male dominated country.
(d) Female Feticide, girl child are killed before her birth.
(e) Females often face Malnutrition, leading to ill health.

Steps that can be taken to improve the sex-ratio in India:
(a) People should be educated. Every Indian should change their mindset. Girls are not burden but they are the blessings of the almighty.
(b) Equal rights to male and females.
(c) Female Feticide should be completely banned.
(d) Education for girls.
(e) Nutritious food to be provided.
(f) Every male should respect females in all aspects.
(g) Government of India should take serious steps for the overall development of females.

Q4. China has greater population than India, but has less population density as a whole, while compared to India. Why?
Ans:

Comparing the data between India and China, area wise China is approximately three times bigger than India, whereas Population wise India's is little less than China, making India more densely populated country than China.

 

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Important points to remember:

1. Demography: The study of population is known as Demography.

2. Census: The official collection of population data by all means is known as Census. This is conducted once in ten years. Currently, we are following 2011 census. In 1872, first population census of India was conducted. The Census of India 2011 is the fifteenth census starting from1872 and the seventh since independence.

3. Human beings use their knowledge and skill to convert natural resource into more valuable goods.

4. It is people with their demands and abilities that turn them into 'resources'.

5. Human resources like other resources are not equally distributed over the world. They differ in their educational levels, age and sex.

6. More than 90% of the world population lives in the continents of the Northern Hemisphere (Continents found in the northern hemisphere include Europe, Caribbean, North America and Central America. Other continents such Asia, Africa and South America), where as only 10% of the population resides in the continents of the Southern Hemisphere (Continents found entirely in the southern hemisphere are Antarctica and Australia. Other continents have parts in this region, and they include Africa, Asia and South America).

 

7. Birth Rate: Births are usually measured using the birth rate i.e. the number of live births per 1,000 people.they include Africa, Asia and South America).5. Human resources like other resources are not equally distributed over the world. They differ in their educational levels, age and sex.

8. Death Rate: Deaths are usually measured using the death rate i.e. the number of deaths per 1,000 people.

9. Migrations is the movement of people in and out of an area. Emigrants are people who leave a country; Immigrants are those who arrive in a country.

10. Natural Growth Rate: Births and deaths are the natural causes of population change. The difference between the birth rate and the death rate of a country is called the natural growth rate.

11. Population Pyramid is a graphical representation of the age, sex composition of the population.

 

Study of Population includes:

• Population Size and Distribution.
• Population Growth and Process of Population Change.
• Characteristics or qualities of the population.

 

FACTORS AFFECTING DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION

                                     

GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS:

1. Topography: People always prefer to live on plains rather than mountains and plateaus because these areas are suitable for farming, manufacturing and service activities. The Ganga plains are the most densely populated areas of the world while mountains like Andes, Alps and Himalayas are sparsely populated.

2. Climate: People usually avoid extreme climates that are very hot or very cold like Sahara desert, polar regions of Russia, Canada and Antarctica.

3. Soil: Fertile soils provide suitable land for agriculture. Fertile plains such as Ganga and Brahmaputra in India, Hwang-He, Chang Jiang in China and the Nile in Egypt are densely populated.

4. Water: People prefer to live in the areas where fresh water is easily available. The river valleys of the world are densely populated while deserts have spare population.
Minerals: Areas with mineral deposits are more populated. Diamond mines of South Africa and discovery of oil in the Middle east lead to settling of people in these areas.

 

Social, Cultural and Economic Factors:

1. Social: Areas of better housing, education and health facilities are more densely populated e.g., Pune.

2. Cultural: Places with religion or cultural significance attract people. Varanasi, Jerusalem and Vatican city are some examples.

3. Economic: Industrial areas provide employment opportunities. Large number of people are attracted to these areas. Osaka in Japan and Mumbai in India are two densely populated areas.

 

POPULATION CHANGE
1. The population change refers to change in the number of people during a specific time. The world population has not been stable, it keeps on changing from time to time. The changes occur due to change in the number of births and deaths.

2. Birth Rate: Births are usually measured using the birth rate i.e. the number of live births per 1,000 people.

3. Death Rate: Deaths are usually measured using the death rate i.e. the number of deaths per 1,000 people.

4. A migration is the movement of people in and out of an area. Out-migration or Emigrants are people who leave a country & In-migration or Immigrants are those who arrive in a country.

5. Natural Growth Rate: Births and deaths are the natural causes of population change. The difference between the birth rate and the death rate of a country is called the natural growth rate. The population increase in the world is mainly due to rapid increase in natural growth rate.

 

PATTERNS OF POPULATION CHANGE
Rates of population growth vary from country to country. Some countries like Kenya have high population growth rates. They had both high birth rates and death rates. In other countries like United Kingdom, population growth is slowing because of both low death and low birth rates.
Now, with improving health care, death rates have fallen, but birth rates still remain high leading to high growth rates.

 

 DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION

The way in which people are spread across the earth surface is known as the pattern of population distribution. Sixty per cent of the world's people stay in just 10 countries. All of them have more than a 100 million people.

 

DENSITY OF POPULATION

Population density is the number of people living in a unit area of the earth's surface. It is normally expressed as per square km. The average density of population in the whole world is 51 persons per square km.

 

COMPOSITION OF POPULATION
1. The structure of population is known as the Composition of Population.
2. It helps us to understand the number of males and females, rural and urban population, literate and illiterates, working and non-working population, income and health status.
3. An interesting way of studying the population composition of a country is by looking at the population pyramid, also called an age-sex pyramid. It helps us to know the population under different age groups (i.e. 0 – 15, 15 – 59 and 60 & above). It also shows the number of males and females under each group.

     

 

 

 

 

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Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. Define the term manufacturing.
Ans: Production of goods in large quantities after processing from raw material to more valuable products is called "Manufacturing".

Q2. Which Indian city is known as "The Manchester of India"?
Ans: Ahmedabad city is known as "The Manchester of India"

Q3. List out the physical and human factors of industrial location.
Ans: Physical Factors: Land, water, power, raw material, etc.
Human Factors: Capital, labour, policies, market, technology, transportation, communication, etc.

Q4. State any four industrial regions of the world.
Ans: Major industrial regions of the world are:
(a) Great Lakes Industrial Region of North America.
(b) Rhur-Saar Industrial Region of Europe.
(c) London Industrial Region.
(d) Ural-Ukraine Industrial Region of Russia.
(e) Sydney Industrial Region of Australia.

Q5. What do you mean by information technology?
Ans: The information technology industry deals in the storage, processing and distribution of information through Radio, Television, Telephones, Cellular Phones, Computers, Laptops, etc.

 

Short Answer Questions

Q1. Explain how industries are classified on the basis of raw material.

Ans:

Q2. How would you distinguish between large scale and small scale industries?
Ans:

Q3. In what ways do the public sector industries differ from private sector industries?
Ans:

 

Long Answer Questions

Q1. Explain the factors favourable for the development of the IT industry in Bangaluru.
Ans. Following are the factors favourable for the development of the IT industry in Bangaluru:
(a) Bangalore is located on the Deccan Plateau from where it gets the name 'Silicon Plateau'.
(b) The city is known for its mild climate throughout the year. Pleasant weather, low cost of living, makes it an ideal place for living.
(c) Good transport facility, availability of skilled and experienced professionals.
(d) The city has many leading educational institutes.
(e) More than 100 multinational and software companies have established their business.
(f) The government of Karnataka was the first to sanction the establishment of IT industry.

Q2. Manufacturing industries are important for the economic development of the country, discuss.
Ans: Following are importance of manufacturing industries for the economic development of the country:
(a) Industrial growth helps in modernising the agricultural activities by providing machinery, chemicals, irrigation facilities, insecticides, pesticides, etc.
(b) Industrial growth helps in reducing the unemployment and poverty.
(c) Industrial growth can earn foreign exchange by exporting the finished goods and thus, can expand its trade and commerce.
(d) Industrial growth helps in improving the standard of living of the people.

Q3. Compare and contrast the development of the iron and steel industry in Pittsburgh and in Jamshedpur.
Ans:

Q4. Discuss the locational advantages for the development of the cotton textile industry in Ahmedabad.
Ans: Following are the locational advantages for the development of cotton textile industry in Ahmedabad:
(a) Ahmedabad is located in Gujarat on the banks of the Sabarmati River.
(b) Ahmedabad is situated very close to cotton growing area. This ensures easy availability of raw material.
(c) The climate is ideal for spinning and weaving.
(d) The flat terrain and easy availability of land is suitable for the establishment of the mills.
(e) The densely populated states of Gujarat and Maharashtra provide both skilled and semi-skilled labour.
(f) Well developed road and railway network permits easy transportation of textiles to different parts of the country, thus providing easy access to the market. Mumbai and Kandla ports nearby facilitates import of machinery and export of cotton textiles.

Q5. Enlist the four mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of industrial accidents.
Ans: Following are the mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of industrial accidents:
(a) Densely populated residential areas should be separated far away from the industrial areas.
(b) People staying in the vicinity of industries should be aware of the storage of toxins or hazardous substances and their possible effects in case if an accident occurs.
(c) Fire warning and fighting system should be improved.
(d) Storage capacity of toxic substances should be limited.
(e) Pollution dispersion qualities in the industries should be improved.

 

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There are three types of economic activities. These are:

1. Primary Activities: Connected with extraction and production of natural resources like forestry, agriculture, mining, animal husbandry, etc.

2. Secondary Activities: Connected with processing and manufacturing. They get raw material from the Primary sector. When the primary product is processed into a secondary product, its utility and value is increased.

3. Tertiary Activities: Provides support to Primary and Secondary sectors through services, e.g. transportation, banking, tourism, etc.

 

MANUFACTURING: Production of goods in large quantities after processing from raw material to more valuable products is called "Manufacturing".

INDUSTRY: Industry refers to an economic activity that is concerned with the production of goods, extraction of minerals or the provision of services.

THE ECONOMIC STRENGTH OF A COUNTRY IS MEASURED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

 

Q. Why manufacturing sector is considered as the economic backbone of a country?
Ans: -

• Industrial growth helps in modernising the agricultural activities by providing machinery, chemicals, irrigation facilities, insecticides, pesticides, etc.
• Industrial growth helps in reducing the unemployment and poverty.
• Industrial growth can earn foreign exchange by exporting the finished goods and thus, can expand its trade and commerce.

 

INDUSTRIAL LOCATION

Factors effecting the location of an Industry are: -

 

• Industrialization leads to urbanization.

 

 

• Government policies also play a key factor in deciding the location of an industry. The government provides incentives like subsidised power, lower transport cost and other infrastructure

 

 

INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM

An industrial system consists of inputs, processes and outputs.

Input: Raw materials, labour, costs of land, transport, power and other infrastructure.
Process: All activities that convert the raw material into finished products.
Output: End/ Final/Finished product and the income earned from it.

 

INDUSTRIAL REGIONS

• The region where a number of industries locate close to each other and share the benefits of their closeness can be termed as Industrial regions.
• Major industrial regions tend to be located in the temperate areas, near sea ports and especially near coal fields.

Industrial Regions of the World are: -
1. Great Lakes Industrial Region of North America.
2. Rhur-Saar Industrial Region of Europe.
3. London Industrial Region.
4. Ural-Ukraine Industrial Region of Russia.
5. Sydney Industrial Region of Australia.

Major industrial regions in India are: -
1. Mumbai-Pune cluster
2. Bangalore-Tamil Nadu region
3. Hugli region
4. Ahmedabad-Baroda region
5. Chottanagpur industrial belt
6. Vishakhapatnam-Guntur belt
7. Gurgaon-Delhi-Meerut region
8. Kollam-Thiruvanathapuram industrial cluster.

 

CLASSIFICATION OF INDUSTRIES

 

1. On the basis of Raw Materials: These types of industries are classified depending on the type of raw materials they use.

    (a) Agro Based Industries: Use plant and animal based products as their raw materials. E.g. Food processing, vegetable oil, cotton textile, dairy products, etc.
    (b) Mineral Based Industries: Primary industries that use mineral ores as their raw materials. The products of these industries feed other industries. Iron made from iron ore is the product of mineral based industry. E.g. Iron& Steel, Cement, Machine Tools, etc.
    (c) Marine Based Industries: Use products from the sea and oceans as raw materials. E.g. processed sea food, fish oil manufacturers, etc.
    (d) Forest Based Industries: Use forest produce as raw materials. E.g. pulp & paper, furniture. Pharmaceuticals, etc.

2. On the basis of Size: These types of industries are classified depending on the amount of capital invested, number of people employed and the volume of production.

    (a) Large Scale Industries: In India, on an industry, if the capital invested is more than 1 crore, then it is called Large Scale Industry. E.g. Iron & Steel Industries, Automobile Industries, etc.
    (b) Small Scale Industries: In India, on an industry, if the capital invested is less than 1 crore, then it is called Small Scale Industry. E.g. Silk weaving, Food processing industries, etc.

Cottage or household industries are a type of small scale industry where the products are manufactured by hand, by the artisans with the help of family members. E.g. Basket weaving, pottery, handicrafts, etc.

3. On the basis of Ownership: These types of industries are classified on the basis of ownership.

    (a) Private Sector Industries: Owned and operated by individuals or a group of individuals. E.g. Bajaj Auto, Reliance, etc.
    (b) Public Sector Industries: Owned and operated by the government. E.g. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Heavy Electronics Ltd. (BHEL), SAIL, etc.
    (c) Joint Sector Industries: Owned and operated by the state and individuals or a group of individuals. Maruti Udyog Limited. E.g. processed sea food, fish oil manufacturers, etc.
    (d) Co-operative Sector Industries: Owned and operated by the producers or suppliers of raw materials, workers or both. E.g. IFFCO, Anand Milk Union Limited (AMUL) and Sudha Dairy, etc.

 

INDUSTRIAL DISASTER
In industries, accidents/disasters mainly occur due to technical failure or irresponsible handling of hazardous material.

One of the worst industrial disasters of all time occurred in Bhopal on 3 December 1984 around 00:30 a.m. It was a technological accident in which highly poisonous Methyl Isocynate (MIC) gas along with Hydrogen Cyanide and other reaction products leaked out of the pesticide factory of Union Carbide. The official death toll was 3,598 in 1989. Thousands, who survived still suffer from one or many ailments like blindness, impaired immune system, gastrointestinal disorders etc.

Mitigation Strategies
1. Densely populated residential areas should be separated far away from the industrial areas.
2. People staying in the vicinity of industries should be aware of the storage of toxins or hazardous substances and their possible effects in case if an accident occurs.
3. Fire warning and fighting system should be improved.
4. Storage capacity of toxic substances should be limited.
5. Pollution dispersion qualities in the industries should be improved.

 

DISTRIBUTION OF MAJOR INDUSTRIES

The world's three major industries are:
1. Iron & Steel Industry
2. Textile Industry
3. Information Technology Industry

The iron & steel and textile industry are the older industries while information technology is an emerging industry.

EMERGING INDUSTRIES ARE ALSO KNOWN AS 'SUNRISE INDUSTRIES'

 

IRON & STEEL INDUSTRY:

• This is basic industry.
• These industries are the feeder industry whose products are used as raw material for other industries.
• Inputs: Raw materials such as iron ore, coal and limestone, along with labour, capital, site and other infrastructure.
• Process: Converting iron ore into steel involves many stages. The raw material is put in the blast furnace where it undergoes smelting and then it is refined.
• Output: Steel is obtained which is used by other industries as raw material.
• Steel is often called the backbone of modern industry.
• Almost everything we use is either made of iron or steel or has been made with tools and machinery of these metals. From safety pin to Ships, trains, trucks, and autos are made largely of steel.
• Before 1800 A.D. iron and steel industry was located where raw materials, power supply and running water were easily available.
• Later the ideal location for the industry was near coal fields and close to canals and railways.
• After 1950, iron and steel industry began to be located on large areas of flat land near sea ports.
• India, Germany, USA, China, Japan, Russia, Korea, etc. are the countries, where steel industries are located.
• In India important steel producing centres are: Bhilai, Durgapur, Burnpur, Jamshedpur, Rourkela, Bokaro are situated in a region that spreads over four states — West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
• Bhadravati and Vijay Nagar in Karnataka, Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Salem in Tamil Nadu are other important steel centres utilising local resources.
• India's steel production increased from one million tonne in 1947 to 30 million tonnes in 2002.

 

Tata Iron and Steel Industry in Jamshedpur:

• Before 1947, there was only one iron and steel plant in the country – Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited (TISCO).
• It was privately owned.
• TISCO was started in 1907 by Jamshedji N. Tata at Sakchi in the Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, but the production started in 1910. Later on Sakchi was renamed as Jamshedpur.

Sakchi was chosen to set up the steel plant because of the following reasons: -
1. This place was only 32 km away from Kalimati station on the Bengal-Nagpur railway line.
2. It was close to the iron ore, coal and manganese deposits as well as to Kolkata, which provided a large market.
3. TISCO gets coal from Jharia coalfields, and iron ore, limestone, dolomite and manganese from Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
4. The Kharkai and Subarnarekha rivers ensured sufficient water supply.
5. Government initiatives provided adequate capital for its later development. This lead to rapid industrial growth in India.

 

Iron and Steel Industry at Pittsburgh (USA):

• It is an important steel city of the United States of America. Pittsburgh is also known as "Iron City"
• In mid 19th century processing of Iron began in Pittsburgh.
• The steel industry at Pittsburgh enjoys locational advantages. Some of the raw material such as coal is available locally, while the iron ore comes from the iron mines at Minnesota, about 1500 km from Pittsburgh. Between these mines and Pittsburgh is one of the world's best routes for shipping ore cheaply – the famous Great Lakes waterway. Trains carry the ore from the Great Lakes to the Pittsburgh area. The Ohio, the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers provide adequate water supply.
• The Geographical conditions of Pittsburgh have a favourable topography, temperate climate, skilled labour and market, which make this place favourable for the development of Iron & Steel industry.

 

TEXTILE INDUSTRY:

• Weaving cloth from yarn is an ancient art and it is done on looms. Hand operated looms are called Handlooms and power operated looms are called Powerlooms.
• Cotton, wool, silk, jute, flax have been used for making cloth.
• The textile industry can be divided on the basis of raw materials used in them.
• Fibres are the raw material of textile industry. Fibres can be natural or man-made. Natural fibres are obtained from wool, silk, cotton, linen and jute. Manmade fibres include nylon, polyester, acrylic and rayon.
• The cotton textile industry is one of the oldest industries in the world.
• India has a glorious tradition of producing excellent quality cotton textiles. Before the British rule, Indian hand spun and hand woven cloth already had a wide market. The Muslins of Dhaka, Chintzes of Masulipatnam, Calicos of Calicut and Gold-wrought cotton of Burhanpur, Surat and Vadodara were known worldwide for their quality and design. But the production of hand woven cotton textile was expensive and time consuming. Hence, traditional cotton textile industry could not face the competition from the new textile mills of the West, which produced cheap and good quality fabrics through mechanized industrial units.
• The first successful mechanized textile mill was established in Mumbai in 1854.
• The warm, moist climate, a port for importing machinery, availability of raw material and skilled labour resulted in rapid expansion of the industry in the region.
• Initially this industry flourished in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat because of favourable humid climate.
• Today, Coimbatore, Kanpur, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Pondicherry and Panipat are some of the other important centres.

 

Ahmedabad:

• It is located in Gujarat on the banks of the Sabarmati River.
• The first mill was established in 1859. It soon became the second largest textile city of India, after Mumbai.
• Ahmedabad was therefore often referred to as the 'Manchester of India'.
• Favourable locational factors were responsible for the development of the textile industry in Ahmedabad.
• Ahmedabad is situated very close to cotton growing area. This ensures easy availability of raw material.
• The climate is ideal for spinning and weaving.
• The flat terrain and easy availability of land is suitable for the establishment of the mills.
• The densely populated states of Gujarat and Maharashtra provide both skilled and semi-skilled labour.
• Well developed road and railway network permits easy transportation of textiles to different parts of the country, thus providing easy access to the market. Mumbai and Kandla ports nearby facilitates import of machinery and export of cotton textiles.

Osaka:

• It is an important textile centre of Japan, also known as the 'Manchester of Japan'.
• The extensive plain around Osaka ensured that land was easily available for the growth of cotton mills. Warm humid climate is well suited to spinning and weaving.
• The river Yodo provides sufficient water for the mills.
• Labour is easily available.
• Location of port facilitates import of raw cotton and for exporting textiles.

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT):

• Today, IT industry has become global and has become the fastest growing industry in the world.
• The information technology industry deals in the storage, processing and distribution of information through Radio, Television, Telephones, Cellular Phones, Computers, Laptops, etc.
• Availability of resources, cost and infrastructure are the main factors responsible for the location of an IT industry.
• The major hubs of the IT industry are the Silicon Valley and Bangaluru in India.

 

Silicon Valley (California, USA):

• Silicon Valley is a part of Santa Clara Valley, located on the San Francisco-California Peninsular in the USA.
• Temperate climate is favourable for the industry.
• Availability of skilled labour and market has played an important role in the grown of IT industry.

 

Bangaluru (Karnataka, India):

• Bangalore is located on the Deccan Plateau from where it gets the name 'Silicon Plateau'.
• The city is known for its mild climate throughout the year. Pleasant weather, low cost of living, makes it an ideal place for living.
• Good transport facility, availability of skilled and experienced professionals.
• More than 100 multinational and software companies have established their business.
• Other emerging information technology hubs in metropolitan centres of India such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai, Gurgaon, Pune, Thiruvanthapuram, Kochi and Chandigarh, etc.

 

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Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. What is Jhumming?
Ans: Shifting agriculture in India is known as Jhumming.

Q2. Name the three types of millets.
Ans: Three types of millets are: - Jowar, Bajra and Ragi.

Q3. State four leading producers of maize in the world.
Ans: Four leading producers of maize in the world are: North America, Brazil, China, Russia.

Q4. Which is known as the 'Golden Fiber' of India?
Ans: Jute is known as the 'Golden Fiber' of India.

Q5. Name two plantation crops.
Ans: Tea & coffee are the two main plantation crops.

 

Short Answer Questions

Q1. Distinguish between subsistence farming and commercial farming.
Ans:.

Q2. How would you differentiate between primary and secondary activities?
Ans:.

Q3. State the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of cotton.
Ans: Following are the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of cotton:
• Cotton is a fiber crop grown in tropical areas.
• Requires high temperature, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth.
• It grows best on black soil and requires atleast 6 to 8 months.
• China, USA, India, Pakistan, Brazil and Egypt are the leading producers of cotton. It is one of the main raw materials for the cotton textile industry.

Q4. Enlist three features of plantation crops.
Ans. Following are the features of plantation crops:
• It is also known as "Monoculture", i.e. single crop grown over a large area.
• Large amount of labour and capital are required.
• The produce may be processed on the farm itself or in nearby factories.
• The development of a transport network is thus essential for such farming.
• Plantations are a type of commercial farming where single crop of tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana or cotton are grown.
• Major plantations are found in the tropical regions of the world. Rubber in Malaysia, coffee in Brazil, tea in India and Sri Lanka are some examples.

 

Long Answer Questions

Q1. State the geographical conditions favourable for cultivation of rice and wheat.
Ans. Following are the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of rice and wheat:-
1. Rice:
• Rice is a kharif crop.
• Rice is the major food crop of the world. It is the staple diet of the tropical and sub-tropical regions.
• Rice needs high temperature, high humidity and rainfall. It grows best in alluvial clayey soil, which can retain water.
• Leading producers of rice in the world: - China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, etc.

2. Wheat:
• Wheat is a rabi crop.
• It requires moderate temperature and rainfall during growing season and bright sunshine at the time of harvest.
• It requires well drained loamy soil for its growth.
• Wheat is grown extensively in USA, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Australia and India.

Q2. Compare the type of farming in India with that of USA.
Ans. Following is the comparison between India and USA as per the farming:

Q3. In spite of the introduction of the Green Revolution the yield per hectare of cereals is low in India. Give four possible reasons for this.
Ans. Following are the reasons due to which the yield per hectare of cereals is low in India:
• Farming is mainly of Intensive subsistence type, average size of land holding is about 2.4 hectares.
• Most of the work is done by animal labour or human labour.
• Farming in India mainly depends on monsoons.
• Farmers are poor and illiterate.
• Farmers use traditional methods of farming, with less use of quality seeds, fertilizers, machines, etc.

 

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There are three types of economic activities. These are:
1. Primary Activities: Connected with extraction and production of natural resources like forestry, agriculture, mining, animal husbandry, etc.
2. Secondary Activities: Connected with processing and manufacturing. They get raw material from the Primary sector.
3. Tertiary Activities: Provides support to Primary and Secondary sectors through services, e.g. transportation, banking, tourism, etc.

AGRICULTURE:
• The science and art of cultivation on the soil, raising crops and rearing livestock. It is also called farming.
• The word "Agriculture" has been derived from the Latin word "Ager or Agri" meaning "Soil" and "Culture" means "Cultivation".
• Agriculture is a primary activity.
• It includes growing crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers and rearing of livestock.
• In the world, 50 per cent of persons are engaged in agricultural activity.
• Two-thirds of India's population is still dependent on agriculture.

Other activities practiced in India:
• Sericulture: Rearing of silkworms to obtain silk on a large scale.
• Pisciculture: Rearing of fishes on a large scale.
• Viticulture: Cultivation of grapes.
• Horticulture: Growing vegetables, flowers, fruits and decorative plants for commercial use.

 

Factors Influencing the Crop Cultivation:
• The land on which crops are grown is known as "Arable Land".
• Climate and Topography:
   (a) Temperature influence crop cultivation. E.g. rice and sugar cane require high temperature, whereas wheat requires moderate temperature.
   (b) Rainfall also influences crop cultivation. E.g. rice requires more water and thus is grown in wet areas whereas jowar and bajra are grown in dry areas with less   rainfall.
   (c) Soil is also vital factor influencing the crop cultivation. Plains with fertile soil and deltas are most suitable for growing crops.
• Techniques and Implements: In the modern world with the improvement is the technology and implements the crops yield has increased manifolds. Techniques like crop rotation, multiple cropping enable the farmers to grow crops continuously. Storage facilities help in saving the grains from rodent and rain.

 

Farm System:
• Agriculture or farming can be looked at as a system.
• The important inputs are seeds, fertilisers, machinery and labour.
• Some of the operations involved are ploughing, sowing, irrigation, weeding and harvesting.
• The outputs from the system include crops, wool, dairy and poultry products.

TYPES OF FARMING

Farming is practised in various ways across the world. Depending upon the geographical conditions, demand of produce, labour and level of technology, farming can be classified into following types:

SUBSISTENCE FARMING
This type of farming is practiced to meet the needs of the farmer's family. Traditionally, low levels of technology and household labour were used to produce on small output. Subsistence farming can be further classified as intensive subsistence and primitive subsistence farming.

1. Intensive Subsistence Agriculture:
• In intensive subsistence agriculture the farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.
• Climate with large number of days with sunshine and fertile soils permit growing of more than one crop annually on the same plot.
• Rice is the main crop. Other crops include wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds.
• Intensive subsistence agriculture is practiced in the thickly populated areas of the monsoon regions of south, southeast and east Asia.

2. Primitive Subsistence Agriculture:

(a) Shifting Cultivation:
• Shifting cultivation is practiced in the thickly forested areas of Amazon basin, tropical Africa, parts of Southeast Asia and Northeast India. These are the areas of heavy rainfall and quick regeneration of vegetation.
• A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and burning them. The ashes are then mixed with the soil and crops like maize, yam, potatoes and cassava are grown. When soil loses its fertility, the land is abandoned and the cultivator moves to a new plot.
• Shifting cultivation is also known as 'slash and burn' agriculture.
• It is known by different names in the world – Jhuming in North-Eastern States of India, Milpa in Mexico, Roca in Brazil, Ladang in Malaysia and Ray in Vietnam.

(b) Nomadic Herding:
• Nomadic herding is practiced in the semi-arid and arid regions of Sahara, Central Asia and some parts of India, like Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir.
• In this type of farming, Herder does not grow any fodder but move from one place to another with their animals for fodder and water, along defined routes.
• Sheep, Camel, Yak and Goats are most commonly reared. They provide milk, meat, wool and other products to the herders and their families.

 

COMMERCIAL FARMING
In commercial farming crops are grown and animals are reared for sale in market. The area cultivated and the amount of capital used is large. Most of the work is done by machines. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and high yielding variety of seeds are used in order to get maximum output.
Commercial farming includes commercial grain farming, mixed farming and plantation agriculture.
1. Commercial Grain Farming:
• Crops are grown for commercial purpose.
• Wheat and maize are common commercially grown crops.
• Major areas where commercial grain farming is practiced are temperate grasslands of North America, Europe and Asia. These areas are thinly populated with large farms spreading over hundreds of hectares.
• Severe winters restrict the growing season and only a single crop can be grown.

2. Mixed Farming:
• In mixed farming the land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock.
• It is practiced in Europe, eastern USA, Argentina, southeast Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

3. Plantations:
• It is also known as "Monoculture", i.e. single crop grown over a large area.
• Plantations are a type of commercial farming where single crop of tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana or cotton are grown.
• Large amount of labour and capital are required.
• The produce may be processed on the farm itself or in nearby factories.
• The development of a transport network is thus essential for such farming.
• Major plantations are found in the tropical regions of the world. Rubber in Malaysia, coffee in Brazil, tea in India and Sri Lanka are some examples.

 

MAJOR CROPS

India has three cropping seasons, i.e. Rabi, Kharif and Zaid.
1. Rabi: Crops are sown in winters between October to December and harvested between February to April. Major crops of this season are: wheat, barley, peas, gram, and oilseeds.
2. Kharif: Crops are sown in summers between May to July and harvested after rain i.e. between September to October. Major crops of this season are: rice, maize, jowar, bajra, sugarcane, jute.
3. Zaid: In between Rabi and Kharif crops zaid crops like: watermelon, cucumber are grown between April to June.

 

Some of the major crops are:

1. Rice:
• Rice is the major food crop of the world. It is the staple diet of the tropical and sub-tropical regions.
• Rice needs high temperature, high humidity and rainfall. It grows best in alluvial clayey soil, which can retain water.
• In Assam, West Bengal and Orissa, three crops of paddy are grown in a year known as "Aus, Aman and Boro".

2. Wheat:
• Wheat is grown in winter. It requires rainfall during growing season and bright sunshine at the time of harvest.
• Wheat is grown extensively in USA, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Australia and India.
• In India Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh are major wheat producing states.

3. Millets:
• They are also known as coarse grains and can be grown on less fertile and sandy soils.
• It needs low rainfall and high to moderate temperature.
• Jowar, bajra and ragi are millet crops grown in India.
• Other countries are Nigeria and China.

4. Maize:
• Maize is used as both food and fodder crop. It is also known as "Corn".
• Requires moderate temperature, rainfall and lots of sunshine and also, needs well-drained fertile soils.
• Maize is grown in North America, Brazil, Russia, Canada and India.

5. Cotton:
• Cotton requires high temperature, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth.
• It grows best on black soil and requires atleast 6 to 8 months.
• China, USA, India, Pakistan, Brazil and Egypt are the leading producers of cotton. It is one of the main raw materials for the cotton textile industry.

6. Jute:
• Jute was also known as the 'Golden Fiber'.
• It grows well on alluvial soil and requires high temperature, heavy rainfall and humid climate.
• This crop is grown in the tropical areas. India and Bangladesh are the leading producers of jute.

7. Coffee:
• Hill slopes are more suitable for growth of this crop.
• It requires warm & wet climate and well drained loamy soil.
• Brazil is the leading producer followed by Columbia and India.
• In India coffee is cultivated in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

8. Tea:
• Tea is a beverage crop.
• Tea plants grow well in tropical and sub-tropical climate. It requires warm and moist free climate and well distributed frequent showers throughout the year. It needs deep, fertile, well-drained loamy soils and gentle slopes, rich in humus and organic matter.
• Cheap and skilled labour is required in large number to pick the leaves. Tea is processed within the tea gardens to restore its freshness.
• India, Kenya, China, Sri Lanka produce the best quality tea in the world.
• India is the leading producer and exporter of tea. Assam, Darjeeling, West Bengal and Tripura are leading producers of tea in India.

 

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Agricultural Development refers to efforts made to increase farm production in order to meet the growing demand of increasing population.
2. This can be achieved in many ways such as:
    • Increasing the cropped area.
    • Multiple cropping (Number of crops grown in a year)
    • Improving irrigation facilities
    • Use of fertilizers and high yielding variety of seeds.
    • Mechanization of agriculture is also another aspect of agricultural development.
    • Developing countries with large populations usually practice intensive agriculture where crops are grown on small holdings mostly for subsistence.
    • Larger holdings are more suitable for commercial agriculture as in USA, Canada and Australia
    • The ultimate aim of agricultural development is to increase food security. Food security as defined by the world summit is availability, affordability and accessibility of food. In simple words, food security means all people at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs.

 

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