Primary Economic Activities
1. What are primary economic activities?
Answer: Primary economic activities involve the direct use of natural resources, like hunting, fishing, agriculture, lumbering, animal husbandry, and mining. These activities depend on nature and provide raw materials for other industries.
2. Why is hunting banned in many parts of the world?
Answer: Hunting is banned to protect endangered animals and prevent ecosystem damage. Large-scale hunting has caused extinction of species, so laws like the Wildlife Conservation Act help conserve biodiversity.
3. What is the main purpose of gathering as an occupation?
Answer: Gathering involves collecting forest products like fruits, roots, honey, and rubber for livelihood. It is practiced in forest regions and supports subsistence or commercial needs.
4. Where is lumbering mostly practiced?
Answer: Lumbering is mostly practiced in coniferous forests, found in high latitudes like Canada and Russia. These areas have tall, single-species trees suitable for commercial wood production.
5. Why is fishing limited to specific ocean areas?
Answer: Fishing is limited to areas with shallow waters, abundant plankton, and confluence of warm and cold currents, like the North-West Pacific. These conditions support large fish populations.
6. What is the role of climate in animal husbandry?
Answer: Climate affects animal husbandry by determining grassland availability and fodder quality. It is more developed in temperate regions (30°N to 60°N) with suitable climates.
7. Why is mining not related to latitude?
Answer: Mining depends on the presence of minerals, not latitude. Factors like geology, technology, and capital investment determine where mining occurs, like in Australia or South America.
8. What is plantation agriculture?
Answer: Plantation agriculture involves growing a single crop, like tea or rubber, on large estates in tropical regions. It uses modern techniques and is market-oriented.
9. How does deforestation affect the environment?
Answer: Deforestation causes soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. It destroys habitats for animals and birds and reduces forest resources for humans.
10. Why is agriculture practiced more in developing countries?
Answer: In developing countries, a large population depends on agriculture due to limited industrial jobs. In contrast, developed countries use advanced technology, reducing agricultural labor.
11. What factors influence commercial fishing?
Answer: Commercial fishing depends on shallow continental shelves, plankton growth, and cold climates for fish preservation. Technology and skilled labor also boost fishing activities.
12. Why is lumbering less developed in equatorial forests?
Answer: Equatorial forests have dense, hardwood trees, making commercial lumbering difficult. The humid climate and diverse species also hinder large-scale operations.
13. What is intensive subsistence agriculture?
Answer: Intensive subsistence agriculture involves small plots and high labor to grow food crops like rice for family needs. It is common in densely populated areas like India.
14. Why is animal husbandry developed in Australia?
Answer: Animal husbandry is developed in Australia due to vast grasslands, advanced technology, and large estates. The eastern part has favorable conditions for commercial rearing.
15. What is the significance of coniferous forests for lumbering?
Answer: Coniferous forests have tall, softwood trees of a single species, ideal for lumbering. Found in high latitudes, they support large-scale commercial wood production.
16. How does technology impact primary economic activities?
Answer: Technology improves efficiency in activities like agriculture, fishing, and mining. Machines, high-yielding seeds, and refrigeration facilities increase production and commercial scale.
17. Why is fishing a major occupation in Japan?
Answer: Japan’s large population, limited land, and lack of other protein sources make fishing vital. Skilled fishermen and advanced technology further develop this occupation.
18. What are the characteristics of extensive commercial agriculture?
Answer: Extensive commercial agriculture involves large farms, monoculture, and machinery use. It produces cereals or pulses in temperate regions for global markets.
19. How does mining contribute to economic development?
Answer: Mining provides minerals for industries, creating jobs and boosting economies. Improved transport and technology near mining areas support industrial growth.
20. Why is agriculture less practiced in Australia compared to Africa?
Answer: Australia has less agriculture due to arid conditions and a small population, relying on advanced technology. Africa has more agriculture due to a large, rural population.
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