Economic Geography is the study of the spatial variation of. human economic activities
– production, consumption, and exchange, with emphasis on resource endowments,
international trade and commerce, population growth, settlements, development,
interaction and interdependencies, and regional supply and demand.
It focus on the actions of
people and firms and how they govern regional economic development.
Chapter 1 - Resources - This chapter gives basic
introduction about the terms associated with the resources through a story. It
also discusses the types of resources (renewable and non-renewable) and steps
needed for conserving them. The
chapter in a box describes principles of sustainable development. This can be
used in Mains answer directly. Though direct questions are not asked on such
topics in UPSC Prelims Examination but student should have basic knowledge
about terms so that he/she can understand other interrelated topics.
Chapter 2 – Land,
Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and wildlife resources -
Resources
play a key role on which all other living beings are depended. Hence this
chapter discusses about resources such as Land, Soil, Water, Vegetation and
Wildlife Resources – their meaning, terms associated with it, threats faced by
these resources and steps needed for their conservation.
In
Mains also questions on resources and steps needed for their conservation are
asked. The content in NCERT books are lucid and can be directly used in Mains
Answers. It will help in placing content in less words.
Questions
asked on such topics are as follows:
UPSC 2013: On the planet earth, most of the
freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater,
the largest proportion:
(a) is found in atmosphere as moisture and
clouds
(b) is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
(c) exists as groundwater
(d) exists as soil moisture
Solution (c)
UPSC 2013: Contour bunding is a method of soil
conservation used in:
(a) desert margins, liable to strong wind
action
(b) low flat plains, close to stream courses,
liable to flooding
(c) scrublands, liable to spread of weed
growth
(d) None of the above
Solution (b)
UPSC
2014: The most important strategy for the
conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the
establishment of
(a)
biosphere reserves
(b) botanical gardens
(c) national parks
(d)
wildlife sanctuaries
Solution (a)
UPSC
2012: Vultures which used to be very common
in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is
attributed to:
(a)
the destruction of their nesting sites by new
invasive species
(b) a drug used by cattle owners for
treating their diseased cattle
(c) scarcity of food available to them
(d) a widespread, persistent and fatal
disease among them
Solution (b)
Note:
Read with the Chapter 2 Forest and
Wildlife Resources – of Class X
Chapter 3 Water Resources – of Class X
Chapter 5 Land Resources and Agriculture of Class XII
Chapter 3 - Minerals
and Power Resources
This
chapter discusses about the minerals and their types. It also explains
different terms associated with mining process. This chapter also discusses
about the distribution of mineral resources around the world (in different
continents). Though very less questions are directly asked on world mineral
distribution but reading it will help in understanding the resource
distribution around the world and geopolitics associated with it for Mains
examination. It also discusses about the
Power and Energy resources, their advantages and disadvantages, their
distribution in the world.
Note:
Read with the Chapter 5:
Minerals and
Energy Resources – of Class X
Chapter 7: Mineral and Energy Resources –of Class XII
It is related to farming methodology and terms
associated with it. It also explains types of farming such as - subsistence and commercial farming.
It also explains major crops and factors
associated with them for their growth.
Through an example it also explains the farming
system of India in comparison with that of USA. (It will help in understanding
farming system of developed nation and developing nation).
Questions asked on such topics are as follows:
UPSC 2012: Which of the
following is the chief characteristic of 'mixed farming?
(a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food
crops
(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the
same field
(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of
crops together
(d) None of the above
Solution (c )
Note: Read with the Chapter
4: Agriculture of Class X
Chapter 5: Land Resources and Agriculture –of Class XII
This chapter describes the concept of industry
and its classification. It also introduces the student to the concept of locational
factors for the setting up of industries.
It also explains the factors for distribution
of major industries around the world.
This topic has also been mentioned in the
Mains syllabus in GS Paper 1. Many a times questions on the location of Iron
and Steel Industry, Petroleum industry, etc.
This chapter also explains the industrial
disaster in brief which can be used in GS paper 3 under disaster management.
Questions asked on such topics are as follows:
UPSC 2015: In India, the
steel production industry requires the import of
(a) saltpetre
(b) rock phosphate
(c) coking coal
(d) All of the above
Solution
(c )
UPSC Mains 2014: Account for
the change in the spatial pattern of the Iron and Steel industry in the world.
UPSC Mains 2013: Analyze the
factors for highly decentralized cotton textile industry in India
Note: Read with the
Chapter 6: Manufacturing
Industries of Class X
Chapter 8: Manufacturing Industries –of Class XII
This chapter introduces the student to the concept
of Human Resource, distribution of population (student should read the current
data), factors affecting distribution of population.
It also explains the terms associated with
Census and population pyramids.
It will help in understanding the change in
human resource with development. (Developed vs Developing population).
This chapter
will help in understanding the growth and development concept in Mains
examination too.
UPSC 2011: India is regarded as a country with "Demographic
Dividend". This is due to
(a) Its high population in the age group below 15 years.
(b) Its high population in the age group of 15-64 years.
(c) Its high population in the age group above 65 years.
(d) Its high total population.
Solution (b)