AP Human Geography Industry Factors

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Questions and Answers

Describe the 2 major cost factors for industry.

Situation factors, Site factors

What are situation factors?

How far or near to locate plant from raw material source and market.

What are site factors?

Cost of land, labor, and capital

Why would an industry prefer to locate close to inputs?

If it was a bulk reducing company. Signup and view all the answers

What is very bulky and heavy but in the end only a fraction of its original size/weight?

Iron and copper ore Signup and view all the answers

You want to ship the heaviest component to the ______ distance.

Shortest Signup and view all the answers

Describe the steps in copper extraction and production.

(.07% copper) is mined and sent to concentration mills. It is crushed and concentrated (25%). It is sent to smelters to have usable copper produced. Signup and view all the answers

Why is copper considered a bulk reducing industry?

Its bulk size/weight is reduced at each part of the process. Signup and view all the answers

How is steel different from iron?

Steel is an iron alloy with the impurities removed and additives added. Signup and view all the answers

Coal + iron = ______.

Steel Signup and view all the answers

What invention improved the steel industry?

Coke made from cooked coal burns hotter Signup and view all the answers

What are minimills?

Can locate to their customers for cheaper and faster delivery Signup and view all the answers

Why are new steel mills and minimills now built near major cities?

More flexible because they process only scrap metal. Signup and view all the answers

Why would an industry choose to locate near consumers?

Bulk gaining, Single market, Perishability Signup and view all the answers

What is bulk gaining?

Small input, Bulky output Signup and view all the answers

Describe the auto assembly plants in the U.S.

All about national distribution Signup and view all the answers

Describe auto alley.

Area N to S Signup and view all the answers

What is containerization?

Container going through multiple modes of transportation until it makes it to one place. Signup and view all the answers

What is a labor-intensive industry?

Required a lot of human input. Signup and view all the answers

What was the textile spinning process before the industrial revolution?

Done in the home on spinning wheel powered by hand or foot. Signup and view all the answers

What is synthetic cloth?

20th century, More common than cotton today. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the aluminum industry interested in land site factors?

Aluminum production requires high amounts of electricity hence the need for hydropower locations. Signup and view all the answers

What countries are major textile spinning countries?

India and China. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the weaving process.

Fabric woven/knitted together from thread. Signup and view all the answers

Who invented the power loom?

Edmund Cartwright Signup and view all the answers

What are the 4 main product types assembled in textiles?

Garments, Carpets, Home fabric, Industrial fabrics. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the most textile assembly completed?

Asia. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cost Factors for Industry

Situation factors are related to the geographic location of a plant in relation to raw materials and markets, aiming to minimize transportation costs.
Site factors involve the costs associated with land, labor, and capital.

Industry Location Preferences

Industries, especially bulk-reducing companies, prefer to locate near raw material sources to reduce transportation costs.
Heavy materials like iron and copper ore undergo significant size reduction during processing, making proximity to the source crucial.

Copper Production Process

Copper extraction starts with mining ore containing 0.07% copper, which is then sent to concentration mills where it's crushed and concentrated to 25%.
The concentrated material is smelted to produce usable copper, showcasing a bulk-reducing process.

Steel Industry Insights

Steel is an alloy of iron created by removing impurities and adding other elements.
Steel production utilizes coal and iron together to produce steel.
Innovations such as coke from cooked coal increase production efficiency by burning hotter.

Steel Mill Locations

New steel mills and minimills are increasingly built near major cities for flexible operations, primarily processing scrap metal.
This strategic location enables quicker and more cost-effective delivery to customers.

Consumer Proximity in Industry

Industries might locate near consumers for reasons such as:
- Bulk gaining: Final products are larger or heavier than input materials.
- Single market: Serving a specific concentrated market.
- Perishability: Products that require quick delivery due to short shelf life.

Textile Industry Production

The textile spinning process, once done at home using hand or foot-powered wheels, evolved significantly during the Industrial Revolution.
Today, synthetic fabrics are more prevalent than cotton, reflecting changes in production techniques and materials.

Major Textile Countries

India and China are leading countries in textile spinning, primarily due to low labor costs in less developed countries (LDCs).

Textile Assembly and Innovations

The weaving process involves threading fabric together, contributing to a wide range of textile products.
The power loom, invented by Edmund Cartwright in 1785, revolutionized textile manufacturing, increasing productivity.

Aluminum Industry and Location

The aluminum industry prioritizes site factors because its production consumes significant energy, necessitating hydropower sites.

Key Textile Products

Major products in the textile industry include garments, carpets, home fabrics, and industrial fabrics, with most assembly taking place in Asia.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of site and situation factors in industry with this quiz. Understand how these factors influence the location of industrial plants, including costs related to raw materials, labor, and land. Test your knowledge on why industries make certain location choices.