Economics Chapter 7: Natural Resources and Economic Activities through Transportation

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Questions and Answers

How do regions specialize in production according to the chapter?

Each region produces the items for which it is best suited.

What are the three modes of transport mentioned in the chapter?

Land, water, and air.

What is the primary purpose of transportation according to the chapter?

To satisfy the basic needs of society.

What type of materials are carried through pipelines?

Materials like petroleum, natural gas, and ores in liquidified form. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between transportation and trade?

Trade relies on transportation. Signup and view all the answers

Why do nations develop various kinds of transportation?

For defence purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of transportation in promoting cooperation and unity among people?

Assured and speedy transportation promotes cooperation and unity among scattered peoples. Signup and view all the answers

What are the principal modes of world transportation?

Land, water, air, and pipelines. Signup and view all the answers

What is a transport network?

A series of routes (links) connecting several places (nodes) to form a pattern. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a mode of transportation dependent on?

The type of goods and services to be transported, costs of transport, and the mode available. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most suitable mode of transportation for high-value, light, and perishable goods?

Airways. Signup and view all the answers

What revolutionized road transport in terms of road quality and vehicles?

The invention of the internal combustion engine. Signup and view all the answers

What are the great freight carriers in land transportation?

Railways, ocean vessels, barges, boats, and motor trucks, and pipelines. Signup and view all the answers

What are the older and more expensive forms of land transportation?

Human porter, pack animal, cart or wagon. Signup and view all the answers

What are the most commonly used pack animals in different regions?

Horses in Western countries, dogs and reindeer in North America, North Europe, and Siberia, mules in mountainous regions, camels in deserts, and bullocks in India. Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of road transport over railways for short distances?

It is more economical and offers door-to-door service. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of rail kilometrage in serving the needs of vast and developing countries?

High cost Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate total motorable road length in the world?

15 million km Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest road density and the highest number of vehicles registered in?

North America Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of highways in developed countries?

Uninterrupted traffic flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate highway density in North America?

0.65 km per sq km Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Trans-Canadian Highway?

It connects Vancouver to St. John's City Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary competitor to highways in Europe?

Railways and waterways Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Moscow-Vladivostok Highway in Russia?

It serves the region to the east Signup and view all the answers

What is the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) or Super Expressway in India?

It connects the four metropolitan cities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of border roads?

To integrate people in remote areas with major cities and provide defence Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the existence of railways in almost all countries?

To transport goods to border villages and military camps Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification of railway gauges based on?

Width Signup and view all the answers

Which country has the highest density of railways in Europe?

Belgium Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Channel Tunnel in terms of railways?

It connects London with Paris Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Russia's total transport does railways account for?

About 90 per cent Signup and view all the answers

In which region of North America is the most dense rail network found?

East Central U.S.A. and adjoining Canada Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Australia's railways are found in New South Wales alone?

25 per cent Signup and view all the answers

In South America, which two regions have the most dense rail network?

The Pampas of Argentina and the coffee growing region of Brazil Signup and view all the answers

What is the unique feature of the trans-continental rail route in South America?

It links Buenos Aires (Argentina) with Valparaiso (Chile) across the Andes Mountains through the Uspallatta Pass Signup and view all the answers

Which continent has the least developed rail facilities due to vast deserts and sparsely populated regions?

West Asia Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Benguela Railway in the context of African trade?

It connects Angola to the Katanga-Zambia Copper Belt, facilitating trade and economic growth in the region. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Trans-Siberian Railway contribute to the economic development of Russia?

It connects West European markets to the Asian region, opening up new trade opportunities and facilitating economic growth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the context of Canadian trade and economy?

It connects the Quebec-Montreal Industrial Region with the wheat belt of the Prairie Region and the Coniferous Forest region in the north, making each region complementary to the other. Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary exports carried on the Union and Pacific Railway in the United States?

Ores, grain, paper, chemicals, and machinery are the most valuable exports on this route. Signup and view all the answers

What is the proposed route of the Trans-Asiatic Railway, and what is its significance?

The proposed route is from Istanbul to Bangkok via Iran, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, and its significance lies in facilitating trade and connectivity between Europe and Asia. Signup and view all the answers

What are the advantages of water transportation compared to land transportation?

Water transportation does not require route construction, and the friction of water is far less than that of land, making it cheaper and more efficient. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Orient Express in the context of European trade and economy?

It connects Paris to Istanbul, reducing journey time from London to Istanbul to 96 hours, and facilitating trade in goods such as cheese, bacon, oats, wine, fruits, and machinery. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of the Australian Trans-Continental Railway in the context of Australian trade and economy?

It connects Perth on the west coast to Sydney on the east coast, facilitating trade and growth across the country. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Tanzania Railway in the context of African trade and economy?

It connects the Zambian Copper Belt to Dar-es-Salaam on the coast, facilitating trade and economic growth in the region. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Railway through Botswana and Zimbabwe contribute to the economic development of the region?

It links the landlocked states to the South African network, facilitating trade and economic growth in the region. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of water transportation over land and air transportation?

Ocean transport is a cheaper means of haulage of bulky material over long distances from one continent to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Northern Atlantic Sea Route in global trade?

One fourth of the world’s foreign trade moves on this route, making it the busiest in the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of the Suez Canal in international trade?

The construction of Suez Canal has greatly reduced the distance and time as compared to the earlier route through the Cape of Good Hope. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor contributing to the increase in trade and traffic between East and West Africa?

The development of the rich natural resources such as gold, diamond, copper, tin, groundnut, oil palm, coffee and fruits. Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for limited traffic on the Southern Atlantic Sea Route?

The limited development and population in South America and Africa, and also little traffic on the route between Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town because both South America and Africa have similar products and resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Honolulu in the North Pacific Sea Route?

Trade across the vast North Pacific Ocean moves by several routes which converge at Honolulu. Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of the Great Circle route in the North Pacific Sea Route?

The direct route on the Great Circle links Vancouver and Yokohama and reduces the travelling distance (2,480 km) by half. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Panama Canal in the South Pacific Sea Route?

The South Pacific Sea Route connects Western Europe and North America with Australia, New Zealand and the scattered Pacific islands via the Panama Canal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the Mediterranean–Indian Ocean Sea Route and other sea routes?

This sea route passes through the heart of the Old World and serves more countries and people than any other route. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of containers in cargo transport in sea routes?

The use of containers has made cargo handling at the world’s major ports easier. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Rhine Waterway in terms of international commerce?

It connects the industrial areas of Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands with the North Atlantic Sea Route. Signup and view all the answers

What is the length of the navigable waterway of the Volga River?

11,200 km Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Soo Canal and Welland Canal in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway?

To connect the Great Lakes of North America, forming an inland waterway. Signup and view all the answers

Why is air transport preferred for long-distance travel and valuable cargo?

Because it is the fastest means of transportation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of air transport in inaccessible areas?

It is often the only means to reach such areas. Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of the Mississippi-Ohio waterway in terms of navigation?

Large steamers can only go up to Minneapolis due to the presence of rapids. Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of air transport on travel time?

It has reduced travel time to hours and minutes, making no place in the world more than 35 hours away. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Danube River in terms of international trade?

It serves as an important inland waterway for Eastern Europe, with chief export items including wheat, maize, timber, and machinery. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of infrastructure in air transport?

It requires elaborate infrastructure like hangars, landing, fuelling, and maintenance facilities for aircraft. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Rhine River port of Dusseldorf?

It is the Rhine port for the prosperous manufacturing region of the Ruhr valley. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Suez Canal in the context of global trade, and how does it reduce the distance between Liverpool and Colombo?

The Suez Canal serves as a gateway to the Indian Ocean for Europe, reducing the direct sea-route distance between Liverpool and Colombo by providing an alternative to the Cape of Good Hope route. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of Honolulu as a port on the route between Panama and Sydney?

Honolulu is an important port on the route between Panama and Sydney because it serves as a significant stopover for ships traveling between the two cities. Signup and view all the answers

How does coastal shipping contribute to the reduction of congestion on land routes, and what countries are well-suited for this mode of transportation?

Coastal shipping can reduce congestion on land routes by providing an alternative mode of transportation for goods, and countries with long coastlines such as the USA, China, and India are well-suited for this mode. Signup and view all the answers

What are the economic benefits of the Panama Canal, and how does it impact the economies of Latin America?

The Panama Canal has significant economic benefits, including shortening the distance between New York and San Francisco by 13,000 km, and it is vital to the economies of Latin America. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of the Suez Canal that make it a significant navigation canal, and how does it differ from the Panama Canal?

The Suez Canal is a sea-level canal without locks, about 160 km long and 11-15 m deep, and it differs from the Panama Canal in terms of its lock system and depth. Signup and view all the answers

What are the advantages of inland waterways, and how do they contribute to the transportation of goods?

Inland waterways have advantages such as lower costs, ability to transport heavy cargo, and reduced congestion on land routes, and they contribute to the transportation of goods such as coal, cement, and metallic ores. Signup and view all the answers

How do the characteristics of a river affect its suitability for inland waterways, and what are some of the limitations of this mode of transportation?

The characteristics of a river, such as its navigability, width, depth, and water flow, affect its suitability for inland waterways, and limitations include competition from other modes, lack of water, and poor maintenance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Panama Canal Zone, and how did it come into existence?

The Panama Canal Zone is a vital area that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and it was created when the US government purchased 8 km of area on either side of the canal. Signup and view all the answers

How do the Suez and Panama Canals serve as gateways of commerce, and what are the implications of this role?

The Suez and Panama Canals serve as gateways of commerce by connecting the eastern and western worlds, facilitating international trade and commerce, and having significant economic implications for the regions they connect. Signup and view all the answers

What would be the potential impact of the Nicaraguan Canal on the Panama Canal, and how would it affect international trade?

The Nicaraguan Canal would potentially reduce the importance of the Panama Canal, affecting international trade by providing an alternative route and possibly altering the global shipping landscape. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Important Routes of the Continent

The Benguela Railway connects Angola to Katanga-Zambia Copper Belt.
The Tanzania Railway connects the Zambian Copper Belt to Dar-es-Salaam on the coast.
A railway through Botswana and Zimbabwe links landlocked states to the South African network.
The Blue Train runs from Cape Town to Pretoria in the Republic of South Africa.

Trans-Continental Railways

The Trans-Siberian Railway runs from St. Petersburg in the west to Vladivostok on the Pacific Coast in the east, passing through Moscow, Ufa, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Chita, and Khabarovsk.
The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest (9,332 km) and most important route in Asia.
It has helped open up its Asian region to West European markets.
There are connecting links to the south, namely, to Odessa (Ukraine), Baku on the Caspian Coast, Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Ulan Bator (Mongolia), and Shenyang (Mukden) and Beijing in China.

Trans-Canadian Railways

The Trans-Canadian Railway runs from Halifax in the east to Vancouver on the Pacific Coast, passing through Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Calgary.
It was constructed in 1886, initially as part of an agreement to make British Columbia on the west coast join the Federation of States.
It connects the Quebec-Montreal Industrial Region with the wheat belt of the Prairie Region and the Coniferous Forest region in the north.
A loop line from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay (Lake Superior) connects this rail-line with one of the important waterways of the world.

The Union and Pacific Railway

This rail-line connects New York on the Atlantic Coast to San Francisco on the Pacific Coast, passing through Cleveland, Chicago, Omaha, Evans, Ogden, and Sacramento.
The most valuable exports on this route are ores, grain, paper, chemicals, and machinery.

The Australian Trans-Continental Railway

This rail-line runs west-east across the southern part of the continent from Perth on the west coast to Sydney on the east coast, passing through Kalgoorlie, Broken Hill, and Port Augusta.
Another major north-south line connects Adelaide and Alice Spring and is to be joined further to the Darwin-Birdum line.

The Orient Express

This line runs from Paris to Istanbul, passing through Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade.
The journey time from London to Istanbul by this Express is now reduced to 96 hours, as against 10 days by the sea-route.
The chief exports on this rail-route are cheese, bacon, oats, wine, fruits, and machinery.

Water Transport

Water transport does not require route construction and is a cheaper means of haulage over long distances.
Oceans are linked with each other and are negotiable with ships of various sizes.
Sea routes offer a smooth highway traversable in all directions with no maintenance costs.

Sea Routes

The Northern Atlantic Sea Route links North-eastern U.S.A. and North-western Europe, the two industrially developed regions of the world.
The Mediterranean-Indian Ocean Sea Route passes through the heart of the Old World and serves more countries and people than any other route.
The Cape of Good Hope Sea Route connects the highly industrialised Western European region with West Africa, South Africa, South-east Asia, and the commercial agriculture and livestock economies of Australia and New Zealand.
The Southern Atlantic Sea Route is another important one across the Atlantic Ocean, which connects West European and West African countries with Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay in South America.

Inland Waterways

Rivers, canals, lakes, and coastal areas have been important waterways since time immemorial.
The development of inland waterways is dependent on the navigability, width, and depth of the channel, continuity in the water flow, and transport technology in use.
Rivers are the only means of transport in dense forests.
Very heavy cargo like coal, cement, timber, and metallic ores can be transported through inland waterways.

Air Transport

Air transport is the fastest means of transportation, but it is very costly.
It is often the only means to reach inaccessible areas.
Airways also have great strategic importance.
The airways network is expanding very fast.
No place in the world is more than 35 hours away due to air transport.### Modes of Transportation
There are four principal modes of world transportation: land, water, air, and pipelines.
Each mode has its significance depending on the type of goods and services to be transported, costs of transport, and the mode available.

Land Transport

Land transport carries most of the movement of goods and services.
In the early days, humans and animals were used as carriers.
The invention of the wheel led to the use of carts and wagons.
The revolution in transport came with the invention of the steam engine in the 18th century.
Railways became the most popular and fastest form of transport in the 19th century.
The invention of the internal combustion engine revolutionized road transport.
Pipelines, ropeways, and cableways are newer developments in land transportation.
Liquids like mineral oil, water, and sewage are transported by pipelines.
The great freight carriers are railways, ocean vessels, barges, boats, and motor trucks.

Roads

Road transport is the most economical for short distances compared to railways.
Freight transport by road is gaining importance due to door-to-door service.
Unmetalled roads are not effective and serviceable for all seasons.
Roads play a vital role in a nation's trade and commerce and for promoting tourism.
The quality of roads varies greatly between developed and developing countries.
Developed countries have good quality roads with long-distance links in the form of motorways, autobahns, and inter-state highways.

Highways

Highways are metalled roads connecting distant places.
They are constructed for unobstructed vehicular movement.
In developed countries, every city and port town is linked through highways.
Highway density is high in North America, with every place being within 20 km distance from a highway.
The Pan-American Highway connects countries of South America, Central America, and U.S.A.-Canada.
The Trans-Canadian Highway links Vancouver in British Columbia to St. John's City in Newfoundland.

Railways

Railways are a mode of land transport for bulky goods and passengers over long distances.
Railway gauges vary in different countries, classified as broad, standard, meter gauge, and smaller gauges.
The standard gauge is used in the U.K.
Commuter trains are very popular in the U.K., U.S.A, Japan, and India.
There are about 13 lakh km of railways open for traffic in the world.
Europe has one of the most dense rail networks, with about 4,40,000 km of railways.
Belgium has the highest density of 1 km of railway for every 6.5 sq km area.
The industrial regions exhibit some of the highest densities in the world.
Underground railways are important in London and Paris.

Border Roads

Border roads are laid along international boundaries.
They play an important role in integrating people in remote areas with major cities and providing defense.
Almost all countries have such roads to transport goods to border villages and military camps.

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Economics Chapter 7: Natural Resources and Economic Activities

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