Economic Sectors, Trade, Resources, and Societal Evolution

Posted on Feb 2, 2025 in Geography

Tertiary Sector Activities

The tertiary sector includes activities that do not produce material goods but provide services to consumers and other economic sectors.

Types of Service Providers

  • Private Services: Provided by private companies.
  • Public or Non-Market Services: Provided by the state, funded through taxes.

Trade

Trade is the exchange of goods and services between producers.

Components of Trade

  • Transaction: The exchange itself.
  • Market: The place or situation where transactions occur.

Types of Markets

  • Physical Market: Where merchandise is present.
  • Abstract Market: Where merchandise is not physically present.

Types of Trade

  • Domestic Trade: Trade within a country, including wholesale and retail.
  • International Trade: Trade between countries, including import and export.

Transport

Transport is the activity of transferring people or goods between places, requiring means of transport.

Networks

Networks are sets of lines connecting places of origin with their destinations.

Types of Transport

  • Land Transport: The most frequent type.
    • Road: Commonly used for short and medium distances.
    • Railway: Used for passengers, merchandise, and freight over short and medium distances.
  • Water Transport: Ships carry merchandise in large quantities by sea or navigable rivers.
  • Air Transport: Used for long-distance passenger transportation.

Tourism

Tourism is the temporary transfer of people from their place of residence to other places.

Causes of Tourism

  • Increased standard of living.
  • Generalization of the five-day work week.
  • Paid holidays.
  • Improvements in transport and tourist facilities.

Types of Tourism

  • Water tourism.
  • Rural tourism.
  • Mountain tourism.

Natural Resources and Environmental Impact

Soil, Subsoil, and Terrain Resources

  • Soil: Supports population settlements, agriculture, and plant growth.
  • Subsoil: Provides minerals and rocks.
  • Terrain: Includes sandy beaches and geological formations.

Resources Derived from Water, Atmosphere, and Vegetation

  • Fresh and Salt Water: Essential for survival.
  • Atmosphere: Provides energy sources and climate conditions.
  • Vegetation: Provides food and raw materials.

The Future of Our Resources

Sustainable Development: A rational use of resources that allows for both present and future needs.

Societal Evolution

  • Hunter-Gatherer Societies: Small populations using rudimentary techniques, living from hunting, fishing, and gathering.
  • Agrarian Societies: Resulted from the Neolithic revolution, transforming resource acquisition until the 18th century.
  • Industrial Society: Established in the 19th and 20th centuries, based on mass production and energy consumption.

Alterations to the Environment

Alterations to the Relief

Caused by mines, quarries, and transport infrastructure.

Alterations to the Soil

  • Erosion and Desertification: Caused by deforestation and inappropriate agricultural practices.
  • Soil Pollution: Result of chemical waste from agriculture and industry, and improper waste disposal.