Global Industrial and Agricultural Landscapes
Industrial Sectors
Europe
The highest industrial concentration in Europe is in Southeast England, Benelux, Alsace-Lorraine, the Black Forest, Switzerland, and the Po Valley. Lower density is found in older industrial regions like Eastern and Northern Spain, Scotland, and the Rhone Valley. Isolated industrial enclaves exist around Madrid, Dublin, Lisbon, and Athens.
United States
A leading power in basic industrial products and electrical use, the U.S. traditionally focused industry in the Northeast. However, there has been a gradual shift towards southern and northern areas.
Japan
During wartime, Japan experienced industrial growth (the Japanese miracle) with U.S. support. High productive investment, moderate wages, limited social unrest, and public-private collaboration are foundations of their industry. Japanese industry is highly concentrated in the country’s few flat, metropolitan regions.
Former Soviet Union
After communism’s fall, the country underwent significant industrial restructuring due to outdated technology and lack of profitability in many factories.
Asian Model
The Asian model (South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong) relies heavily on manpower in conditions more precarious than in Western countries. Multinationals often reap the benefits, sometimes without creating surrounding industry.
The Fishing Sector
Fishing contributes less than 1% to GDP. The Northwest region accounts for nearly a third of all fishing, followed by Cantabria and the Southern Atlantic (Cadiz). Sardines are the primary catch, followed by whiting and hake. Growing fish demand and limited marine catches have spurred aquaculture for both marine and freshwater species.
Landscape Types
Human impact on landscapes varies. Three types of landscapes exist:
- Natural Landscape: Untouched by humans.
- Changed Landscape: Some interaction between humans and the environment.
- Commanded Landscape: Deliberate and sustained human-induced change.
Agriculture
Planting
Tropical and subtropical plantation agriculture focuses on commercial crops like coffee, tea, sugarcane, rubber, bananas, cocoa, peanuts, cotton, tobacco, citrus, palm oil, cinchona, and pineapples. Foreign capital, local/national cooperatives, and research institutes drive this sector. Focus is on internationally marketable species, with the risk of dependence on single products and price fluctuations.
EU Agriculture
European agriculture, centered on corn, wine, and olives, faces an aging farming population, increasing ownership concentration, and growing mechanization. Agriculture’s contribution to GDP is small. The EU uses compensation policies to improve farmer competitiveness by granting support for certain non-surplus crops.
Socialist Countries
Post-communist Russia experienced a lack of technical support, which private farms are slowly overcoming. China’s agriculture employs a large percentage of the population. It leads global production of rice, wheat, potatoes, peanuts, rapeseed, cotton, tobacco, and eggs.
Livestock
Livestock farming involves raising animals for meat and other products (milk, leather, wool). Common practices include cattle, swine, sheep, and goat farming. Intensive livestock farming maximizes short-term profits through concentrated livestock (stables), mechanized processes (milking machines), and reduced breeding times. Traditional extensive systems operate in natural ecosystems without spatial concentration, resulting in lower yields but less environmental damage.