Service Sector Growth, Commerce, and Energy Resources

Causes of Service Sector Growth

Causes of the growth of services:

• “The revenue growth and improved living standards of the population, which increases the demand for all types of financial, cultural, and entertainment services.”
• “The generalization of the so-called model of social organization and policy that seeks access for the entire population to health services and education…”
• “The search for greater competitiveness on the part of many companies seeking to improve their performance and the quality of their products.”
• “The development of financial capital for the release of markets has increased the number of companies, banks…”
• “The massive incorporation of women into the workplace.”

Classification of Services

Distribution, Business Services and the population, In-Services, Business Services and Administration, and Financial, Public, and Social Services.

Types of Commercial Establishments

Hypermarkets: Large stores belonging to one company where the producer has put the lines in different types of items to facilitate self-service.
Malls: Have a large number of small specialty shops with additional leisure facilities. They often include a supermarket as a pull factor.
Commercial parks: With several supermarkets and leisure facilities with large areas for parking.

Commercial Activity

Domestic trade takes place within the country.

• Retailer: Is giving service directly to the public. It includes both small, family establishments and supermarkets and hypermarkets.
• Wholesaler: Serves the small business, providing it with the necessary foreign products.

Commerce has great importance in the national economy. EU integration has contributed to its development and has highlighted the increasing internationalization of the economy.

Ore Types and Mining

Ore types:

• Energy ores: coal, oil…
• Minerals: iron, copper, nickel…
• Non-metallic minerals: clay, limestone…

Kinds of Mining

• Surface: When the mineral layers are close to the surface. It entails lower economic costs but further environmental deterioration.
• Subterranean: By drilling vertical and horizontal or inclined tunnels, where ore is extracted to the surface. It has a high risk.

Sources of Energy

To carry out all activities, human energy is necessary. Its consumption has increased by 35% in the last 25 years and is expected to double again between now and 2020. There are contrasts in the level of energy consumption, which are related to economic development and the living conditions of the population. The consumption of a country is measured in units-TEP: The amount of energy contained in one ton of oil that is used as a media unit and is equivalent to 1.435 tonnes of coal.

Energy is drawn from various sources. Throughout history, these have changed: At first, the use of wood, wind, and water; in the 19th century, coal became the most important; in the 20th century, it was oil, and it will remain so until the coming decades. Today, we still rely on fossil fuels, while there are also non-renewables. Nuclear energy (equivalent to 7% of use) causes major waste and environmental risk. Renewable energy (wind, solar…) can be used, with less environmental impact but somewhat more expensive electricity generation.

Oil

Oil is a vegetable oil that accumulates on existing exchanges at different depths in areas inland or on the ocean floor. Today, its importance is even greater because it serves as a raw material for the manufacture of many common consumer products. The exploitation of oil is controlled by a small number of large companies.