ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY OF SA
STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY
economic sectors
Economy - the management of various resources and activities that people in a country may be involved
in, in order to create wealth.
Country’s economy made up of a complex system of interdependent economic activities (economic
sectors).
- primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.
primary economic sector
Activities involving extraction and exploitation of raw materials from natural environment.
- farming, fishing, forestry, mining.
secondary economic sector
Processing raw materials into products required by consumer.
- food processing, vehicle manufacturing, oil refining, engineering industries, shipbuilding, textile
production.
Construction industry.
tertiary economic sector
Service sector or service industry.
Provide services through distribution of commodities to businesses and consumers.
- transport, banking, tourism, health services.
- retail and wholesale activities, education, legal services, entertainment industry.
quaternary economic sector
Provide a higher level of services through information and expert knowledge.
- Research and development, university education, information and communication technologies,
financial planning, government activities.
Sector not included in GDP breakdown of country.
economic sectors’ contribution to south african economy
value
Gross domestic product (GDP) - the total value of goods and services produced within a country in one
year (quoted as a percentage contribution).
analysis of south africa’s gdp
Tertiary sector is largest contributor to economy and primary sector is smallest.
Primary activities:
- mining and minerals is a vital part of economy.
- most modern and diverse agricultural economy in Africa.
Secondary activities:
- metal and engineering industry dominates manufacturing sector.
Tertiary activities:
- banking and financial services industry is world class.
employment
Tertiary sector employs highest percentage of labour force and primary sector the least.
Gross geographic product (GGP) - the contribution of each province to the country’s GDP.
, AGRICULTURE
contribution of agriculture to south african economy
South Africa has become a net exporter of agricultural products.
Is one of the world’s top GMO producers.
the role of small-scale and large-scale farmers
Small-scale: potential for generating employment and income opportunities in rural areas.
- Received much more attention post apartheid.
South Africa has a dual agricultural economy.
small-scale farming
Small, but economically viable amount of land, which is intensively and profitably farmed.
commercial farming
Large amount of land which may be used for profit.
Involves mechanisation, use of GM crops, some form of irrigation technique.
Monoculture: the cultivation of one main crop extensively.
main products produced: home market and export market
Most field crops grown east of 500mm isohyet with arable soil.
Agricultural output is 50:50 split between animal production and field cropping.
Animal production: meat, poultry, ostrich, wool.
Field cropping: sugar, fruit, maize.
STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY
economic sectors
Economy - the management of various resources and activities that people in a country may be involved
in, in order to create wealth.
Country’s economy made up of a complex system of interdependent economic activities (economic
sectors).
- primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.
primary economic sector
Activities involving extraction and exploitation of raw materials from natural environment.
- farming, fishing, forestry, mining.
secondary economic sector
Processing raw materials into products required by consumer.
- food processing, vehicle manufacturing, oil refining, engineering industries, shipbuilding, textile
production.
Construction industry.
tertiary economic sector
Service sector or service industry.
Provide services through distribution of commodities to businesses and consumers.
- transport, banking, tourism, health services.
- retail and wholesale activities, education, legal services, entertainment industry.
quaternary economic sector
Provide a higher level of services through information and expert knowledge.
- Research and development, university education, information and communication technologies,
financial planning, government activities.
Sector not included in GDP breakdown of country.
economic sectors’ contribution to south african economy
value
Gross domestic product (GDP) - the total value of goods and services produced within a country in one
year (quoted as a percentage contribution).
analysis of south africa’s gdp
Tertiary sector is largest contributor to economy and primary sector is smallest.
Primary activities:
- mining and minerals is a vital part of economy.
- most modern and diverse agricultural economy in Africa.
Secondary activities:
- metal and engineering industry dominates manufacturing sector.
Tertiary activities:
- banking and financial services industry is world class.
employment
Tertiary sector employs highest percentage of labour force and primary sector the least.
Gross geographic product (GGP) - the contribution of each province to the country’s GDP.
, AGRICULTURE
contribution of agriculture to south african economy
South Africa has become a net exporter of agricultural products.
Is one of the world’s top GMO producers.
the role of small-scale and large-scale farmers
Small-scale: potential for generating employment and income opportunities in rural areas.
- Received much more attention post apartheid.
South Africa has a dual agricultural economy.
small-scale farming
Small, but economically viable amount of land, which is intensively and profitably farmed.
commercial farming
Large amount of land which may be used for profit.
Involves mechanisation, use of GM crops, some form of irrigation technique.
Monoculture: the cultivation of one main crop extensively.
main products produced: home market and export market
Most field crops grown east of 500mm isohyet with arable soil.
Agricultural output is 50:50 split between animal production and field cropping.
Animal production: meat, poultry, ostrich, wool.
Field cropping: sugar, fruit, maize.
