Economic Geography of South Africa (Grade 12 Explanation)
Economic Geography is the study of how people use natural resources to produce goods
and services and how economic activities are distributed across South Africa. It explains
where industries are located, why they are found there, and how they affect people's
lives and the environment.
1. Primary Economic Activities
These involve extracting raw materials from nature.
Examples:
Mining – gold, platinum, diamonds, coal, iron ore, manganese.
Agriculture – maize, wheat, fruit, vegetables, sugar cane, livestock.
Forestry – growing and harvesting trees for timber.
Fishing – catching fish along the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts.
Importance:
Creates employment.
Provides raw materials for factories.
Earns foreign income through exports.
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, 2. Secondary Economic Activities
These involve processing raw materials into finished products.
Examples:
Food processing.
Car manufacturing.
Steel production.
Clothing and textile factories.
Importance:
Adds value to raw materials.
Creates skilled jobs.
Boosts industrial development.
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3. Tertiary Economic Activities
These provide services rather than goods.
Examples:
Economic Geography is the study of how people use natural resources to produce goods
and services and how economic activities are distributed across South Africa. It explains
where industries are located, why they are found there, and how they affect people's
lives and the environment.
1. Primary Economic Activities
These involve extracting raw materials from nature.
Examples:
Mining – gold, platinum, diamonds, coal, iron ore, manganese.
Agriculture – maize, wheat, fruit, vegetables, sugar cane, livestock.
Forestry – growing and harvesting trees for timber.
Fishing – catching fish along the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts.
Importance:
Creates employment.
Provides raw materials for factories.
Earns foreign income through exports.
---
, 2. Secondary Economic Activities
These involve processing raw materials into finished products.
Examples:
Food processing.
Car manufacturing.
Steel production.
Clothing and textile factories.
Importance:
Adds value to raw materials.
Creates skilled jobs.
Boosts industrial development.
---
3. Tertiary Economic Activities
These provide services rather than goods.
Examples:
