Question

Define economic geography and write brief note on significance of economic geography

Answer 1

Answer:

Economic Geography is the study of man and his economic activities under varying sets of condi­tions. Geographers are of different opinions as regarding the definition of the subject.

In fact, different authorities have defined Economic Geography in a variety of ways but their opinions converge at a common point of accord, where it means the study of the spatial distribution of man’s economic activities in relation to its environment, be it physical or non-physical.

Importance of the Study of Economic Geography:

The main objective of Economic Geography is, as expounded, to examine man’s eco­nomic achievement in terms of production and consumption in the light of his environment. To assess the relative importance of the study of this branch of geography, we have to evaluate the purposes that it serves.

Economic Geography, fundamentally, maintains a very close rela­tion with man’s economic welfare as other social sciences do; but the approach is radically different. Through various stages of interpretation and analysis it, in the final stage, attempts to point out the potential for development of a region, occupied by a certain group of people.

Disparity in the state of economic well-being and level of production is a common phenom­enon. In order to eliminate such disparity, mobilization of resources is imperative. A careful study of the situation has to be undertaken before any move is initiated to mobilize resources to resolve problems. Economic Geography accomplishes this job.

The above condition may further be elaborated. The idea of the Damodar Valley Corpora­tion was inherited from the Tennessee Valley Authority of USA. But the DVC failed to maxi­mize the relative benefits as the TVA did.

At the time of installation of the multipurpose river valley project in the Damodar Valley area only the aspects of physical setting were compared, ignoring totally the cultural elements like the level of technology, industrialization, capital availability etc.

Thus, due to lack of proper cultural setting, the DVC failed to reap the same degree of benefit as the TVA. Because of latitudinal locations, climatic conditions in parts of Canada are almost similar to those of the CIS. The level of technological development also bears identity.

Under this identical framework, introduction of a more cold-resisting variety of wheat, developed in either of these countries can also meet with a similar degree of success. On the other hand, the early British colonial settlers in Ceylon (presently Sri Lanka) committed a great mistake in their attempt to introduce oat, barley, and wheat cultivation in the country while both the climatic as well as the pedogenic conditions were, by no means, conducive to those crops.

Drastic transformation of the existing pattern of culture by another is not scientifically justified. A pattern of culture evolves out of the dynamic interaction between man and nature. Despite the physical identity between two countries, culture of one country may not fit that of another.

Stages of past growth or heritage plays a very decisive role in shaping the present destiny of man. It is, therefore, important to note that the factor of heritage, be it natural or cultural or human, should not be overlooked since any enforced evolution or imposition of culture may bring disastrous results.

Economic Geography makes a comparatively humble and integrated approach to such problems. It describes a country or region in terms of its natural, human and cultural environ­ments with relation to man’s economic way of life. A certain set of geo-economic conditions led to the development of the Japanese method of cultivation.

Prior to the introduction of such productive system of agriculture in India a careful examination of India’s agrarian infrastruc­ture is necessary; otherwise, mere adoption of such system may not produce fruitful results.

Economic Geography serves the purpose of identifying the influence that the environ­ment exerts on man through the preservation of the multiple geo-economic conditions of dif­ferent parts of the world. Any attempt that aims at the balanced development of economy could not succeed without the complete understanding of the man-environment inter-rela­tionship.

Without any such knowledge economic relationship is bound to end up in a fiasco. It is a fait accompli. Economic Geography, therefore, serves as an essential tool for reducing and finally eliminating world societies’ disparity gaps by scientific study of their economic re­sources, modern needs and cultural heritages.

Explanation: