Economic Geography:- Definitions, Nature, Scope And Recent Trends. Basis of economic processes- Production, exchange and consumption. Classification of economic activities

Economic Geography: Definitions, Nature, Scope, and Recent Trends:

Economic Geography is a field that studies the spatial distribution of economic activities and their impact on the Earth's surface. It encompasses a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating elements of geography, economics, and regional planning.

Definitions: Economic Geography involves the analysis of how economic activities are organized and distributed in space. It explores the spatial patterns of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, considering the influence of physical, cultural, and economic factors.

Nature: The nature of economic geography lies in understanding the relationships between economic activities and the physical and human environments. It examines the spatial variations in resource distribution, industrial development, and trade patterns.

Scope: The scope of economic geography is broad, covering topics such as industrial location, transportation networks, urban and rural economic structures, globalization, and regional development. It also delves into the study of economic systems and their impact on different regions.

Recent Trends: Recent trends in economic geography involve globalization, technological advancements, and sustainability. Globalization has intensified the interconnectedness of economies, leading to the formation of global production networks. Technological advancements, especially in communication and transportation, have reshaped the spatial organization of economic activities. Sustainability has become a key concern, with a focus on understanding the environmental and social impacts of economic processes.

Basis of Economic Processes: Production, Exchange, and Consumption:

Production: Economic geography analyzes the spatial patterns of production, including the location of industries, agricultural activities, and resource extraction. Factors such as raw material availability, labor force, and infrastructure influence the choice of production locations.

Exchange: The study of exchange involves understanding trade patterns, transportation networks, and the dynamics of international trade. Economic geographers examine the spatial organization of markets, trade routes, and the impact of political and cultural factors on exchange processes.

Consumption: Analysis of consumption patterns focuses on understanding how people and regions use goods and services. Economic geography explores the spatial distribution of consumer markets, retail networks, and factors influencing consumption behavior, such as income levels and cultural preferences.

Classification of Economic Activities:

Economic activities are classified based on various criteria:

1. Primary Sector: Involves the extraction of raw materials from the Earth, such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining.

2. Secondary Sector: Encompasses manufacturing and industry, where raw materials are processed to produce goods.

3. Tertiary Sector: Involves services and includes activities like retail, education, healthcare, and tourism.

4. Quaternary Sector: Focuses on information processing, research, and development.

5. Quinary Sector: Represents high-level decision-making and policymaking activities.

These classifications help in understanding the diverse economic activities that contribute to the overall functioning of a region or country. Economic geographers use these classifications to analyze spatial patterns and the interdependence of economic sectors.

Comments

Platforms in Remote Sensing

In remote sensing, a platform is the physical structure or vehicle that carries a sensor (camera, scanner, radar, etc.) to observe and collect information about the Earth's surface. Platforms are classified mainly by their altitude and mobility : Ground-Based Platforms Definition : Sensors mounted on the Earth's surface or very close to it. Examples : Tripods, towers, ground vehicles, handheld instruments. Applications : Calibration and validation of satellite data Detailed local studies (e.g., soil properties, vegetation health, air quality) Strength : High spatial detail but limited coverage. Airborne Platforms Definition : Sensors carried by aircraft, balloons, or drones (UAVs). Altitude : A few hundred meters to ~20 km. Examples : Airplanes with multispectral scanners UAVs with high-resolution cameras or LiDAR High-altitude balloons (stratospheric platforms) Applications : Local-to-regional mapping ...

Optical Sensors in Remote Sensing

1. What Are Optical Sensors? Optical sensors are remote sensing instruments that detect solar radiation reflected or emitted from the Earth's surface in specific portions of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) . They mainly work in: Visible region (0.4–0.7 µm) Near-Infrared – NIR (0.7–1.3 µm) Shortwave Infrared – SWIR (1.3–3.0 µm) Thermal Infrared – TIR (8–14 µm) — emitted energy, not reflected Optical sensors capture spectral signatures of surface features. Each object reflects/absorbs energy differently, creating a unique spectral response pattern . a) Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) The continuous range of wavelengths. Optical sensing uses solar reflective bands and sometimes thermal bands . b) Spectral Signature The unique pattern of reflectance or absorbance of an object across wavelengths. Example: Vegetation reflects strongly in NIR Water absorbs strongly in NIR and SWIR (appears dark) c) Radiance and Reflectance Radi...

Types of Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing means collecting information about the Earth's surface without touching it , usually using satellites, aircraft, or drones . There are different types of remote sensing based on the energy source and the wavelength region used. 🛰️ 1. Active Remote Sensing 📘 Concept: In active remote sensing , the sensor sends out its own energy (like a signal or pulse) to the Earth's surface. The sensor then records the reflected or backscattered energy that comes back from the surface. ⚙️ Key Terminology: Transmitter: sends energy (like a radar pulse or laser beam). Receiver: detects the energy that bounces back. Backscatter: energy that is reflected back to the sensor. 📊 Examples of Active Sensors: RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging): Uses microwave signals to detect surface roughness, soil moisture, or ocean waves. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): Uses laser light (near-infrared) to measure elevation, vegetation...

Resolution of Sensors in Remote Sensing

Spatial Resolution 🗺️ Definition : The smallest size of an object on the ground that a sensor can detect. Measured as : The size of a pixel on the ground (in meters). Example : Landsat → 30 m (each pixel = 30 × 30 m on Earth). WorldView-3 → 0.31 m (very detailed, you can see cars). Fact : Higher spatial resolution = finer details, but smaller coverage. Spectral Resolution 🌈 Definition : The ability of a sensor to capture information in different parts (bands) of the electromagnetic spectrum . Measured as : The number and width of spectral bands. Types : Panchromatic (1 broad band, e.g., black & white image). Multispectral (several broad bands, e.g., Landsat with 7–13 bands). Hyperspectral (hundreds of very narrow bands, e.g., AVIRIS). Fact : Higher spectral resolution = better identification of materials (e.g., minerals, vegetation types). Radiometric Resolution 📊 Definition : The ability of a sensor to ...

Radar Sensors in Remote Sensing

Radar sensors are active remote sensing instruments that use microwave radiation to detect and measure Earth's surface features. They transmit their own energy (radio waves) toward the Earth and record the backscattered signal that returns to the sensor. Since they do not depend on sunlight, radar systems can collect data: day or night through clouds, fog, smoke, and rain in all weather conditions This makes radar extremely useful for Earth observation. 1. Active Sensor A radar sensor produces and transmits its own microwaves. This is different from optical and thermal sensors, which depend on sunlight or emitted heat. 2. Microwave Region Radar operates in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum , typically from 1 mm to 1 m wavelength. Common radar frequency bands: P-band (70 cm) L-band (23 cm) S-band (9 cm) C-band (5.6 cm) X-band (3 cm) Each band penetrates and interacts with surfaces differently: Lo...

Vineesh V, Geography

Search This Blog