Class 12 : Grography (English) – Lesson 5. Secondary Activities
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🔷 Introduction
🟢 Geography not only studies natural resources but also how humans transform them into usable products.
✨ Secondary activities include all forms of manufacturing, processing, and construction that convert raw materials (from primary activities) into valuable finished goods.
💡 Concept: These activities form the industrial sector, a key indicator of economic progress.
✏️ Note: Excludes boxed and highlighted content from NCERT.
🔷 Meaning and Nature of Secondary Activities
🔹 Involve value addition by converting raw materials into finished goods.
🔹 Include manufacturing industries, processing units, handicrafts, and construction.
🔹 Depend heavily on raw materials, power, labour, capital, and transport.
🧭 Example: Cotton → Yarn → Cloth → Garment.
🔷 Types of Manufacturing
💠 Based on scale and technology, manufacturing is classified into the following types:
1️⃣ Household or Cottage Industry
🏠 Small-scale, traditional tools, family labour.
🧵 Example: Handloom weaving, pottery.
💡 Found in villages, using local raw materials.
2️⃣ Small-Scale Manufacturing
🏭 Uses power-driven machines but small investment.
👩🔧 Labour-intensive and locally oriented.
🧠 Example: Food processing, furniture making.
3️⃣ Large-Scale Manufacturing
⚙️ Highly mechanized, capital-intensive, large labour force.
🌍 Produces for national/international markets.
🔹 Two sub-types:
✳️ Footloose Industries – Not tied to raw material location (e.g. electronics).
✳️ Resource-Based Industries – Located near raw materials (e.g. steel, cement).
4️⃣ High-Tech Industry
💻 Uses advanced technology, R&D-based, skilled labour.
🌟 Examples: Robotics, electronics, biotechnology.
🏙️ Found in technopoles like Silicon Valley (USA), Bengaluru (India).
🔷 Classification by Output
🔹 Basic Industries – Supply raw materials to others (iron & steel).
🔹 Consumer Goods Industries – Directly supply to consumers (textiles, food).
🔹 Capital Goods Industries – Produce machinery/tools (engineering).
🔷 Factors Affecting Industrial Location
📍 Industrial location is influenced by multiple factors:
1️⃣ Raw Materials – Heavier and bulkier materials attract industries near source.
2️⃣ Power – Continuous supply needed (coal, hydro, electricity).
3️⃣ Labour – Availability of skilled/unskilled workers.
4️⃣ Capital – Investment for machinery and infrastructure.
5️⃣ Transport – Roads, railways, ports for distribution.
6️⃣ Market – Near large demand areas.
7️⃣ Government Policies – Industrial zones, incentives.
8️⃣ Climate – Suitable environment reduces costs.
💡 Concept: Alfred Weber’s Least Cost Theory explains industrial location based on minimizing cost of transport, labour, and agglomeration.
🔷 Major Industrial Regions of the World
🌍 Industrial development is concentrated in specific regions due to favourable factors:
1️⃣ Eastern North America – USA, Canada (manufacturing belt).
2️⃣ Western & Central Europe – UK, Germany, France.
3️⃣ Eastern Europe – Russia, Ukraine (old industrial base).
4️⃣ Eastern Asia – Japan, China, South Korea (technological hub).
📘 Emerging Regions: India, Brazil, South Africa due to globalization.
🔷 Industrial Regions in India
🇮🇳 India’s industrialization is regionally concentrated:
1️⃣ Mumbai-Pune Region – Textiles, engineering.
2️⃣ Hugli Region – Jute, chemicals.
3️⃣ Bengaluru-Tamil Nadu – Electronics, automobiles.
4️⃣ Chotanagpur Plateau – Heavy industries (iron & steel).
5️⃣ Delhi NCR – Consumer goods, electronics.
🔷 Distribution of Industries
🔹 Developed countries – High-tech, diversified, large-scale industries.
🔹 Developing countries – Resource-based, labour-intensive, export-oriented.
🔷 High-Tech Industry Characteristics
💡 Located in clean, environment-friendly zones.
🔹 Features:
✔️ R&D orientation
✔️ Skilled workforce
✔️ Use of robotics, AI
✔️ Linkage with universities
🏙️ Examples: Silicon Valley (USA), Bengaluru (India), Tsukuba (Japan).
🔷 Footloose Industries
🧭 Do not depend on raw material location.
🔹 Factors: skilled labour, transport, communication.
💻 Examples: Software, electronics, IT-based firms.
🔷 Globalization and Industry
🌐 Globalization promotes cross-border trade and investments.
🧠 Leads to Multinational Corporations (MNCs) establishing production in developing nations.
✔️ Encourages competition, innovation, and access to global markets.
⚠️ But may cause regional imbalances and job insecurity.
🔷 Impact of Industrialization
✅ Positive:
✔️ Employment generation
✔️ Economic growth
✔️ Urbanization
❌ Negative:
⚠️ Environmental pollution
⚠️ Resource depletion
⚠️ Regional disparities
✏️ Note: Sustainable industrial growth is essential.
🔷 Industrial Policy and Planning
📘 Governments frame policies to promote balanced growth.
📍 India’s Policies:
🔹 Industrial Policy Resolutions (1948, 1956)
🔹 New Industrial Policy (1991) – Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization.
🔷 Industrial Clusters and Agglomeration
🏙️ Agglomeration – Concentration of industries in specific areas for mutual benefit.
💡 Example: Detroit (automobile), Bengaluru (IT).
🔷 Sustainable Industrial Development
🌱 Focus on eco-friendly production, resource recycling, and clean energy.
💡 Green industries use renewable energy and reduce waste.
🧭 Summary
🔹 Secondary activities involve manufacturing and processing of raw materials.
🔹 Types: Household, Small-scale, Large-scale, High-tech.
🔹 Factors of location: raw materials, power, labour, capital, market.
🔹 Major industrial regions: North America, Europe, Asia.
🔹 India’s hubs: Mumbai-Pune, Chotanagpur, Hugli, Bengaluru-TN.
🔹 High-tech and footloose industries dominate modern economies.
🔹 Industrialization brings growth but must be sustainable.
📝 Quick Recap
✨ Secondary activities = Manufacturing + Processing
⚙️ Four types = Household, Small-scale, Large-scale, High-tech
📍 Location factors = Raw material, Power, Labour, Market
🌍 Industrial belts = USA, Europe, Japan, India
💡 Trends = Globalization, High-tech, Sustainability
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QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK
🔵 Question 1 (i): Which one of the following statements is wrong?
🔴 (a) Cheap water transport has facilitated the jute mill industry along the Hugli.
🟢 (b) Sugar, cotton textiles and vegetable oils are footloose industries.
🟡 (c) The development of hydro-electricity and petroleum reduced, to a great extent, the importance of coal energy as a locational factor for industry.
🔵 (d) Port towns in India have attracted industries.
🟢 Answer: (b) Sugar, cotton textiles and vegetable oils are not footloose industries.
💡 Concept: Footloose industries are those not tied to raw material or market location (e.g., electronics, IT).
🔵 Question 1 (ii): In which one of the following types of economy are the factors of production owned individually?
🔴 (a) Capitalist
🟢 (b) Mixed
🟡 (c) Socialist
🔵 (d) None
🟢 Answer: (a) Capitalist
💡 Concept: In a capitalist economy, individuals own resources and operate businesses for profit.
🔵 Question 1 (iii): Which one of the following types of industries produces raw materials for other industries?
🔴 (a) Cottage Industries
🟢 (b) Small-scale Industries
🟡 (c) Basic Industries
🔵 (d) Footloose Industries
🟢 Answer: (c) Basic Industries
💡 Concept: Basic industries supply essential raw materials (like steel, cement) to other industries.
🔵 Question 1 (iv): Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
🔴 (a) Automobile industry — Los Angeles
🟢 (b) Shipbuilding industry — Lusaka
🟡 (c) Aircraft industry — Florence
🔵 (d) None of the above
🟢 Answer: (a) Automobile industry — Los Angeles
💡 Concept: Los Angeles (USA) is a major hub for automobile manufacturing.
🔷 Question 2 (i): Write a short note on High-Tech Industry (about 30 words)
🟢 Answer:
💻 High-tech industries use advanced technology, R&D, and skilled labour.
🌍 They are located in technopoles like Silicon Valley and Bengaluru.
⚙️ They produce electronics, computers, and biotechnology products.
🔷 Question 2 (ii): Write a short note on Manufacturing (about 30 words)
🟢 Answer:
🏭 Manufacturing involves value addition by converting raw materials into finished goods.
🧠 It includes processing, assembly, and fabrication in industries.
📊 It contributes significantly to national income and employment.
🔷 Question 2 (iii): Write a short note on Footloose Industries (about 30 words)
🟢 Answer:
🌍 Footloose industries are not tied to any specific location.
💡 They depend on skilled labour, infrastructure, and transport.
💻 Examples: Electronics, software, IT-based services.
🔷 Question 3 (i): Differentiate between primary and secondary activities.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ Primary Activities: Extraction of natural resources (e.g., agriculture, mining).
✳️ Secondary Activities: Transformation of raw materials into products (e.g., manufacturing).
🧭 Primary = raw material producers; Secondary = value addition.
🔷 Question 3 (ii): Discuss the major trends of modern industrial activities especially in the developed countries of the world.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Shift from heavy to light and high-tech industries.
2️⃣ Rise of footloose and service-based industries.
3️⃣ Use of automation and robotics.
4️⃣ Concentration near urban centres and technopoles.
5️⃣ Focus on R&D, clean energy, and global markets.
🔷 Question 3 (iii): Explain why high-tech industries in many countries are being attracted to the peripheral areas of major metropolitan centres.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Availability of land and clean environment.
✔️ Lower land costs and less congestion.
✔️ Proximity to universities and R&D centres.
✔️ Good connectivity with metropolitan areas.
💡 Peripheral locations promote sustainable growth.
🔷 Question 3 (iv): Africa has immense natural resources and yet it is industrially the most backward continent. Comment.
🟢 Answer:
🌍 Despite rich resources, Africa lacks:
✳️ Infrastructure and capital
✳️ Skilled labour and technology
✳️ Political instability and colonial legacy
💡 Result: Limited industrialization, dependence on primary sector.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS
🔷 Section A – MCQs (1 mark each)
🔵 Question 1: Which of the following is not a footloose industry?
🔴 1️⃣ Electronics
🟢 2️⃣ Software
🟡 3️⃣ Sugar
🔵 4️⃣ IT Services
🟢 Answer: 3️⃣ Sugar
🔵 Question 2: The jute industry in India is mainly located along which river?
🔴 1️⃣ Ganga
🟢 2️⃣ Hugli
🟡 3️⃣ Yamuna
🔵 4️⃣ Godavari
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Hugli
🔵 Question 3: Which factor is least important for the location of high-tech industries?
🔴 1️⃣ Skilled labour
🟢 2️⃣ Proximity to market
🟡 3️⃣ Raw material
🔵 4️⃣ Research facilities
🟢 Answer: 3️⃣ Raw material
🔵 Question 4: Which of the following is a basic industry?
🔴 1️⃣ Textile
🟢 2️⃣ Iron and Steel
🟡 3️⃣ Food processing
🔵 4️⃣ Electronics
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Iron and Steel
🔵 Question 5: Which of the following is incorrect about footloose industries?
🔴 1️⃣ Require heavy raw materials
🟢 2️⃣ Depend on communication
🟡 3️⃣ Skilled labour is essential
🔵 4️⃣ Can locate anywhere
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Require heavy raw materials
🔵 Question 6: The Iron and Steel industry is mainly a _ industry.
🔴 1️⃣ Footloose
🟢 2️⃣ Resource-based
🟡 3️⃣ Market-based
🔵 4️⃣ High-tech
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Resource-based
🔵 Question 7: Which of the following industries is labour-intensive?
🔴 1️⃣ Textile
🟢 2️⃣ Automobile
🟡 3️⃣ Petrochemical
🔵 4️⃣ Aircraft
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Textile
🔵 Question 8: The concept of least cost theory was given by—
🔴 1️⃣ Weber
🟢 2️⃣ Losch
🟡 3️⃣ Christaller
🔵 4️⃣ Rostow
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Weber
🔵 Question 9: Which one of the following is not a characteristic of high-tech industry?
🔴 1️⃣ Use of robotics
🟢 2️⃣ Large unskilled labour
🟡 3️⃣ R&D orientation
🔵 4️⃣ Advanced technology
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Large unskilled labour
🔵 Question 10: Which of the following countries has technopoles like Silicon Valley?
🔴 1️⃣ USA
🟢 2️⃣ India
🟡 3️⃣ Japan
🔵 4️⃣ Germany
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ USA
🔵 Question 11: Which of the following is a footloose industry?
🔴 1️⃣ Steel
🟢 2️⃣ Electronics
🟡 3️⃣ Cement
🔵 4️⃣ Jute
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Electronics
🔵 Question 12: Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
🔴 1️⃣ Shipbuilding – Lusaka
🟢 2️⃣ Aircraft – Florence
🟡 3️⃣ Automobile – Los Angeles
🔵 4️⃣ Textile – Ruhr Valley
🟢 Answer: 3️⃣ Automobile – Los Angeles
🔵 Question 13: Which type of industry provides raw materials for other industries?
🔴 1️⃣ Cottage
🟢 2️⃣ Basic
🟡 3️⃣ Consumer
🔵 4️⃣ Footloose
🟢 Answer: 2️⃣ Basic
🔵 Question 14: Which of the following is a footloose factor?
🔴 1️⃣ Power supply
🟢 2️⃣ Market proximity
🟡 3️⃣ Transport
🔵 4️⃣ Skilled labour
🟢 Answer: 4️⃣ Skilled labour
🔵 Question 15: In which type of economy are factors of production owned individually?
🔴 1️⃣ Capitalist
🟢 2️⃣ Mixed
🟡 3️⃣ Socialist
🔵 4️⃣ None
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Capitalist
🔵 Question 16: Which one is not a factor influencing industrial location?
🔴 1️⃣ Raw materials
🟢 2️⃣ Power
🟡 3️⃣ Colour of soil
🔵 4️⃣ Labour
🟢 Answer: 3️⃣ Colour of soil
🔵 Question 17: Which of the following statements is false?
🔴 1️⃣ Industries are evenly distributed across the world
🟢 2️⃣ Industrial regions are concentrated in some areas
🟡 3️⃣ Developed countries dominate industrial output
🔵 4️⃣ Factors like power and transport affect industrial location
🟢 Answer: 1️⃣ Industries are evenly distributed across the world
🔷 Section B – Source-Based Questions (3 marks each)
🔵 Question 18:
📘 Study the following information and answer:
“The rise of hydroelectric power and petroleum reduced the dominance of coal as the prime source of energy. New industries now focus on skilled labour, R&D, and modern infrastructure.”
🟢 (a) Which industries depend on such modern factors?
🟢 (b) Why did coal lose importance?
🟢 (c) Name two industries using hydroelectricity.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ (a) High-tech and footloose industries.
✳️ (b) Because hydro and petroleum are cleaner, flexible, and more efficient.
✳️ (c) Aluminium and textile industries.
🔵 Question 19:
📘 Read the passage:
“Footloose industries are not tied to any specific location. They rely on factors like skilled labour, connectivity, and information technology.”
🟢 (a) Define footloose industries.
🟢 (b) Mention one example.
🟢 (c) Give two reasons why they can locate anywhere.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ (a) Industries independent of raw material or market location.
✳️ (b) Example: Software industry.
✳️ (c) Depend on communication and skilled labour, not raw materials.
🔷 Section C – Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)
🔵 Question 20: What are the main characteristics of manufacturing?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Value addition to raw materials.
✔️ Use of labour, capital, and machines.
✔️ Involves large-scale production for markets.
🔵 Question 21: Explain any three factors affecting industrial location.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Raw Material: Nearness reduces cost.
2️⃣ Power: Continuous supply essential.
3️⃣ Transport: Needed for movement of goods.
🔵 Question 22: Distinguish between basic and consumer industries.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ Basic Industries – Provide raw materials (e.g., Iron & Steel).
✳️ Consumer Industries – Produce goods for direct use (e.g., Textile).
💡 Both are interlinked in industrial structure.
🔵 Question 23: Why are high-tech industries located near metropolitan cities?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Availability of skilled workforce.
✔️ Proximity to research institutions.
✔️ Efficient infrastructure and connectivity.
🔷 Section D – Long Answer Questions (5 marks each)
🔵 Question 24: Differentiate between primary and secondary activities with suitable examples.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ Meaning:
➡️ Primary activities involve extraction of natural resources (e.g., farming, fishing, mining).
➡️ Secondary activities involve processing and manufacturing (e.g., steel, textiles).
✳️ Features:
1️⃣ Primary: Nature-based, rural areas, dependent on environment.
2️⃣ Secondary: Industrial, urban areas, technology-driven.
3️⃣ Output: Primary → raw materials; Secondary → finished goods.
4️⃣ Labour: Primary = unskilled; Secondary = skilled.
5️⃣ Examples: Agriculture vs Automobile industry.
💡 Conclusion: Both are interlinked — secondary relies on primary for inputs.
🔵 Question 25: Discuss the major trends of modern industrial activities in developed countries.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ 1. Shift to High-Tech: Industries using robotics, AI, R&D.
✔️ 2. Decentralization: Movement to suburban or peripheral areas for space and cost.
✔️ 3. Footloose Growth: Flexibility in location due to digital connectivity.
✔️ 4. Environmental Concern: Eco-friendly and clean production.
✔️ 5. Globalization: Integration with world markets and MNC dominance.
💡 Conclusion: Modern industry is knowledge-based, automated, and sustainable.
🔵 Question 26: Explain why high-tech industries are being attracted to peripheral areas of major cities.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Land Availability: Cheap, spacious areas available.
2️⃣ Clean Environment: Suitable for high-tech precision.
3️⃣ Less Congestion: Smooth logistics and less pollution.
4️⃣ Connectivity: Linked by highways, airports, IT networks.
5️⃣ Proximity: Near universities, research hubs, skilled labour.
💡 Final Point: Peripheral areas offer cost-efficiency + innovation = ideal for high-tech growth.
🔵 Question 27: Describe the factors affecting industrial location according to Weber’s Least Cost Theory.
🟢 Answer:
✳️ Theory Basis: Industries locate where total cost (transport + labour + agglomeration) is minimum.
✔️ 1. Transportation Cost: Select site minimizing distance from raw materials & market.
✔️ 2. Labour Cost: Availability of cheap labour shifts location if it offsets transport cost.
✔️ 3. Agglomeration: Clustering benefits like shared services and infrastructure.
💡 Conclusion: Industrial location = lowest cost + maximum efficiency.
🔵 Question 28 (a): “Africa has immense natural resources, yet remains industrially backward.” Justify.
🟢 Answer:
1️⃣ Colonial Legacy: Resource exploitation for foreign benefit.
2️⃣ Poor Infrastructure: Weak transport and power networks.
3️⃣ Low Capital & Technology: Dependence on imports.
4️⃣ Skilled Labour Shortage: Education and training lacking.
5️⃣ Political Instability: Deterrent to investment.
💡 Conclusion: Potential is high; growth needs stable governance and investment.
OR
🔵 Question 28 (b): Examine the environmental consequences of industrialization.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ 1. Air Pollution: From smokestacks and vehicles.
✔️ 2. Water Pollution: Industrial effluents contaminating rivers.
✔️ 3. Land Degradation: Dumping of solid waste.
✔️ 4. Resource Depletion: Overuse of minerals and fossil fuels.
✔️ 5. Climate Change: Emission of greenhouse gases.
💡 Conclusion: Sustainable practices essential for long-term development.
🔷 Section E – Map-Based Questions (5 marks each)
🔵 Question 29: On the outline map of the world, identify and label any five of the following:
🟢 1️⃣ Major automobile region – Detroit
🟢 2️⃣ Major shipbuilding centre – Glasgow
🟢 3️⃣ Major iron and steel region – Ruhr
🟢 4️⃣ High-tech region – Silicon Valley
🟢 5️⃣ Major industrial region – Osaka
🟢 Answer: Label above locations correctly on world map with neat symbols.
🔵 Question 30: On the outline map of India, identify and label:
🟢 1️⃣ Mumbai-Pune Industrial Region
🟢 2️⃣ Chotanagpur Industrial Region
🟢 3️⃣ Hugli Industrial Region
🟢 4️⃣ Bengaluru-Tamil Nadu Region
🟢 5️⃣ Delhi NCR Industrial Region
🟢 Answer: Label all five regions on India map clearly.
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