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THIS NOTES BELONG TO:
SEC 4 GEOGRAPHY
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A GEOGRAPHER
DEVELOPMENT (SET 2)
Objective:
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To explain why uneven development exists between developed countries and less
developed countries
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Reasons
Explanation
Colonialism
Historical
What is colonialism?
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The domination of a more powerful country over another country
The dominated country is the colony
The more powerful country is the colonial power
Reasons for colonialism
a. for raw materials
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Colonial powers wanting to obtain raw materials which could not be
found or grown in their own countries.
For example, Portuguese colonized Angola in the 15th century and set
up plantations to exploit the physical conditions and the availability of
labour there.
This is because Angola’s climate and soil conditions were suitable for
growing cash crops like cotton, coffee and cocoa.
The Portuguese knew that this would fetch a high price.
b. for trade routes
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Another reason was to gain control of important trade routes.
Thus, many colonies were also colonised for their strategic location.
For example, Singapore was colonised for its strategic location in the
Straits of Malacca
Why did the colonial power become richer?
 The colonial powers added value to these raw materials by converting
them into useful products, which were sold at profit. (they had factories
to process and manufacture products)
 An example is that cotton could be processed into clothing and can be
sold at a higher price.
 Thus, colonial powers become richer from the sale of these products,
allowing them to expand and develop their economies even further.
Why did the colonies remain poor?
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Former colonial powers had a head start to boost their development
and economic growth leaving the former colonies far behind.
This disparity (difference) in development continued to widen as
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PREPARED BY: MISS SUHAILA MOHAMED NOOR
SEC 4 GEOGRAPHY
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colonial powers continued to develop their technology and industrialise
further.
But countries which were former colonies continued to export low value
raw materials from which they gained little profit, so they remain poor
and less developed.
BUT some former colonies are well developed.
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S’pore managed to develop well after the British left.
This is because the British had built infrastructure for S’pore’s port and
trade activities.
After independence, trading activities continued to help earn wealth.
Presence of raw materials
Physical
The presence of raw materials can aid development.
E.g. Norway, one of the most developed countries
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well-endowed with (have many) natural resources.
Money earned from selling raw materials is spent on developing the
whole country.
For e.g. improve infrastructure, housing, water treatment
However, the presence of raw materials is not a guarantee that the country will
develop.
E.g. Nigeria. It is the largest oil producer in Africa
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sell their oil to other countries.
over 20% of Nigeria’s GDP and nearly 95% of its foreign earnings is
from oil
But they use the money to develop the urban areas instead of rural
areas.
their environment is also damaged due to the fast rate of extracting raw
materials.
Quality of life is worsened by pollution
So oil earnings have not benefited the whole population, and the
majority remain poor.
There are some countries with no or little raw materials, but are well
developed e.g. Japan and S’pore.
S’pore’s development: No raw materials but used its strategic location and
manufacturing to develop.
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Pre-independence: trading centre
1960s – 1980s: trading centre tourist attraction and develop secondary
industry (attract MNCs to set up factories to provide jobs)
1990s and beyond: trading and manufacturing develop S’pore as
tourist, health, education & financial hub
regionalisation (encourage S’porean businessman to invest
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SEC 4 GEOGRAPHY
overseas, especially in the regional countries like China and India.
Climate
Most DCs in what Climate?
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Top 10 DCs are in Europe (Except for Australia, Canada and USA)
Located in temperate climate zone between latitudes 23.5 N and 66.5 N
of the Equator
Has favourable climate for growing important crops
Able to grow crops on a large scale
Most LDCs in what Climate?
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10 LDCs at the bottom of the list are in Africa.
Located in tropical climate zone, Tropical grassland regions
Between 23.5º N and S of the Equator.
Experience high temperatures and low seasonal rainfall
How does climate favour development
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Climate refers to the atmospheric conditions a at specific location over
a period of 30-35 years
It an important factor affecting the types of crops that can be grown
there
Temperature and climate favours development to a certain extent
E.G. the climate in Canada and America is suitable for growing crops
likes oat and wheat, these crops are used in making a lot of our daily
needs like bread and noodles.
• When people are able to grow large amount of
these crops they can sell it in their own countries
or even export it.
This would mean more income which would be added to the GDP/GNP
per capita which is one of the economic indicator which measures
development.
How can technology overcome climate problems
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With advancements in technology, many climate limitations can be
overcome.
It is possible to control the physical conditions with the use of
greenhouses and nurseries where crops are grown
with the help of modern technology the sunlight the crops receive , the
temperature of the surroundings and as well as the amount of water the
plants need in order to grow well can be controlled.
Case study: Netherlands
 To prevent flooding, the government implemented a series of flood
prevention measures e.g. the zuider zee project.
 It involved the reclaiming of lands from the sea from an island called
Zuider Zee.
 The lands reclaimed is known as polders, there are in total 4 polders
reclaimed with a total area of 166000 hectare
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SEC 4 GEOGRAPHY
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Thus Netherlands has successfully overcome a natural climate hazard
and thus improve the lives of its people.
But only DCs can afford technology to overcome climate limitations.
Natural disasters and climate hazards
Case-study: China:
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affected by floods annually
caused by monsoon rain or by cyclones
In 2005 , 1000 killed, and thousands made homeless
millions of dollars worth of damage caused to infrastructure
in rural areas, crops and livestock destroyed.
the already poor people need to rebuilt their homes, and thus continue
have a low standard of living
Case-study: Ethiopia;
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High temperatures and low rainfall cause frequent droughts.
Insufficient rainfall reduce crop output
Hence its development is slowed down due to unfavourable climate.
Cumulative Causation
Economic
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The DCs grow rapidly due to cumulative causation, while most LDCs can’t
develop fast due to backwash effect
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Core refers to more developed countries/ regions, and periphery refers to
the less developed countries/ regions
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The process of how the movement of people and resources from the
periphery area increases the wealth of the core area is known as
cumulative causation
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The flow of labour and raw materials from the periphery is a disadvantage
to the periphery and is known as a backwash effect.
Cumulative causation
The wealth of the core area increases due to the movement of people and
resources from the periphery area. The core area has more job opportunities.
Therefore, the people from the periphery area come to core area in search of
jobs. Thus, there will be more people in the core area. With more people in the
core area, there will be an increase in the demand of goods and services.
Thus, leading to the expansion of new businesses and the economy.
Backwash effect.
Investment and labor will be attracted to the better potential areas which are
prone to develop.The better potential areas are called core. In order for the
core to develop, it drains labour and raw materials from the periphery, causing
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PREPARED BY: MISS SUHAILA MOHAMED NOOR
SEC 4 GEOGRAPHY
disadvantage to the periphery. Thus, this is known as the backwash effect.
Spread effects
The flow of labour and raw materials from the core to the periphery is known as
spread effects
They is an increasing trend now for investments moving to LDCs to take
advantage of lower production cost, labour cost or availability of raw materials.
This aids in the development of the LDCs.
Case study: Car manufacturing in Thailand
By moving the manufacturing companies to Thailand, Japan can reduce the
cost of manufacturing. As the cost of manufacturing in Japan is rising, Japan
companies decided to invest in setting up the factories in Thailand. Thus, Thaïs
were employed in these factories to gain knowledge and skills in automobile
manufacturing from the Japanese counterpart. Thailand’s companies grew due
to the investment in Japanese automobile companies. On the other hand, the
Japanese car manufacturers benefited from the cheaper labour costs of
employing Thai workers compared to Japanese workers in their own country.
Education
Social
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Literacy Rate: refers to the percentage of adults (above 15 years old) in a
country who can read and write.
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When the literacy rate is low, the people working in the tertiary sector will
be less and this will lead to lower generated income. Thus the country will
have a lower GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
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Developed Countries like Italy, USA, Switzerland have higher literacy rates
than Less Developed Countries
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WHY? The government in DCs have enough revenue to provide build
schools, train teachers and subsidise education for their citizens.
Why do LDCs have low literacy rates?
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Governments lacks money to provide enough education to children in the
country
the government concentrates more on the core region or the capital of the
country, providing more education facilities in urban areas.
the government doesn’t concentrate on the periphery as the population is
mostly working in the primary sector such as mining and farming, where
education is not necessary.
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PREPARED BY: MISS SUHAILA MOHAMED NOOR
SEC 4 GEOGRAPHY
Population Growth Rate
Population Growth Rate = Birth Rate - Death Rate + Net Migration
Countries with High Population (Birth Rate > Death Rate)
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In such countries (LDC), the people will face problems such as o Insufficient food
o Insufficient housing
o High illiteracy
o Low employment opportunities
Thus, the country’s standard of living and the quality of life is affected.(eg
Ethiopia, Nigeria)
Countries with Low Population (Birth Rate < Death Rate)
In such countries (DC) , people have few children. (birth rates are low) due to:
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inability and unwillingness to get hitched or even give birth.
people put the career ahead of starting a family
it is expensive to raise children, so people have fewer children
In general, countries with a low population growth rate (eg Japan, Norway)
develop faster than countries with a high population growth rate.
Political Conflict
Political
Political conflict refers to the state of disagreement that may result in violence
and bloodshed
How does political conflict cause harm to people?
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The conflict cause people to be forced out of the major cities and towns
to live in the countryside.
As the people flee out of the country, businesses are closed.
Many people are killed.
Those who are still alive suffer.
They are left with little possession to start their live all over again.
Wars cause tourists to avoid the country
How does political conflict affect investors?
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The lack of political stability prevent investors from setting up business in
the country
They are afraid that the business in the country will be affected and
disrupted anytime
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PREPARED BY: MISS SUHAILA MOHAMED NOOR
SEC 4 GEOGRAPHY
Case studies
Sierra Leone
Switzerland
Political conflict and social instability Long history of political stability and
peace
Civil war since 1990s
Many overseas investors have
confidence setting up business
Poorest and LDC in the world (ranked
2nd from the bottom in HDI list)
Most DC in the world
(GDP:US$30,552)
Lowest literacy rate (little money to
spend on education)
Education is made compulsory till
16 years old
(HDI value: 0.298)
Mostly in primary sector
Little need for people to go to school.
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Mostly in secondary and tertiary
sectors
Political conflicts affect a country
We must always try our best to maintain stability in our country.
Singapore
 Politically stable country with one party (PAP) rule since independence
 No riots, strikes, etc to disrupt the country..
 We have good relationship with our neighbours, so no threat of war.
 Businessmen and tourists have strong confidence in S’pore and
continue to invest and visit S’pore.
Leadership
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Leadership is a process of setting directions,
motivating people into action and
working towards a common goal.
Characteristics of governments with good leadership
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The country must be progressing well in their economic, health and
education sectors.
The government must be made up of capable people, who are efficient
and development oriented.
Lastly, they must also be able to meet the needs and aspirations of
their people.
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PREPARED BY: MISS SUHAILA MOHAMED NOOR
SEC 4 GEOGRAPHY
Case study: Norway
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has a stable and forward-looking government.
cares about its citizen and its economic development.
Petroleum is a major source of income for Norway because the Norwegian
government feels that both the petroleum companies and the citizens
would be able to benefit from it.
The government also ensures that the wealth generated from Norway's
petroleum industry is shared among its citizens.
This shows that the government has played a significant role in helping
Norway achieve a high level of development.
Case Study: Philippines
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LDCs: many have corrupt governments.
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E.g. people in Philippines have asked their president to resign as there are
allegations of corruption. Last Philippine president was charged for
corruption too. Philippines’ development remains slow.
Singapore
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We have strong leadership.
Leaders are honest, capable and forward thinking.
They plan for the future and have the welfare of the people at heart.
Hence to continue to grow economically and improve our quality of life.
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PREPARED BY: MISS SUHAILA MOHAMED NOOR