Leaving Certificate Geography slides on a non european region

1. INDIA

2. Massive Population – 1,200 000 000 (1.2 Billion) people
Massive poverty but also massive potential – India economy is
now growing rapidly after decades of stagnation
Significant natural and human resources
Huge cultural and economic impact – India is a regional
superpower and Indian culture has spread worldwide
One of the world’s few nuclear armed countries

5. India has a subtropical climate – fairly high temperature and
high precipitation
Monsoons (wet seasons) are frequent, as is flooding
India’s poverty means that floods are particularly devastating
West is generally drier and hotter than the east

6. Huge country – huge soil variety
Alluvial Soils at the deltas of major rivers (e.g. Ganga Valley)
Laterites (leached soils) inland
Black Soils at the Deccan Plateau

7. Describe and explain any two factors that influence the
development of agriculture in a non-European Continental /
Sub-Continental Region that you have studied. (2010 LC
Hons)
Region named: 2 marks
Two named factors: 2 marks + 2 marks
Examination: 12 x SRPs (6SRPs per factor)
Do not accept Irish or European regions
Discussion without reference to appropriate region = 0 marks

8. Agriculture – 1.2 Billion people to feed – major economic
activity
Subsistence farming is common, poor soils and major floods
mean that food shortages sometimes occur
Irrigation has led to salt buildups in soil – reducing fertility –
as has failure to rotate crops
Malnutrition is a major problem – 2nd highest level of
malnourished children in the world (higher than Sub-Saharan
Africa)

12. Much of the land is covered in scrub vegetation
India’s tropical rainforests have been heavily overexploited –
for use as fuel, building material and for export
Rapid population growth has put great strain on forest
resources and much of the original rainforest has disappeared

13. Big Coastline – fishing is a major activity
Like Ireland, fishing industry was undeveloped until recently –
now expanding rapidly
Sharks, Sardines and Anchovies main species caught
Kerala most important fishing state

14. India’s large energy sources and mineral ores have been
recently exploited and industrial development is rising as a
result
◦ Iron Ore (e.g. in Madhya)
◦ Copper (in Bihar)
◦ Petroleum (Mumbai High Field, at sea)
◦ Coal (3rd largest reserves in world)
India’s energy exports are significant earners for the economy
India also produces significant amounts of Biofuels

18. Mixture of small scale companies (serving local market) and
large companies who export
◦ Textiles (in most large cities)
◦ Food Processing (e.g. tea, coffee)
◦ Iron, Steel, Copper mills (e.g. Mittal, largest steel company in world)
◦ Film making (e.g. Bollywood)
◦ Car manufacturing (recent growth sector)

20. Transport – state controlled – now developing rapidly after
decades of stagnation – very bureaucratic
Road – greater car use (e.g. Tata Nano) has led to increased
car use – road building has increased as well
Rail – new developments include Kolkata’s first underground
railway
Air – Government airlines still dominate the market
Military – constant tensions with Pakistan means that India’s
army is relatively large

22. Describe and explain the development of secondary or
tertiary economic activities in a non-European Continental /
Sub-Continental Region that you have studied.
Region named: 2 marks
Examination: 14 x SRPs
Do not accept Irish or European regions
Discussion without reference to appropriate region = 0 marks

24. India is majority Hindu, largest minorities are Muslims and
Sikh
Long standing tension between Pakistan (Muslim) and India
(Hindu) – similar to Irish situation
Occasionally results in sporadic outbreaks of violence (e.g.
Mumbai, 2008)

28. Lack of proper planning/development until recently
Subject to massive in-migration from rural areas
Steep social divisions between rich and poor
Major pollution/congestion problems
HOWEVER….
Cities also drive economy by providing a labour pool