Factors Affecting Development

Question 1

what physical factors affect development?

Answer 1

• Natural resources
• Location
• Terrain
• Climate
• Tourism
• Natural disasters

Question 2

Natural resources

Answer 2

• Some countries have natural resources such as oil, which can be sold to generate foreign currency.
• Countries with fertile soils and a suitable climate can grow cash crops which can be sold for income.
• By contrast other areas lacking in mineral resources and those with poor soils or poor drainage will remain less developed.
• Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

Question 3

Location

Answer 3

• Some countries are landlocked and find it more expensive to export and import goods.
• Zambia

Question 4

Terrain

Answer 4

In some countries mountains and steep slopes make it difficult to farm, travel and earn a living.

Question 5

Climate

Answer 5

• A very hot and dry climate can cause desertification, making it very difficult to grow crops to feed the population.
• Famine can lead to malnutrition, and a reduced capacity to work and create income.
• Ethiopia, Somalia

Question 6

Tourism

Answer 6

• Some countries have attractive scenery, which attracts tourists creating income and job opportunities.
• Brazil, Madagascar

Question 7

Natural disasters

Answer 7

• Some countries suffer natural disasters which destroy infrastructure and wipe out efforts for development.
• Caribbean (hurricaines), Ethiopia (famine)

Question 8

what human factors affect development?

Answer 8

• Population size
• Industrialisation
• Skills and education
• Corruption
• Laws
• Conflict
• Debt
• Disease

Question 9

Population size

Answer 9

• High population growth will generally limit development, since resources such as food, space, and water will have to be spread more thinly.
• India, Nigeria

Question 10

Industrialisation

Answer 10

• the level of industry and commerce in a country will limit its development.
• Many workers in a developing country work in the primary sector and there isn’t the skills or infrastructure to develop manufacture or commerce.

Question 11

Skills and education

Answer 11

• Countries with a poor education system have many low skilled workers and are unable to attract foreign investment.
• Mali, South Sudan

Question 12

Corruption

Answer 12

• Corruption in government can lead to money (in some cases international aid) being used inappropriately for military purposes.
• Nigeria, South Sudan

Question 13

Laws

Answer 13

• A lack of strict pollution laws makes some countries more attractive for manufacturing industries.
• South-East Asia

Question 14

Conflict

Answer 14

• Where countries suffer from conflict or civil war, they are unable to keep the economy working and spend extra finance on weapons.
• Myanmar, Somalia

Question 15

Debt

Answer 15

• Countries which have accumulated large debts have to repay loans and interest reducing the money available for services.
• China, Brazil

Question 16

Disease

Answer 16

• Countries suffering from endemic disease struggle to develop because money has to go towards healthcare rather than infrastructure.
• People may also miss work more often, causing the economy to suffer.
• Many African countries like Zambia and Tanzania have had development setbacks due to malaria and aids.