Question.
Africa has immense natural resources and yet it is industrially the most backward continent. Comment.
(Class 12 geography, Fundamentals of Human Geography, Chapter 6. Secondary Activities )
Answer.
Africa is rich in many natural resources such as mineral resources (iron ore, diamonds, gold, petroleum), hydroelectric potential, land resources, forest resources, and coastal connectivity as well as cheap sources of unskilled labor; Yet it is the most industrially backward continent because of other factors such as lack of skilled labor, capital, technology, markets, transport and communication systems, and aggregation of industries in Africa that do not favor industrial establishment.
The following are unfavorable things for industries in Africa:
Lack of transport facilities: Africa is one of the most underdeveloped in terms of modern transport and communication networks. This is the area where road and rail density is minimum.
Low socio-economic development: Africa is home to some of the world's poorest people and they waste all their energy on procuring basic things like food and clothing. There is less capital formation to set up the industry on its own people.
Fewer markets for industrial production: Countries in developed regions are also not setting up high industries in Africa because they do not see a market for rich people in Africa nor do they need skilled labor, cheap electricity, and more to reduce the cost of production. Favorable things like a fast transport system are available. All the industries in Africa are mainly related to mining and the exploitation of natural resources.
Politically unstable: Many countries of the African continent are politically unstable and there is also a lack of unity and trust in African countries.
Lack of appropriate technology for African climate: Africa is very diverse both in terms of socio-cultural and climatic conditions. The industrial technology of Europe is not suitable in many parts of Africa because the climate of Africa is different from that of Europe
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