Answer the following questions.

1. What can you say about the territory of the USA?

2. What is the main means of transport in the USA? Why? What other means of transport are popular in the country?

3. Why are the ocean coasts in the east and the west of America densely populated?

4. What part of the country is separated from the other territory of the USA?

5. What mountain ranges of America can you name?

6. Why are the mountains so important for the economy of the country?

7. What role plays the rivers of the USA? How are they connected? What for?

8. How do the discoveries of new deposits of mineral resources influence the economy of different states in America?

9. Why does America have favourable conditions for agriculture?

10. How does the country use these advantages?

 

Retell the text “The influence of the geography of the USA on the economics”.

Can you give your own examples of the influence of the geographical position on the economy of a certain country?

 

Read the following stories and tell what the circumstances and peculiarities of the development of certain branches of industry and agriculture are in different countries.

Japan

Close government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defence allocation have helped Japan become the second largest economy in the world, after the USA. Banking, insurance, real estate, retailing, transportation and telecommunications are all major industries. Japan has a large industrial capacity and is home to some of the largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel motor vehicles and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, and processed foods. It is home to leading multinational corporations and commercial brands in technology and machinery. Construction has long been one of Japan’s largest industries, with the help of multi-billion dollar government contracts in the civil sector. Distinguishing characteristics of the Japanese economy have included the cooperation of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and banks in closely-knit groups called keiretsy and the guarantee of lifetime employment in big corporations. Recently, Japanese companies have begun to abandon some of these norms in an attempt to increase profitability. Japan is home to the world’s largest bank, the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, to world’s second largest stock exchange in Tokyo, the world’s largest postal savings and the largest holder of personal savings. Among world famous companies one can find such as Sony, Sumimoto, Mitsubishi, and Toyota that own trillion-dollar operating banks, investment groups and financial cervices such as Sumimoto Bank, Fuji Bank, Mitsubishi Bank, Toyota Financial Services and Sony Financial Holdings.

Because only about 15% of Japan’s land is suitable for cultivation, a system of terrace farming is used to build in small areas. The results are one of the world’s highest levels of crop yields per unit area. However, Japan’s small agricultural sector is also highly subsidized and protected. Japan must import about 50% of its requirements of grain and fodder crops other than rice, and it relies on imports for most of its supply of meat. In fishing, Japan is ranked second in the world behind China in tonnage of fish caught. Japan maintains one of the world’s largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. Japan relies on foreign countries for almost all oil and food.

Transportation in Japan is highly developed. The country has a vast net of paved roadways, about 25 thousand kilometers of railways and 175 airports. There are extensive international flights from many cities and countries to and from Japan.

Japan’s main export partners are the USA, China< South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Its main exports are transport equipment, motor vehicles, electronics, electrical machinery and chemicals. With very limited natural resources to sustain economic development, Japan depends on other nations for most of its raw materials, thus it imports a wide variety of gods. Its main import partners are China, the USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Australia, South Korea and Indonesia. Japan’s major imports are machinery and equipment, fossil fuels, foodstuffs (in particular beef), chemicals, textiles and raw materials for its industries. Overall, Japan’s larging trading partner is China.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s economy is petroleum-based; 90% of export earnings come from the oil industry. The country gets more from oil than from the private sector. About 24% of the world’s proven total petroleum reserves are in Saudi Arabia. But many experts now believe that Saudi Arabia is greatly exaggerating its reserves and may soon show production declines. The government is attempting to promote growth in the private sector by privatizing industries such as power and telecom. Shortages of water and rapid growth of population may constrain government efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural sector.

To diversify the economy Saudi Arabia launched a new city on the western coast with investment exceeding 26.6 billion dollars. The city will be built near al-Rabegh industrial city north to Jeddah. The new city, where construction work started in December 2005, includes a port which is the largest port of the country. Extending along the coastline of 35 km the city will also include petrochemical, pharmaceutical, tourism, finance and education and research areas. Having been one of the most backward countries of the world even in the 30s years of the 20^th century, nowadays the kingdom rapidly develops not only the oil industry but also hi-tech industries, trade, tourism, especially pilgrimage tourism and some others. In agriculture horse breeding and camel rearing is developed more than growing crops, vegetables and fruit.

Many men and women from oriental countries, east Africa, countries of Middle East seek work in the Kingdom. There are also some people from North America, South America and Europe. Hundreds of thousands of low-skilled workers and skilled workers from regions of the developing world migrate to Saudi Arabia, sometimes only for a short period of time, to work. Although exact figures are not known, skilled experts in banking and service professions seek work in the Kingdom.

Argentina

Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. The country historically had a large middle class compared to other Latin American countries, but this segment of the population was decimated by a succession of economic crises at the end of the 20^th century. The country faces a very high level of inflation and unemployment was more that 25%. Since 2002, there has been an improvement in the situation of the poorer sectors and a strong rebound of the middle class. Now the yearly economy growth is about 8-9%.

Among the major export commodities in agriculture are soy, vegetable oil, wheat, maize, oats, sorghum, and sunflower seeds (24%). Cattle are also a major industry. Beef, milk, leather products, and cheese were 6% of total export. Fruit and vegetables made up 3% of exports. They are grown in the Rio Negro valley, northwest plains, Mesopotamia, Gran Chaco. Argentina is the world’s fifth-largest wine producer, and fine wine production has taken major leaps in quality. In fishery, argentine hake accounts for 50% of catches, Pollack and squid follow. Forestry has expanded in Mesopotamia; elm for cellulose, pine and eucalyptus for furniture, timber and paper products.

Industrial petrochemicals, oil and natural gas are Argentina’s second group of exports, 20% of totals. The most important oil fields lie in Patagonia and Cuyo. An impressive network of pipelines send raw product to Bahia Blanca, centre of the petrochemical industry, and to La Plata-Rosario industrial belt. Coal is also mined. Mining is a rising industry. The northwest and San Juan Province are main regions of activity. Metals mined include gold, silver, zinc, magnesium, copper, sulphur, tungsten and uranium. In only ten years export enlarged six times. Argentina manufactures motor vehicles, auto parts, and transportation and farming equipment, iron and steel, foodstuffs and textiles. Other manufactures include cement, industrial chemicals, home appliances, and processed wood. The biggest industrial centres are Buenos Aires, Rosario and Cordoba. The service sector is the biggest contributor to total GDP. Argentina produce energy in large part through well developed hydroelectric resources; nuclear energy is also of high importance. The country is one of the largest producers and exporters (with Canada and Russia) of Cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope widely used in cancer therapy. Telecommunications is extremely strong, with an important penetration of mobile telephony (75% of population) and internet (30%) and broadband services (3%) have been expanding rapidly. Regular telephone (85% of households) and mail are robust.

Tourism is increasingly important, now providing 7% of economic output. Argentines are travelling more within their borders, and foreigners are flocking to a country seen as affordable, safe and incredibly diverse: cosmopolitan Buenos Aires and Rosario, the incomparable Iquaze Falls and colonial Salta; the South American indigenous Jujuy Province and fun-filled Cordoba; the wineries of Mendoza; the ski-suitable scenic Bariloche to the beaches of Pinamar; and Perito Moreno Glacier to legendary Tierra del Fuego. About 4 million tourists visit the country every year.