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  1. AP Human Geography
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Economic Sectors and Patterns

Isabella Hernandez

Isabella Hernandez

7 min read

Next Topic - Measures of Development

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Study Guide Overview

This AP Human Geography study guide covers the world economy, focusing on economic sectors (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, and quinary), commodity chains, the core-periphery model (core, semi-periphery, and periphery countries), and deindustrialization. It includes definitions, examples, and explanations of key concepts. The guide also provides practice questions and exam strategies for the AP exam.

#AP Human Geography: The World Economy - Night Before Review 🌍

Hey there, future AP Human Geo master! Let's get you prepped for the exam with this streamlined, high-impact review. We'll hit all the key points, connect the dots, and make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace it! Let's dive in! 🚀

#Economic Sectors: The Building Blocks 🧱

Understanding the different sectors of the economy is crucial. Think of them as the different stages of a product's journey, from raw material to final service. Let's break it down:

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Key Concept

Primary Production: Getting Raw Materials ⛏️

  • Definition: Extraction of raw materials from the earth. Think farming, mining, fishing, and forestry.
  • Examples:
    • Farming: Growing crops 🌾 or raising livestock 🐄
    • Mining: Extracting minerals like coal, metals, and oil 🛢️
    • Forestry: Harvesting trees for wood and paper 🌲
    • Fishing: Catching seafood 🎣
    • Quarrying: Extracting stone and sand 🧱
  • Key Idea: Directly uses natural resources. Sustainability is a big concern here. 💡

#Secondary Production: Making Stuff 🏭

  • Definition: Processing raw materials into finished goods. This is where manufacturing and construction happen.
  • Examples:
    • Manufacturing: Creating textiles, cars, electronics 🚗
    • Construction: Building roads, buildings, bridges 🌉
    • Power Generation: Producing electricity ⚡
  • Key Idea: Involves specialized equipment and skilled labor. Drives economic growth. 📈

#Tertiary Production: Providing Services 🚚

  • Definition: Providing services rather than physical goods. Think healthcare, education, and finance.
  • Examples:
    • Healthcare: Medical services 🏥
    • Education: Teaching and knowledge sharing 📚
    • Finance: Banking, investment, insurance 🏦
    • Hospitality: Hotels, restaurants 🏨
    • Retail: Selling goods to consumers 🛍️
  • Key Idea: The service sector. Creates high-skilled jobs and drives innovation. 💡

#Quaternary Production: Knowledge and Information 💰

  • Definition: Creation and distribution of knowledge and information. Think research and development, IT, and consulting.
  • Examples:
    • Research & Development: Scientific and technological research 🔬
    • Information Technology: Computer systems and software 💻
    • Management Consulting: Business advice 💼
    • Intellectual Property: Patents, trademarks, copyrights 📝
  • Key Idea: Highly skilled, knowledge-intensive industries. Drives innovation and competitiveness. 💡

#Quinary Production: Decision Making 🏛️

  • Definition: Highest level of economic activity involving decision-making and policy-making. Think high-level management and government administration.
  • Examples:
    • High-Level Management: Strategic decisions 🎯
    • Policy Development: Creating national/international policies 📜
    • Government Administration: Managing government operations 🏛️
    • Think Tank Research: Public policy analysis 🧐
  • Key Idea: Influences the direction and performance of the entire economy. 💡
Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

  1. Which of the following economic activities is most closely associated with the primary sector? (A) Automobile manufacturing (B) Software development (C) Coal mining (D) Financial services (E) Retail sales

  2. A country that has transitioned from a manufacturing-based economy to a service-based economy is experiencing: (A) Agglomeration (B) Deindustrialization (C) Gentrification (D) Neocolonialism (E) Suburbanization

Free Response Question

Explain how the shift from a primary-based economy to a tertiary-based economy can impact a country's development and social structure. (3 points)

Scoring Breakdown

  • Point 1: Explanation of the shift: Identify the general shift from raw material extraction to service-based activities (e.g., agriculture to finance).
  • Point 2: Impact on development: Describe how this shift affects economic development (e.g., higher GDP, increased urbanization, higher skilled labor force).
  • Point 3: Impact on social structure: Describe how this shift affects social structures (e.g., changes in class structure, increased inequality, changing gender roles).

#Commodity Chains: From Start to Finish 🔗

  • Definition: The entire process of a product's life, from raw material extraction to final sale.
  • Key Idea: Includes all steps: extraction, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and retail. 💡
  • Why it Matters: Helps understand the social, economic, and environmental impacts of production. 💡

#Break-of-Bulk Points: Where Things Change Hands 🚢 ➡️ 🚚

  • Definition: Locations where goods transfer from one mode of transportation to another.
  • Examples: Ports, airports, rail yards. ⚓️✈️🚂
  • Key Idea: Enables efficient movement of goods over long distances. Crucial for the global supply chain. 💡

#Global Trade: Core, Semi-Periphery, and Periphery 🌎

#Core Countries: The Economic Powerhouses 👑

  • Definition: Highly industrialized, economically advanced countries that dominate the global economy.
  • Key Idea: Have the advantage in global trade. 💡

#Semi-Periphery: The Middle Ground ⚖️

  • Definition: Countries between the core and periphery, with a mix of characteristics from both.
  • Examples: Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC countries) 🇧🇷🇷🇺🇮🇳🇨🇳
  • Key Idea: Have some industrialization but less global influence than core countries. 💡

#Periphery: Dependent on the Core 📉

  • Definition: Less industrialized, less economically developed countries often dependent on core countries.
  • Examples: Many countries in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. 🌍
  • Key Idea: Often lack economic and political power. 💡
Memory Aid

Mnemonic: Core is Capitalistic, Periphery is Poor, and Semi-periphery is Striving.

#Deindustrialization: The Shift Away from Manufacturing 📉

  • Definition: Decline in a country's industrial sector, often with job losses and factory closures.
  • Causes: Technological change, globalization, shifts in economic policy.
  • Impacts: Rising unemployment, declining incomes, social unrest. 😟
  • Examples:
    • The United States: Shift to a service-based economy. 🇺🇸
    • The United Kingdom: Decline of coal, steel, and shipbuilding. 🇬🇧
    • The Rust Belt (US): Loss of heavy industry. 🏭
Common Mistake

Don't confuse deindustrialization with a lack of economic development. Deindustrialization is a shift away from manufacturing, not necessarily a sign of a struggling economy. It can happen in developed countries.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

  1. Which of the following best describes a break-of-bulk point? (A) A location where goods are manufactured (B) A place where goods are stored before being sold (C) A point where goods are transferred from one mode of transportation to another (D) A market where goods are traded (E) A region known for its high concentration of industries

  2. Which of the following is a characteristic of a periphery country in the world system? (A) High levels of industrial output (B) Dominance in global financial markets (C) Dependence on core countries for trade and investment (D) Advanced technological infrastructure (E) High levels of political stability

Free Response Question

Discuss the causes and consequences of deindustrialization in a developed country. (3 points)

Scoring Breakdown

  • Point 1: Cause of deindustrialization: Identify one cause of deindustrialization (e.g., technological advancements, globalization, outsourcing).
  • Point 2: Consequence of deindustrialization: Describe one economic consequence (e.g., job losses, economic decline, increase in service sector).
  • Point 3: Consequence of deindustrialization: Describe one social consequence (e.g., social unrest, increased inequality, population migration).

#Final Exam Focus: High-Priority Topics & Strategies 🎯

  • Economic Sectors: Know the differences between primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, and quinary sectors. Be able to give examples for each.
  • Commodity Chains: Understand the flow of goods from raw materials to the consumer.
  • Core-Periphery Model: Be able to classify countries as core, semi-periphery, or periphery and understand the relationships between them.
  • Deindustrialization: Know what it is, why it happens, and its impacts.

#

Exam Tip

Exam Strategies:

  • Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
  • FRQs: Make sure to answer all parts of the question, and use specific examples to support your points.
  • MCQs: Read all answer choices carefully, and eliminate the ones you know are wrong.
  • Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and trust in your preparation. You've got this! 💪

Alright, you've got this! Go get that 5! 🎉

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Question 1 of 10

Which economic sector is primarily concerned with the extraction of raw materials from the earth? ⛏️

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary

Quaternary