Question 1: What is 'agglomeration' in the context of Economic Geography?

Answer: Agglomeration refers to the clustering of industries or businesses in a specific area to benefit from shared services, infrastructure, and labor pools.

Question 2: Define 'industrial region' with an example from the US.

Answer: An industrial region is a geographically concentrated area of interconnected industries, such as the Great Lakes manufacturing belt.

Question 3: Explain the term 'deindustrialization'.

Answer: Deindustrialization is the decline of industrial activity in a region, often due to automation, globalization, or relocation of industries.

Question 4: What is meant by 'economic diversification'?

Answer: Economic diversification refers to the process of a region expanding its range of industries to reduce dependence on a single sector.

Question 5: Name an example of a technology hub in the US.

Answer: Silicon Valley in California.

Question 6: Identify the main industry in Detroit and its significance.

Answer: The automotive industry, which historically made Detroit a major manufacturing center and influenced regional employment.

Question 1: Which region in the US is most known for its technology industry?

Answer: Silicon Valley, California

Question 2: Name the primary industry historically associated with Detroit.

Answer: Automotive manufacturing

Question 3: What does 'globalization' mean in the context of Economic Geography?

Answer: Globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness of economies, leading to the worldwide distribution of industries and markets.

Question 4: Identify one factor that influences the location of industries in the US.

Answer: Access to transportation infrastructure, such as ports or railways.

Question 5: Name the region in the US that experienced significant decline in manufacturing from the 1970s onwards.

Answer: The Rust Belt, including parts of the Midwest.

Question 1: Based on the case study of the Silicon Valley in California, explain two reasons why this area became a major technology hub.

Answer: Silicon Valley's development was driven by the proximity to leading universities like Stanford, a high concentration of tech firms, venture capital availability, and a skilled workforce.

Question 2: Analyze how the decline of the automotive industry in Detroit affected the regional economy.

Answer: The decline led to increased unemployment, urban decay, and economic diversification challenges, prompting efforts to attract new industries such as technology and services.

Question 3: Evaluate the impact of offshore manufacturing on US industrial regions like the Midwest.

Answer: Offshore manufacturing has contributed to deindustrialization, job losses, and economic decline in regions like the Rust Belt, but has also led to lower production costs and increased global competitiveness for US companies.

Question 4: Describe the role of transportation infrastructure in supporting industrial regions such as the Great Lakes manufacturing belt.

Answer: Transportation infrastructure like railroads, ports, and highways facilitates the movement of raw materials and finished goods, enabling efficient industrial operations and regional economic growth.

Question 1: Explain why certain industries cluster together in regions like the Great Lakes or Silicon Valley.

Answer: Industries cluster due to factors like shared resources, skilled labor pools, infrastructure, agglomeration benefits, and proximity to markets or research facilities.

Question 2: Analyse the causes of deindustrialization in the US Midwest.

Answer: Causes include globalization and offshore manufacturing, technological automation reducing factory jobs, shifts to a service-based economy, and policy changes leading to industry relocation.

Question 3: Explain how technological innovation influences regional economic development in the US.

Answer: Technological innovation can attract high-tech industries, create new employment opportunities, and foster regional growth, as seen in Silicon Valley and Seattle.

Question 1: To what extent has globalization contributed to the decline of traditional manufacturing regions in the US? Discuss both positive and negative impacts.

Answer: Globalization has led to the offshoring of manufacturing jobs, contributing to economic decline in regions like the Rust Belt, but it has also enabled US companies to access cheaper production costs, increase competitiveness, and grow other sectors like technology and services. The overall impact varies depending on regional economic diversification and policies supporting transition.