Practical lesson

In this practical lesson we bring together what we learned in the whole chapter. To characterize an economic region we work in a set order: first the economic-geographic position (neighbouring areas, transport routes), then natural conditions and resources, then population and labour resources, then the structure of the economy and specialization, transport and foreign links, and finally problems and prospects. Population density is found by dividing population by area: density = population / area (people per sq km). To judge specialization we use the formula K = M / A, and if K is greater than one the region is considered specialized in that branch. When comparing two regions we separate similarities (for example, both rely on irrigated farming) from differences (for example, industry dominates in one and agriculture in the other). In describing your city or district it is useful to draw a diagram of production links by raw material, energy and finished product, and to write nature-protection measures. Take data from the atlas, statistical handbooks and reliable official sources: numbers change from year to year, so also write down their date.