Industry Geography – Spatial Distribution of Industries Explained
Industry geography studies the spatial distribution and location of industries across different regions. It explores how geographical, social, economic, and political factors influence where and why industries are established, expand, or decline.
Understanding these patterns is key to analyzing regional development, trade, labor markets, and global economic shifts—especially in IGCSE and Cambridge O Level exams.
🗺️ What Is Industry Geography?
At its core, industry geography investigates:
🏭 Where industries are located
🧮 Why they are located there
🌍 How industrial patterns evolve regionally and globally
🔍 Key Factors Affecting Industry Location
| Factor | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 🛤️ Transport Links | Proximity to rail, ports, roads | Port-based steel factories |
| ⚡ Energy Availability | Power supply, cost, stability | Aluminum smelters near dams |
| 🏞️ Raw Materials | Access to inputs like minerals | Mining towns |
| 👩🔧 Labor Supply | Skilled/unskilled workforce availability | Tech hubs in India |
| 🏙️ Market Proximity | Close to consumers | Food processing near cities |
| 🏛️ Government Policies | Tax incentives, zoning laws | Free zones in Dubai |
| 💰 Capital Availability | Access to banks, VC funding | Silicon Valley |
| 👥 Agglomeration Economies | Benefits of clustering similar industries | Detroit auto industry |
🌀 Industrial Zones & Spatial Models
✅ Core-Periphery Model
Core regions: Urbanized, industrialized (e.g., New York, Tokyo)
Periphery: Rural, underdeveloped, often resource-dependent
✅ Agglomeration
Industries cluster for shared infrastructure, labor, and markets.
✅ Industrial Decentralization
Moving industries from core to periphery due to cost or congestion.
🌐 Case Study Examples
1. Tech Industry in Bangalore, India
Agglomeration, skilled labor, government support
2. Heavy Industry in Ruhr Valley, Germany
Rich in coal, historical industrial zone
3. Oil Industry in UAE
Location influenced by natural resource availability
📘 How to Answer Industry Geography Questions (IGCSE Tip)
Use the SPLINTER framework when analyzing industrial location:
Skills of labor
Policies
Land availability
Infrastructure
Natural resources
Transport
Energy
Raw materials
📊 Industry Geography & Economic Development
The location of industries impacts:
Employment levels
Regional income disparities
Urban growth
Environmental concerns (e.g., industrial pollution)
✅ FAQs
Q1: Why do industries move away from cities?
To reduce costs, avoid congestion, and access cheaper land.
Q2: What are agglomeration economies?
Cost savings when industries cluster (e.g., tech firms in one area sharing talent and services).
Q3: What role does transport play in industry geography?
Transport links lower delivery costs and improve market access, making locations more attractive.
