Economic activities of man. Economic activities of people Geography of main types of economic activities

A person is an inherently purposeful activity, i.e. the efforts made by people are based on a certain calculation, and their direction is in the nature of satisfying human needs.

Economic influences his life activity, because in the process of managing people, on the one hand, spend energy, resources, etc., and on the other hand, they make up for living expenses. In this state of affairs (a person in economic activity) has to strive to rationalize his own actions. It is possible to act rationally only if costs and benefits are correctly compared, which, however, does not guarantee the absence of errors in making decisions that are required economic activity person.

Human economic activity in the biosphere is a very complex and intricate complex, consisting of phenomena and processes of various kinds. Theoretical economics in this aspect distinguishes four stages, represented by production itself, distribution, exchange and consumption.

These are processes that result in the creation of material and spiritual benefits that are necessary for humanity to exist and develop.

Distribution is a process during which the shares (quantity, proportions) are determined, according to which each business entity takes part in the creation of the manufactured product.

Exchange is the process of moving material goods from one economic entity to another. In addition, exchange is a form of social communication between producers and consumers.

Consumption at its core is the process of using production results to satisfy some needs. Each stage of economic activity is interconnected with the others, and they all interact with each other.

Characterizing the relationship between the stages of economic activity requires understanding the fact that any production is a social and continuous process. Constantly repeating itself, production develops - from the simplest forms to Although these seem completely dissimilar, the general points that are inherent in production as such can still be identified.

Production is the basis of life and the source of progressive development of society in which people exist, the starting point of economic activity. Consumption is the final point, and distribution and exchange are the accompanying stages that link production and consumption. Given that production is the primary stage, it serves only for consumption. Consumption forms the final goal, as well as the motives for production, since in consumption products are destroyed, it has the right to dictate a new order to production. If the need is satisfied, it gives rise to a new need. It is the development of needs that serves driving force, due to the influence of which production develops. At the same time, the emergence of needs is determined precisely by production - when new products appear, a corresponding need for these products and their consumption appears.

Just as production depends on consumption, so distribution and exchange depend on production, since in order to distribute or exchange something, it is necessary that something be produced. At the same time, distribution and exchange are not passive in relation to production, and are capable of having a reverse effect on it.

More than 10 thousand years ago, people produced almost nothing, but only drew everything they needed from the natural environment. Their main activities were gathering, hunting and fishing. As humanity “matured,” people’s occupations changed greatly.

What is modern farming?

Geography of main types of economic activities

With the advent of new types of economic activities of people, their economies also changed. Agriculture involves growing plants (crop farming) and raising animals (livestock farming). Therefore, its placement strongly depends on both the characteristics of these living organisms and natural conditions: relief, climate, soil. Agriculture employs the largest portion of the world's working population - almost 50% But the share of agriculture in total world production is only about 10%.

Industry is divided into mining and manufacturing. The extractive industry includes the extraction of various minerals (ores, oil, coal, gas), logging, fishing and sea animals. Obviously, its placement is determined by the location of the extracted natural resources.

Manufacturing enterprises are located according to certain laws, depending on what products and how they produce.

The service sector is a special part of the economy. Its products, unlike agricultural and industrial products, are not any kind of thing. Services are activities that are important to modern people: education, health care, trade, transport and communications. Enterprises in this area - shops, schools, cafes - serve people. Therefore, the higher the population density, the more such enterprises there are.

All natural areas have long been developed by humans. It actively conducts economic activities, thereby changing the characteristics of natural areas. How do human economic activities differ in natural areas?

Polar deserts

These are the most unsuitable regions of Russia for farming. The soil here is permafrost and covered with ice. Therefore, neither animal husbandry nor crop production is possible here. There is only fishing here.

The coastal areas are home to Arctic foxes, whose fur is highly prized throughout the world. Arctic foxes are actively hunted, which could lead to the extinction of this species.

Rice. 1. The most unsuitable natural zone for farming is the Arctic desert

Tundra and forest-tundra

Natural conditions are not much better than in the polar deserts. Only indigenous people live in the tundra. They are engaged in hunting, fishing, and reindeer herding. What changes did the person make here?

The soil of these areas is rich in gas and oil. Therefore, their extraction is actively carried out here. This leads to significant environmental pollution.

Forest zone

This includes taiga, mixed and deciduous forests. The climate here is temperate, characterized by cold winters and relatively warm summers. Thanks to the large number of forests, plant and animal world. Favorable conditions allow you to thrive various types human economic activity. A large number of factories and factories have been built in these regions. People here are engaged in livestock farming, farming, fishing, and the woodworking industry. This is one of the natural areas modified by humans to the greatest extent.

Rice. 2. The world is experiencing active deforestation

Forest-steppe and steppe

These natural and economic zones are characterized by a warm climate and insufficient precipitation. The soil here is the most fertile, and the fauna is very diverse. Agriculture and livestock farming flourish most in these areas. Various varieties of vegetables and fruits, cereals are grown here. Coal and iron ore are actively mined. This leads to distortion of the relief and destruction of some species of animals and plants.

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Semi-deserts and deserts

The conditions here are not the most favorable for human economic activity. The climate is hot and dry. The soil is desert, not fertile. The main type of economic activity in the deserts is animal husbandry. The population here breeds sheep, rams, horses. The need to graze animals leads to the final disappearance of vegetation.

Rice. 3. Livestock in the desert

Subtropics and tropics

This region has been the most affected by human activity. This is due to the fact that this is where civilizations arose and the use of these areas has been going on for a very long time.

Subtropical and tropical forests have been practically cut down, and the territories are occupied by agricultural plantings. Huge areas are occupied by fruit trees.

What have we learned?

Man is engaged in economic activities in almost all natural areas of the world. This leads to their significant modification, which ultimately can lead to the extinction of some species of animals and plants.

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Human settlement across continents. Most scientists believe that the ancient homeland of man is Africa and Southwestern Eurasia. Gradually, people settled across all continents of the globe, with the exception of Antarctica (Fig. 38).

It is believed that first they mastered the habitable territories of Eurasia and Africa, and then other continents. In place of the Bering Strait, there was land that about 30 thousand years ago connected the northeastern part of Eurasia and North America. Along this land “bridge”, ancient hunters penetrated into North and then South America, all the way to the Tierra del Fuego islands. Man entered Australia from the South East Asia.

Findings of human fossils have helped to draw conclusions about the routes of human settlement.

Main areas of settlement. Ancient tribes moved from one place to another in search of better conditions for life. The settlement of new lands accelerated the development of animal husbandry and agriculture. The population also gradually grew. If about 15 thousand years ago there were believed to be about 3 million people on Earth, today the population has reached almost 6 billion people. Most people live on the plains, where it is convenient to cultivate arable land, build factories and factories, and locate settlements.

There are four areas of high population density on the globe - South and East Asia, Western Europe and eastern North America. This can be explained by several reasons: favorable natural conditions, well-developed economy, long history of settlement. In South and East Asia, in conditions favorable climate The population has long been engaged in farming on irrigated lands, which allows them to harvest several harvests a year and feed a large population.

Rice. 38. Proposed routes of human settlement. Describe the nature of the regions through which people moved

IN Western Europe and in the east of North America, industry is well developed, there are many factories and factories, urban population. The population that moved here from European countries settled on the Atlantic coast of North America.

The main types of economic activities of people. Their influence on natural complexes. The nature of the globe is the environment for the life and activity of the population. By doing farming, a person influences nature and changes it. Wherein different types economic activities affect natural complexes differently.

Changes natural complexes especially strongly Agriculture. Growing crops and raising domestic animals requires significant areas. As a result of land plowing, the area under natural vegetation has decreased. The soil has partially lost its fertility. Artificial irrigation helps to obtain high yields, but in arid areas, excessive watering leads to soil salinization and reduced yield. Domestic animals also change vegetation cover and soil: they trample vegetation and compact the soil. In dry climates, pastures can turn into desert areas.

Under the influence of human economic activity, forest complexes experience great changes. As a result of uncontrolled logging, the area under forests around the globe is decreasing. In tropical and equatorial zones, forests are still being burned to make way for fields and pastures.

Rice. 39. Rice fields. Each rice sprout is planted by hand in flooded fields.

The rapid growth of industry has a detrimental effect on nature, polluting the air, water and soil. Gaseous substances enter the atmosphere, and solid and liquid substances enter the soil and water. When mining minerals, especially in open pits, a lot of waste and dust arises on the surface, and deep, large quarries are formed. Their area is constantly growing, while soil and natural vegetation are also being destroyed.

The growth of cities increases the need for new land areas for houses, construction of enterprises, and roads. Nature is also changing around large cities, where large numbers of residents vacation. Environmental pollution has a negative impact on human health.

Thus, in a significant part of the globe, human economic activity has, to one degree or another, changed natural systems.

Complex cards. The economic activities of the continental population are reflected on comprehensive maps. According to them conventional signs can be determined:

1. mining sites;
2. features of land use in agriculture;
3. areas for growing crops and raising domestic animals;
4. settlements, some enterprises, power plants.

Natural objects and protected areas are also depicted on the map. (Locate the Sahara on a comprehensive map of Africa. Determine the types of economic activities of the population on its territory.)

Countries of the world. People living in the same territory, speaking the same language and having a common culture form a historically established stable group - an ethnos (from the Greek ethnos - people), which can be represented by a tribe, nationality or nation. The great ethnic groups of the past created ancient civilizations and states.

From the history course you know what states existed in ancient times in South-West Asia, North Africa and in the mountains South America. (Name these states.)

Currently there are more than 200 states.

Countries of the world are distinguished by many characteristics. One of them is the size of the territory they occupy. There are countries that occupy an entire continent (Australia) or half of it (Canada). But there are very small countries, such as the Vatican. Its area of ​​1 km is just a few blocks of Rome. Such states are called “dwarf”. The countries of the world also differ significantly in population size. The number of inhabitants of some of them exceeds hundreds of millions of people (China, India), in others - 1-2 million, and in the smallest - several thousand people, for example in San Marino.

Rice. 40. Floating timber leads to river pollution

Countries are distinguished by geographical location. The largest number they are located on continents. There are countries located on large islands (for example, Great Britain) and archipelagos (Japan, Philippines), as well as on small islands (Jamaica, Malta). Some countries have access to the sea, others are hundreds and thousands of kilometers away from it.

Many countries also differ in the religious composition of the population. The most widespread religion in the world is the Christian religion (Eurasia, North America, Australia). In terms of the number of believers, it is inferior to the Muslim religion (countries of the northern half of Africa, South-West and South Asia). Buddhism is common in East Asia, while many in India practice the Hindu religion.

Countries also differ in the composition of their population and in the presence of monuments created by nature, as well as by man.

All countries of the world are also heterogeneous in terms of economic development. Some of them are more developed economically, others less.

As a result of rapid population growth and the same rapid growth needs for natural resources Human influence on nature has increased throughout the world. Economic activity often leads to unfavorable changes in nature and to a deterioration in people's living conditions. Never before in the history of mankind has the state of nature deteriorated so quickly on the globe.

Issues of environmental protection and preserving living conditions for people on our planet have become one of the most important global problems affecting the interests of all states.

1. Why is population density different in different places around the world?
2. What types of human economic activities change natural systems most strongly?
3. How have the economic activities of the population in your area changed the natural complexes?
4. Which continents have the most countries? Why?