Summary of grade 11 development geography. Includes the concept of development, frameworks to development, trade and development, development issues and challenges and the role of development aid.
Platinum Geography (186-252)
Development Geography
Terminology
• Development: concept with many definitions but most include the fact that development
involves the efficient use of resources to improve the standard of living and quality of life of a
nation.
o The means by which a traditional, low-technology society is changed into a modern,
high-technology society with a corresponding increase in incomes.
• Developed countries: countries are richer and more industrialised than developing countries.
They are economically, culturally and socially advanced than developing countries. Their
populations are well-educated and many work in industrial and service sectors. Mostly in the
northern hemisphere.
• Developing countries: countries that have low standards of living as resources are not yet
utilised effectively; these countries are in the process of becoming developed. They have
small industrial sectors, low national income and populations with low standards of living.
Mostly found in the southern hemisphere.
• Industrialised countries: countries that have experienced rapid growth in their economies due
to a switch from agriculture to large-scale distribution. (E.g., Brazil as many people move
from rural to urban areas and their quality of life improves as their income increases).
More economically developed countries (MEDCs)
• Most recent term used to classify developed countries.
• Use their resources effectively.
• Are highly industrialised.
• Have a high standard of living.
• Have good education, health and transport systems.
• Manufacture and export goods on the world market.
• Have stable governments that are able to donate financial aid to other countries.
Less economically developed countries (LEDCs)
• Most recent term used to classify developing countries.
• Often have high levels of poverty.
• Have weak and sometimes inefficient education, health and transport system.
• Export raw materials.
• Import manufactured goods as they cannot make them.
• Receive financial aid from MEDCs.
1
, Platinum Geography (186-252)
Indicators of development
• Development indicators: standardised units of measurement that reflects levels of
development.
• Economic indicators: indicators that measure the amount of money in a society.
• Gross domestic product: the total value of all goods and services produced within a country
in a given year (territory based).
• Gross national product (GNP): GDP plus income earned by a country citizens or corporations
abroad (citizenship based).
• GDP per capita: the GDP divided by the total population recorded as an annual average.
Social indicators of development
• Social indicators: indicators that measure the welfare (quality of life) of a society. It includes
things such as education level, access to healthcare, provision of services such as running
water and electricity.
• The Human Development Index (HDI) is an index that reflects the health education and
standard of living of the population.
o It is used to compare the quality of life in different populations.
o It combines literacy, life expectancy and GDP per capita.
o For every country, a value of between zero and one is calculated. Values closer to 1
indicate high human development, while values closer to 0 reflect low human
development.
o There is a strong correlation between income group and HDI value. Where income is
high, HDI values also tend to be high. However, two countries that fall in the same
category may have different HDIs (for example South Africa and Argentina) .
• The Gini-coefficient is a social indicator that reflects income distribution in a population.
o It ranges between zero and one, although it is sometimes multiplied by 100.
2
, Platinum Geography (186-252)
o If wealth is equally distributed and everybody earns the same amount then the Gini-
coefficient is zero.
o The higher the Gini-coefficient value, the less equal the spread of wealth in a society
is, and the bigger the gap between the rich and the poor is.
o South Africa’s Gini-coefficient is very high. This tells us a small percentage of the
population earns the most money.
Demographic indicators of development
• Demographic indicators: statistics about the population (for example number of people,
density, distribution, birth rate, migration).
• Life expectancy at birth: the average number of years a person can expect to live within a
certain society.
• Infant mortality rate: the number of deaths within the first year of life per thousand children
born.
• People will live longer in a society
where they have access to good
nutrition, adequate childcare,
extended education and a variety
of employment opportunities.
• High life expectancy is also found
where levels of income and HDI
values are greater.
3
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller kaityjericevich. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R80,00. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
