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The development of technology also played an important role in the settlement of people at the coal mines of Mpumalanga.
SASOL was established in the middle of the previous century to manufacture, amongst other things, petroleum from coal. Petroleum and other chemical substances, like artificial fertilizers, have been manufactured in the Northern Free State since 1955.
Further developments in this technology over the next 50 years have had an enormous influence on the settling of people in the Northern Free State and in southwest Mpumalanga. If it had not been possible to manufacture chemical substances from coal, this region would have had a stretch of coal mines now, with only the employment opportunities that these mines can offer. Technology, however, makes drastic changes possible. In addition to the mines, there now are large factories that provide employment to thousands of people in the region.
Industries and industrial areas
South Africa is a fairly prosperous country compared to the rest of Africa. Minerals , fishing , agriculture and forestry provide the foundation of our prosperity.
The products obtained from the above are processed in factories to add value to the primary products and thereby ensure prosperity. Numerous employment opportunities created in the factories, and salaries and wages earned by factory workers create prosperity amongst the people.
The four primary industries are
The secondary industries where the processing of primary products take place, are:
People can do nothing about the location of mines, but many issues are considered with regard to the location of the factories in which the products (of the mines) are processed.
A furniture factory will not necessarily be erected near plantations or a steel factory near the mine where the iron ore is mined. People and their interests play an important part in decisions about where factories should be erected. That is why we have to learn about industries when we study human settlement.
What would be an ideal location for a fish-processing factory?
What would be an ideal location for an automobile factory?
The most important industrial areas in South Africa
The most important industrial areas in South Africa are in the following urban areas:
| At the coast | In the interior |
| Cape Town and environment |
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| Port Elizabeth |
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| East London |
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| Durban/Pinetown |
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| Richards Bay | 5. Kimberley |
Write the numbers allocated to the most important industrial areas where the relevant urban areas are on the following map.
The urban areas of the Republic of South Africa
Do you notice any connection between the population density and the concentration of industrial areas? Motivate your answer.
LO 1
GEOGRAPHICAL ENQUIRY
The learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate geographical and environmental concepts and processes.
We know this when the learner:
1.1 with guidance, selects and uses sources of useful geographical information [finds sources];
1.2 distinguishes between facts and opinions [works with sources];
1.3 categorises information [works with sources];
1.4 uses an index to find places on global atlas maps [works with sources];
1.6 identifies and explores possible solutions to problems [answers the question];
1.7 demonstrates knowledge and under-standing of the issue through projects, discussion, debate and charts [communicates the answer].
LO 2
GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The learner will be able to demonstrate geographical and environmental knowledge and understanding.
We know this when the learner:
2.1 identifies and describes major physical features of South Africa, including those of the home province [people and places];
2.2 identifies links between natural resources and economic activities in South Africa [people and resources];
2.3 describes ways in which the physical environment influences human activity and how human activity is influenced by the physical environment [people and the environment
ACTIVITY 1
Where fish resources are
Close to transport network and labour source
ACTIVITY 2
Yes, where industries are established, population is denser
Advantages:
- Employment
- Income
- Further training
- More opportunities
Disadvantages:
- Poor living conditions
- Transport problems
- Perhaps unemployed
- Violence
- Crime
Poorer – desperate for food and clothing and living accommodation
No support
Transport
Unemployment
Services
Crime
Housing
Housing supplied
Medical services supplied
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