Geography · Textbook solutions

Secondary Economic Activities

Every textbook question in book order, plus the board's past questions. · 37 questions

Chapter activities

15 q

Try this / Make friends with maps! / Use your brain power!

Practice · 15

Read the following situations and answer. 1) Look at the map of Solapur district in fig. 5.2. It shows the location of some sugar industries. Shamrao is a farmer at location A. He has just harvested his sugarcane crop. 2) Firoz's son has done an advanced course in Bakery Management from the nearby city. Firoz wants his son to start a bakery in their village but his son says it should be in the city, which is around 20 kms from their village. 3) Shantaram is a young boy from a tribal area in Maharashtra. He wants to start a honey processing unit as he has access to good honeycombs in the forest. The city is around 35 kms away. He has his own land in the village and is also getting land in the city.
Act p01 Scen(1) $Study the map and tell where should Shamrao send his crop? What factors will Shamrao consider for this?$
Act p01 Scen(2) $Who is correct, Firoz or his son? Why?$
Act p01 Scen(3) $Where should Shantaram establish the honey factory, in the village or in the city? Why?$
Act p03 CYT $Find examples of market-oriented industries.$
Act p05 Footloose $Following is a list of a few industries. Think about the factors of location of these industries and tell whether they are footloose industries or not. Complete the table accordingly. 1) Cotton textile industries 2) Cement industries 3) Diamond cutting industries 4) Mobile manufacturing units 5) Paper industry 6) Sugar industry 7) Food processing industry 8) IT (Hardware) industry 9) Oil refinery 10) Hairpins industry Name of Industry Raw materials required Finished products Factor affecting location ......... ......... ......... .........$
Study the given map in fig. 5.3 and answer the questions that follow.
Act p05 F5.3(1) $In which hemisphere do you find more concentration of industries?$
Act p05 F5.3(2) $In which part of North America has the industrial region been mainly developed?$
Act p05 F5.3(3) $In which parts of Europe is concentration of industries mainly found?$
Act p05 F5.3(4) $Why is less industrial development found in the other parts of African continent except coastal areas?$
Act p05 F5.3(5) $In which part of India do you find concentration of industries?$
Act p05 F5.3(6) $Why do you think coastal areas have higher concentration of industries?$
Act p05 F5.3(7) $Write a concluding paragraph on latitudinal distribution of industries in the world.$
Act p09 UBP(1) $Refer to the lumbering map of the world in fig. 4.1 and to fig. 5.3, and tell which industries will be located in the northernmost island of Japan.$
Act p09 UBP(2) $How have the Great Lakes been instrumental in development of industrial region in the USA?$
Act p09 UBP(3) $How has the Trans-Siberian Railway contributed to development of industries in Russia?$

Name of Industry	Raw materials required	Finished products	Factor affecting location
.........	.........	.........	.........

Exercise

22 q

Ex Q1

Complete the chain. A B C 1) Small-scale industries 1) Manual manufacturing 1) Ceramics 2) Cottage industries 2) Skilled crafts person 2) Tata Iron and Steel company 3) Consumer goods 3) Individual ownership 3) Potters 4) Private sector 4) Ready for direct consumption 4) Pharmaceutical

Identify the correct correlation : A : Assertion; R : Reasoning
Ex Q2(1) $A : The humid climate of Mumbai offered great scope for the development of cotton textile industries. R : Industries require ample amount of water.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Ex Q2(2) $A : In India, industries are found concentrated in few areas are available. R : India is predominantly agrarian country.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Give geographical reasons :
Ex Q3(1) $Distribution of industries is uneven.$
Ex Q3(2) $Iron and steel industries are found in mineral rich area of Dhanbad.$
Ex Q3(3) $Fruit-processing industries are found in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Konkan region.$
Ex Q3(4) $Industrial growth in southern America is limited.$
Short notes :
Ex Q4(1) $Footloose industries.$
Ex Q4(2) $Public sector industries.$
Ex Q4(3) $Economies of scale.$
Ex Q4(4) $Role of transportation in industries.$
Differentiate between :
Ex Q5(1) $Weight-losing and Weight-gaining industries.$
Ex Q5(2) $Primary and Secondary activities.$
Ex Q5(3) $Basic industries and Consumer industries.$
Answer the following :
Ex Q6(1) $Explain the physical factors affecting location of industries.$
Ex Q6(2) $Explain the factors affecting location of sugar industries.$
Ex Q6(3) $Describe the factors that are responsible for less developement of industries in central Australia.$
Show the following on a map of the world with suitable index :
Ex Q7(1) $Ruhr industrial region$
Ex Q7(2) $An industrial region in Japan$
Ex Q7(3) $An industrial region in South Africa$
Ex Q7(4) $An industrial region in Australia$
Ex Q7(5) $Industrial region near Great Lakes$

A	B	C
1) Small-scale industries	1) Manual manufacturing	1) Ceramics
2) Cottage industries	2) Skilled crafts person	2) Tata Iron and Steel company
3) Consumer goods	3) Individual ownership	3) Potters
4) Private sector	4) Ready for direct consumption	4) Pharmaceutical

What the board has asked from this chapter

Questions per paper · 3 papers · 2024 to 2026

June 2026

9 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

S.No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Migration	(a) Meat Processing	(h) Cottage Industry
(2)	Urban problem	(b) Communication	(i) Milk processing
(3)	Pastoral based industries	(c) Pulp processing	(j) Transportation
(4)	Tertiary economic activity	(d) Increase in slums	(k) Climatology
(5)	Physical Geography	(e) Geomorphology	(l) Forced
		(f) Voluntary	(m) Crime

Q1(A)(3)

Pastoral based industries

Classification of Industries

Choose the correct option by identifying the correct co-relation between Assertion and Reason. A : Assertion R : Reason
Q1(B)(3) $A : The humid climate of Mumbai is suitable for the development of cotton textile industries. R : Cement industries are found in large scale at Mumbai.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Physical Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Do as directed :
Q1(C)(3) $Arrange the industries in descending order according to the high capital investment - (a) Carpentry (b) Iron and steel industry (c) Toy making industry (d) Milk processing industry$
Classification of Industries
State whether the following statements are True or False :
Q1(D)(3) $Sugar industries are located near raw material producing area.$
Physical Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Distribution of industries is uneven in the world.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(4) $Heavy industries and Light industries$
Classification of Industries
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(5) $Perth - an industrial region.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Write short notes on (Any THREE) :
Q5(2) $Classification of industries based on ownership.$
Classification of Industries
Draw neat, labelled diagrams (Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(2) $Classification of industries based on output.$
Classification of Industries

March 2026

7 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Making maps	(a) Delhi	(l) Niger
(2)	Administrative cities	(b) Pampas	(m) Small-Scale Industry
(3)	Grass-Land Region	(c) Observation	(n) Skills of Geographer
(4)	Toys	(d) Bangladesh	(o) New York
(5)	Population Explosion	(e) Paper Industry	(p) Argentina

Q1(A)(4)

Toys

Classification of Industries

Choose the correct option and complete the sentences :
Q1(B)(5) $Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited is ______ type of establishment.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Classification of Industries
Answer the following questions as per given instructions :
Q1(C)(1) $Arrange the following industries in descending order based on capital investments - (a) Small scale industry (b) Micro scale industry (c) Large scale industry (d) Medium scale industry$
Classification of Industries
Write True or False :
Q1(D)(5) $Factors affecting industrial location are the same everywhere.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(1) $Fruit processing industries are found in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg Districts of Konkan region.$
Physical Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(5) $Any one industrial region in Japan$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Answer the following questions in detail (Any ONE) :
Q7(2) $Explain the factors affecting the location of industries.$
Physical Factors Affecting Location of Industries

June 2025

10 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in coloumn 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Ice covered region	(a) Capital of the country	(l) Harmful farming
(2)	Administrative city	(b) Artificial satellite	(m) Sparsely populated
(3)	Shifting agriculture	(c) Use of manpower	(n) Communication
(4)	Cottage industry	(d) Polar region	(o) Weavers
(5)	Global Positioning System (GPS)	(e) Small size of farm	(p) Tokyo

Q1(A)(4)

Cottage industry

Classification of Industries

Choose the correct option and complete the sentences.
Q1(B)(4) $Mineral Based Industries :$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Classification of Industries
Do as directed :
Q1(D)(5) $Arrange the following industries in ascending order on the basis of their capital investment. (a) Medium scale industries (b) Small scale industries (c) Large scale industries (d) Micro scale industries$
Classification of Industries
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(8) $Industrial Region in South Africa : Kimberley Witwatersand.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Read the following map/graphs and answer the questions given below : The map is titled 'Map Reading - World Industrial Region'. Its index carries a single symbol, Industrial Region, shown as a solid shaded patch. The shaded patches are named as follows. In North America: New England and the Mid Atlantic Region. In South America: South Brazil and Argentina. In Europe: Great Britain and France. In Asia: the Siberian Region, Chota Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Osaka-Kobe with Kyoto. In Australia and New Zealand: Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Auckland. The continent of Africa carries no shaded patch of any kind.
Q4(B)(1) $What does map indicate?$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q4(B)(2) $In which continent Perth and Sydney industrial regions are located?$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q4(B)(3) $Name the industrial regions in the U.S.A.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q4(B)(4) $Which continent has less industrial development?$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q4(B)(5) $In which country Osaka-Kobe and Kyoto industrial regions are located?$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Answer the following questions in detail (Any ONE) :
Q7(2) $Explain in detail the classification of industries based on the source of raw material.$
Classification of Industries

March 2025

8 q

Complete the chain and rewrite in your answer paper :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Amazon River basin	(1) Manufacturing Activities	(1) Tata Iron and Steel Industries.
(2)	Constrictive Pyramid	(2) Commercial cattle rearing	(2) Low population density.
(3)	Industrial Region	(3) Individual	(3) Low birth rate and least death rate.
(4)	Pampas Grassland	(4) Dense equatorial Forest	(4) South America
(5)	Private	(5) More old age Population	(5) Availability of Employment

Q1(A)(3)

Industrial Region

Major Industrial Regions of the World

Q1(A)(5) $Private$
Classification of Industries
Do as directed: Choose the correct option and write.
Q1(B)(3) $In USA, industrial areas are found in North-Eastern region.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Identify the correct co-relation in the given statements and write : A : Assertion R : Reasoning
Q1(C)(2) $A : In India, industrial areas are found concentrated in few regions. R : India is agricultural country.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Identify the incorrect factor and write it :
Q1(D)(3) $Footloose industries : (a) Cement industries (b) Clock making industries (c) Diamond cutting industries (d) Hairpin making industries$
Economic and Other Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(3) $Distribution of industries is uneven.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q2(4) $Industrial development is not found in Central Australia.$
Physical Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(2) $Public sector industry and Private industry.$
Classification of Industries

June 2024

9 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Consumer goods	(a) Physical geography	(h) Commercial area
(2)	Geography	(b) International	(i) Climatology
(3)	Migration	(c) Industrial area	(j) Pharmaceuticals
(4)	Formal region	(d) Distinct boundaries	(k) India to Australia
(5)	Urban land use	(e) Ready for direct consumption	(l) State
		(f) Current fallow	(m) Automobiles

Q1(A)(1)

Consumer goods

Classification of Industries

Choose the correct option by identifying the correct co-relation between the assertion and reason : (A : Assertion R : Reason)
Q1(B)(3) $A : Diversity is found in industrial production in India. R : India is predominantly agrarian country.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Identify and write the incorrect factor :
Q1(C)(3) $Industries based on ownership : (a) Ancillary sector (b) Public sector (c) Private sector (d) Co-operative sector$
Classification of Industries
Identify whether the following statements are true or false :
Q1(D)(3) $Bakery industries are not located near the markets.$
Economic and Other Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Industrial growth is limited in South America.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Distinguish between (Any THREE) :
Q3(4) $Large-scale industries and Cottage industries.$
Classification of Industries
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(5) $Major industrial country in Northern part of South America.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Write short notes on (Any THREE) :
Q5(2) $Classification of industries based on the source of raw materials.$
Classification of Industries
Draw neat and labelled diagrams (Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(3) $Classification of industries on the basis of capital investment.$
Classification of Industries

March 2024

12 q

Complete the chain and rewrite in your answer paper :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Consumer goods	(e) Atlantic ocean	(m) Pharmaceutical product
(2)	Panama canal	(f) Fertile region	(n) Ecological balance
(3)	Plain	(g) Ready for direct consumption	(o) Development of Agriculture
(4)	Food chain	(h) Short term	(p) Pacific ocean
(5)	Migration	(i) Ecosystem	(r) Arabian sea
		(j) Indian ocean	(s) Long term

Q1(A)(1)

Consumer goods

Classification of Industries

Write True or False :
Q1(B)(3) $Iron and steel industry depends on minerals.$
Classification of Industries
Choose the correct option and complete the sentences :
Q1(C)(3) $Identify the agro-based industries :$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Classification of Industries
Identify incorrect factor :
Q1(D)(2) $Mineral based industries : (a) Petrochemicals (b) Iron and steel industry (c) Woollen textile industry (d) Aluminium industry$
Classification of Industries
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $There are many factors which have hindered the growth of industries in South America.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(4) $An industrial region in South Africa - Kimberley.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q4(A)(5) $Industrial region near Great Lakes.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Write short notes on the following (Any THREE) :
Q5(2) $Foot loose industries$
Economic and Other Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below : Economic motivation is universally and easily available nowadays. It can be given in all sectors. In production sectors more than one such stimulators are used to increase production. Workers and capitalists should work more enthusiastically to increase the production. For that incentive is very useful for such purpose. Desire of power, fame, honest intention of serving, patriotism, such encouragements also motivate human beings to work. These all sources of motivation are mixed more or less in ethical standards of work. Economic motivation is very important motivation. There can be various types of economic motivations. Bonus is given to the workers for the task which is done before deadlines. Sample tasks are considered in the context of the task. Extra allowances or remuneration is given if the production is more than expected and quality is also maintained. This is done so that dissatisfaction does not arise among workers. Such efforts are constantly needed to increase production. The workers can work enthusiastically if the special allowances or incentives are offered. Promotion in job is offerred as an encouragement to do good work is also a kind of economic incentive which is commonly used.
Q6(A)(1) $What is meant by economic motivation?$
Nature of Secondary Economic Activities
Q6(A)(2) $What is the purpose of increasing the production for capitalists?$
Nature of Secondary Economic Activities
Q6(A)(3) $Why special remuneration (bonus) is given?$
Nature of Secondary Economic Activities
Q6(A)(4) $Compare the skilled and unskilled workers in the secondary economic activity.$
Nature of Secondary Economic Activities

The 10 board questions to practise first

The questions and kinds of question the board asked most often come first. Each one says how often and when.

Question 1
This type asked 5 times: Mar 2024, Jun 2024, Jun 2025, Mar 2026, Jun 2026. This one: Jun 2026 See all 5 of this type
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(5) $Perth - an industrial region.$
Question 2
This type asked 3 times: Jun 2024, Jun 2025, Jun 2026. This one: Jun 2026 See all 3 of this type
Draw neat, labelled diagrams (Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(2) $Classification of industries based on output.$
Question 3
This type asked 3 times: Jun 2024, Mar 2025, Jun 2026. This one: Jun 2026 See all 3 of this type
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(4) $Heavy industries and Light industries$
Question 4
This type asked 3 times: Jun 2025, Mar 2026, Jun 2026. This one: Jun 2026 See all 3 of this type
Do as directed :
Q1(C)(3) $Arrange the industries in descending order according to the high capital investment - (a) Carpentry (b) Iron and steel industry (c) Toy making industry (d) Milk processing industry$
Question 5
Asked 2 times: Mar 2025, Jun 2026 See all 2 times it was asked
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Distribution of industries is uneven in the world.$
Question 6
Asked 2 times: Jun 2025*, Mar 2026 (* = numbers or wording changed that year) See all 2 times it was asked
Answer the following questions as per given instructions :
Q1(C)(1) $Arrange the following industries in descending order based on capital investments - (a) Small scale industry (b) Micro scale industry (c) Large scale industry (d) Medium scale industry$
Question 7
Asked 2 times: Mar 2024, Jun 2025 See all 2 times it was asked
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(8) $Industrial Region in South Africa : Kimberley Witwatersand.$
Question 8
Asked 2 times: Mar 2024, Jun 2024 See all 2 times it was asked
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Industrial growth is limited in South America.$
Question 9
Asked once: Mar 2026 (same type asked 5 times) See all 5 of this type
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(5) $Any one industrial region in Japan$
Question 10
Asked once: Jun 2026 (same type asked 3 times) See all 3 of this type
Write short notes on (Any THREE) :
Q5(2) $Classification of industries based on ownership.$

Quick revision

8 most-asked questions · 13 key points · 8 derivations · 2 diagrams

Checked against Balbharati Geography Std XII (Maharashtra State Board), Chapter 5.

Most asked in board papers

1
Major industrial regions of the world: name and locate them (USA, Great Lakes, Japan, South Africa, Australia)
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
2
Factors affecting location of industries, with reasons (sugar, bakery, fruit processing, iron and steel) and footloose industries
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
3
Classification by capital investment: arrange by investment, cottage and large-scale industries
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
4
Classification by source of raw material: agro, mineral, pastoral-based
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
5
Give reasons: distribution of industries is uneven (India's industries concentrated in a few regions)
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
6
Classification by ownership: public, private, joint, co-operative sectors
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
7
Classification by nature of output: heavy and light industries, consumer goods
Asked 2 times: 2026, 2024
8
Give reasons: limited industrial growth in South America and central Australia
Asked 2 times: 2025, 2024

Must-know points

Secondary activities: Secondary activities add value to natural resources by transforming raw materials (the products of primary activities) into valuable products. They include manufacturing, processing and construction (infrastructure) industries. The place where this conversion takes place is called a factory.
Weight-losing and weight-gaining industries: Weight-losing: raw materials are bulky but the product is lighter (sugar from sugarcane), so they are located near the raw material. Weight-gaining: raw materials are lighter but the product is heavier and bulky (cake from a bakery), so they are located near the market.
Economic distance: The cost of transportation and the time required to carry goods. Low cost of transportation is the key factor in the location of industries; it is high for heavy, bulky, perishable raw materials and long distances.
Footloose industries: A footloose industry does not have a strong locational preference, because its resources, production skills and consumers can be found in numerous places, so it may relocate anytime. Inputs and output are lightweight: low volume, high value. Examples: watch-making, diamond cutting, hairpins, honey processing.
Economies of scale (agglomeration): Available facilities attract industries to a region, and with time the region attracts more, so industries concentrate (agglomerate) there. Mutually complementary industries grow together: iron and steel brings utensils, automobile parts, locomotives. New industries earn more profit for low investment.
Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Specially earmarked geographical zones developed for industrial production by the private sector, the public sector or a public-private partnership (PPP), mainly to boost export-quality production. Example: SEEPZ near Santa Cruz.
Industrial region: Pockets with a high concentration of industries due to favourable geo-economic conditions, where manufacturing employs a large share of the working population. Features: agglomeration of industries, dense population and large labour force, large banking and credit facilities, a large transport network, excellent communication.
Uneven distribution of industries: Industries are unevenly distributed because the factors affecting industrial location are not the same everywhere. They concentrate in a few pockets with favourable factors, mostly in the Northern Hemisphere and along coasts.
Classification by source of raw material: Agro-based (sugar, cotton textiles, food processing), marine-based (fish oil, sea-shell objects), forest-based (paper, timber, resins, gums, turpentine), mineral-based (petrochemicals, iron and steel, aluminium), pastoral-based (hide, bone, horn, leather shoes, dairy, wool, silk).
Classification by capital investment: Large-scale: over ₹10 crore (iron and steel, power, cotton textiles). In plant and machinery, medium: over ₹5 crore up to ₹10 crore (cycle, TV, radio); small: over ₹25 lakh up to ₹5 crore (bottles, toys, papers); micro: up to ₹25 lakh (pens, dairy products).
Cottage or household industry: The most basic type of manufacturing: manual production using locally available raw materials at a very small scale or at home, for local markets. Little capital and transport cost; needs good skills. Potters, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters. Some products are exported: Paithani sarees, Indian quilts.
Classification by nature of output: Basic or heavy: produce material used by other industries (iron and steel). Consumer goods or light: goods ready for direct consumption (watches, electronics, textile mills, pharmaceuticals). Ancillary: parts and components for heavy articles like trucks and tractors (nails, tyres, iron sheets).
Classification by ownership: Public sector: owned by the State (BHEL). Private sector: owned by an individual or partners (TISCO). Joint sector: government and individuals together (MNGL). Co-operative: members pool resources and share profit and loss (AMUL). MNCs: operations in more than one country (Hindustan Lever, ONGC).

Derivations

Try each one first, then open its outline.

Explain the factors affecting the location of industries

Physical: climate (harsh climate hinders; humid coast suited cotton thread), raw material (perishable, bulky ones near source), water and power (coal-based near mines).
Physical: labour (skilled or semi-skilled, labour colonies near large industries), transportation (low economic distance), site (flat land, now rural areas like Chakan, Lote Parshuram).
Economic: proximity to market (perishable, heavy or bulky products) and capital (banking and finance, as in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi).
Political: government policies (incentives, subsidised land and water, tax concessions in backward regions) and SEZs.
Other: split location (parts made in different places and assembled at one) and economies of scale or agglomeration.

Give reasons: sugar mills are near the raw material, bakeries near the market

Sugarcane loses weight and sugar content as time after harvest increases, so it must reach a nearby factory fast: sugar is weight-losing and located near the cane fields.
A cake is heavier than its raw materials, and transport cost rises with weight, so a bakery (weight-gaining) is located near the market, in cities.

Give reasons: fruit processing in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg; iron and steel near Dhanbad

Fruits are perishable and must be processed soon, so processing units sit where the fruit is grown (Konkan mangoes and cashew; also Mahabaleshwar, Nagpur).
Iron and steel uses heavy, bulky iron ore and coal; carrying them is costly, so the industry is located in the mineral-rich area near the mines (Dhanbad, Chhota Nagpur).

Give reasons: distribution of industries is uneven

Location factors (climate, raw material, water, power, labour, transport, market, capital, government policy) are not the same everywhere.
Industries concentrate in the few pockets where these are favourable, forming industrial regions; harsh, remote or sparsely peopled areas have few industries.

Why industrial growth is limited in central Australia and South America

Central Australia: hot, dry desert climate, scarce water, sparse population (little labour and market), poor transport and far from ports; industries lie on the coasts (eastern part, Perth).
South America: harsh interior relief, climate and dense forest, poor transport, small markets and limited capital; industry is confined to coastal regions of Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Chile.

Differentiate between large-scale and cottage industries

Large-scale: huge capital (over ₹10 crore), machinery and infrastructure; large output for wide markets; e.g. iron and steel, power, cotton textiles.
Cottage: little capital, manual production at home with local raw material by skilled craftspersons; for local markets; e.g. pottery, weaving, Paithani sarees.

Differentiate between public sector and private sector industries

Public: owned by the State; government makes all investments and markets goods through its agencies; e.g. BHEL.
Private: owned by an individual or partnership, who makes the investment and keeps the profit; e.g. TISCO.

Differentiate between heavy (basic) and light (consumer goods) industries

Heavy or basic: produce material used by other industries; large raw materials and capital; e.g. iron and steel makes steel for automobiles and machinery.
Light or consumer goods: produce goods ready for direct consumption; e.g. watches, electronic goods, textiles, pharmaceuticals.

Diagrams to practise

World map: major industrial regions (Fig. 5.3; exercise Q. 7): label Ruhr industrial region (Germany) · Japan: Tokyo-Yokohama or Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto · South Africa: Witwatersrand or Kimberley · Australia: Perth (west) or the eastern part · Industrial region near the Great Lakes (USA) · a suitable index (key)
Types of industries (Fig. 5.7): label capital investment: cottage, micro, small, medium, large · ownership: private, public, joint, co-operative, MNC · raw material: agro, pastoral, marine, mineral, forest · nature of output: basic, consumer, ancillary

Mistakes that cost marks

Putting the bakery near the raw material

A bakery is weight-gaining: its product is heavier than its inputs, so it is located near the market. Sugar is weight-losing and goes near the cane. The board sets "Bakery industries are not located near the markets" to be corrected.

Calling a heavy industry footloose

Footloose industries have light, high-value inputs and outputs: diamond cutting, watch or clock making, hairpins. Cement is not footloose; it is tied to its bulky raw material.

Mixing up the classifications

Ancillary is a type by output, not by ownership. Woollen textiles are pastoral-based, not mineral-based. BHEL is public sector, TISCO private, AMUL co-operative, MNGL joint.

Getting the order of capital investment backwards

Large > medium > small > micro (cottage lowest). Read whether the question asks ascending or descending before you write.

Wrong reason for cotton mills in Mumbai

Humid climate stopped cotton thread from breaking before artificial humidifiers. "Industries need water" is true but does not explain it.

Ebooks Tutor

Geography · Textbook solutions

Secondary Economic Activities

Every textbook question in book order, plus the board's past questions. · 37 questions

Chapter activities

15 q

Try this / Make friends with maps! / Use your brain power!

Practice · 15

Read the following situations and answer. 1) Look at the map of Solapur district in fig. 5.2. It shows the location of some sugar industries. Shamrao is a farmer at location A. He has just harvested his sugarcane crop. 2) Firoz's son has done an advanced course in Bakery Management from the nearby city. Firoz wants his son to start a bakery in their village but his son says it should be in the city, which is around 20 kms from their village. 3) Shantaram is a young boy from a tribal area in Maharashtra. He wants to start a honey processing unit as he has access to good honeycombs in the forest. The city is around 35 kms away. He has his own land in the village and is also getting land in the city.
Act p01 Scen(1) $Study the map and tell where should Shamrao send his crop? What factors will Shamrao consider for this?$
Act p01 Scen(2) $Who is correct, Firoz or his son? Why?$
Act p01 Scen(3) $Where should Shantaram establish the honey factory, in the village or in the city? Why?$
Act p03 CYT $Find examples of market-oriented industries.$
Act p05 Footloose $Following is a list of a few industries. Think about the factors of location of these industries and tell whether they are footloose industries or not. Complete the table accordingly. 1) Cotton textile industries 2) Cement industries 3) Diamond cutting industries 4) Mobile manufacturing units 5) Paper industry 6) Sugar industry 7) Food processing industry 8) IT (Hardware) industry 9) Oil refinery 10) Hairpins industry Name of Industry Raw materials required Finished products Factor affecting location ......... ......... ......... .........$
Study the given map in fig. 5.3 and answer the questions that follow.
Act p05 F5.3(1) $In which hemisphere do you find more concentration of industries?$
Act p05 F5.3(2) $In which part of North America has the industrial region been mainly developed?$
Act p05 F5.3(3) $In which parts of Europe is concentration of industries mainly found?$
Act p05 F5.3(4) $Why is less industrial development found in the other parts of African continent except coastal areas?$
Act p05 F5.3(5) $In which part of India do you find concentration of industries?$
Act p05 F5.3(6) $Why do you think coastal areas have higher concentration of industries?$
Act p05 F5.3(7) $Write a concluding paragraph on latitudinal distribution of industries in the world.$
Act p09 UBP(1) $Refer to the lumbering map of the world in fig. 4.1 and to fig. 5.3, and tell which industries will be located in the northernmost island of Japan.$
Act p09 UBP(2) $How have the Great Lakes been instrumental in development of industrial region in the USA?$
Act p09 UBP(3) $How has the Trans-Siberian Railway contributed to development of industries in Russia?$

Name of Industry	Raw materials required	Finished products	Factor affecting location
.........	.........	.........	.........

Exercise

22 q

Ex Q1

Complete the chain. A B C 1) Small-scale industries 1) Manual manufacturing 1) Ceramics 2) Cottage industries 2) Skilled crafts person 2) Tata Iron and Steel company 3) Consumer goods 3) Individual ownership 3) Potters 4) Private sector 4) Ready for direct consumption 4) Pharmaceutical

Identify the correct correlation : A : Assertion; R : Reasoning
Ex Q2(1) $A : The humid climate of Mumbai offered great scope for the development of cotton textile industries. R : Industries require ample amount of water.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Ex Q2(2) $A : In India, industries are found concentrated in few areas are available. R : India is predominantly agrarian country.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Give geographical reasons :
Ex Q3(1) $Distribution of industries is uneven.$
Ex Q3(2) $Iron and steel industries are found in mineral rich area of Dhanbad.$
Ex Q3(3) $Fruit-processing industries are found in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Konkan region.$
Ex Q3(4) $Industrial growth in southern America is limited.$
Short notes :
Ex Q4(1) $Footloose industries.$
Ex Q4(2) $Public sector industries.$
Ex Q4(3) $Economies of scale.$
Ex Q4(4) $Role of transportation in industries.$
Differentiate between :
Ex Q5(1) $Weight-losing and Weight-gaining industries.$
Ex Q5(2) $Primary and Secondary activities.$
Ex Q5(3) $Basic industries and Consumer industries.$
Answer the following :
Ex Q6(1) $Explain the physical factors affecting location of industries.$
Ex Q6(2) $Explain the factors affecting location of sugar industries.$
Ex Q6(3) $Describe the factors that are responsible for less developement of industries in central Australia.$
Show the following on a map of the world with suitable index :
Ex Q7(1) $Ruhr industrial region$
Ex Q7(2) $An industrial region in Japan$
Ex Q7(3) $An industrial region in South Africa$
Ex Q7(4) $An industrial region in Australia$
Ex Q7(5) $Industrial region near Great Lakes$

A	B	C
1) Small-scale industries	1) Manual manufacturing	1) Ceramics
2) Cottage industries	2) Skilled crafts person	2) Tata Iron and Steel company
3) Consumer goods	3) Individual ownership	3) Potters
4) Private sector	4) Ready for direct consumption	4) Pharmaceutical

What the board has asked from this chapter

Questions per paper · 3 papers · 2024 to 2026

June 2026

9 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

S.No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Migration	(a) Meat Processing	(h) Cottage Industry
(2)	Urban problem	(b) Communication	(i) Milk processing
(3)	Pastoral based industries	(c) Pulp processing	(j) Transportation
(4)	Tertiary economic activity	(d) Increase in slums	(k) Climatology
(5)	Physical Geography	(e) Geomorphology	(l) Forced
		(f) Voluntary	(m) Crime

Q1(A)(3)

Pastoral based industries

Classification of Industries

Choose the correct option by identifying the correct co-relation between Assertion and Reason. A : Assertion R : Reason
Q1(B)(3) $A : The humid climate of Mumbai is suitable for the development of cotton textile industries. R : Cement industries are found in large scale at Mumbai.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Physical Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Do as directed :
Q1(C)(3) $Arrange the industries in descending order according to the high capital investment - (a) Carpentry (b) Iron and steel industry (c) Toy making industry (d) Milk processing industry$
Classification of Industries
State whether the following statements are True or False :
Q1(D)(3) $Sugar industries are located near raw material producing area.$
Physical Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Distribution of industries is uneven in the world.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(4) $Heavy industries and Light industries$
Classification of Industries
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(5) $Perth - an industrial region.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Write short notes on (Any THREE) :
Q5(2) $Classification of industries based on ownership.$
Classification of Industries
Draw neat, labelled diagrams (Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(2) $Classification of industries based on output.$
Classification of Industries

March 2026

7 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Making maps	(a) Delhi	(l) Niger
(2)	Administrative cities	(b) Pampas	(m) Small-Scale Industry
(3)	Grass-Land Region	(c) Observation	(n) Skills of Geographer
(4)	Toys	(d) Bangladesh	(o) New York
(5)	Population Explosion	(e) Paper Industry	(p) Argentina

Q1(A)(4)

Toys

Classification of Industries

Choose the correct option and complete the sentences :
Q1(B)(5) $Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited is ______ type of establishment.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Classification of Industries
Answer the following questions as per given instructions :
Q1(C)(1) $Arrange the following industries in descending order based on capital investments - (a) Small scale industry (b) Micro scale industry (c) Large scale industry (d) Medium scale industry$
Classification of Industries
Write True or False :
Q1(D)(5) $Factors affecting industrial location are the same everywhere.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(1) $Fruit processing industries are found in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg Districts of Konkan region.$
Physical Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(5) $Any one industrial region in Japan$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Answer the following questions in detail (Any ONE) :
Q7(2) $Explain the factors affecting the location of industries.$
Physical Factors Affecting Location of Industries

June 2025

10 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in coloumn 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Ice covered region	(a) Capital of the country	(l) Harmful farming
(2)	Administrative city	(b) Artificial satellite	(m) Sparsely populated
(3)	Shifting agriculture	(c) Use of manpower	(n) Communication
(4)	Cottage industry	(d) Polar region	(o) Weavers
(5)	Global Positioning System (GPS)	(e) Small size of farm	(p) Tokyo

Q1(A)(4)

Cottage industry

Classification of Industries

Choose the correct option and complete the sentences.
Q1(B)(4) $Mineral Based Industries :$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Classification of Industries
Do as directed :
Q1(D)(5) $Arrange the following industries in ascending order on the basis of their capital investment. (a) Medium scale industries (b) Small scale industries (c) Large scale industries (d) Micro scale industries$
Classification of Industries
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(8) $Industrial Region in South Africa : Kimberley Witwatersand.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Read the following map/graphs and answer the questions given below : The map is titled 'Map Reading - World Industrial Region'. Its index carries a single symbol, Industrial Region, shown as a solid shaded patch. The shaded patches are named as follows. In North America: New England and the Mid Atlantic Region. In South America: South Brazil and Argentina. In Europe: Great Britain and France. In Asia: the Siberian Region, Chota Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Osaka-Kobe with Kyoto. In Australia and New Zealand: Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Auckland. The continent of Africa carries no shaded patch of any kind.
Q4(B)(1) $What does map indicate?$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q4(B)(2) $In which continent Perth and Sydney industrial regions are located?$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q4(B)(3) $Name the industrial regions in the U.S.A.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q4(B)(4) $Which continent has less industrial development?$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q4(B)(5) $In which country Osaka-Kobe and Kyoto industrial regions are located?$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Answer the following questions in detail (Any ONE) :
Q7(2) $Explain in detail the classification of industries based on the source of raw material.$
Classification of Industries

March 2025

8 q

Complete the chain and rewrite in your answer paper :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Amazon River basin	(1) Manufacturing Activities	(1) Tata Iron and Steel Industries.
(2)	Constrictive Pyramid	(2) Commercial cattle rearing	(2) Low population density.
(3)	Industrial Region	(3) Individual	(3) Low birth rate and least death rate.
(4)	Pampas Grassland	(4) Dense equatorial Forest	(4) South America
(5)	Private	(5) More old age Population	(5) Availability of Employment

Q1(A)(3)

Industrial Region

Major Industrial Regions of the World

Q1(A)(5) $Private$
Classification of Industries
Do as directed: Choose the correct option and write.
Q1(B)(3) $In USA, industrial areas are found in North-Eastern region.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Identify the correct co-relation in the given statements and write : A : Assertion R : Reasoning
Q1(C)(2) $A : In India, industrial areas are found concentrated in few regions. R : India is agricultural country.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Identify the incorrect factor and write it :
Q1(D)(3) $Footloose industries : (a) Cement industries (b) Clock making industries (c) Diamond cutting industries (d) Hairpin making industries$
Economic and Other Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(3) $Distribution of industries is uneven.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q2(4) $Industrial development is not found in Central Australia.$
Physical Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(2) $Public sector industry and Private industry.$
Classification of Industries

June 2024

9 q

Complete the chain according to the co-relation of factors in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Consumer goods	(a) Physical geography	(h) Commercial area
(2)	Geography	(b) International	(i) Climatology
(3)	Migration	(c) Industrial area	(j) Pharmaceuticals
(4)	Formal region	(d) Distinct boundaries	(k) India to Australia
(5)	Urban land use	(e) Ready for direct consumption	(l) State
		(f) Current fallow	(m) Automobiles

Q1(A)(1)

Consumer goods

Classification of Industries

Choose the correct option by identifying the correct co-relation between the assertion and reason : (A : Assertion R : Reason)
Q1(B)(3) $A : Diversity is found in industrial production in India. R : India is predominantly agrarian country.$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Identify and write the incorrect factor :
Q1(C)(3) $Industries based on ownership : (a) Ancillary sector (b) Public sector (c) Private sector (d) Co-operative sector$
Classification of Industries
Identify whether the following statements are true or false :
Q1(D)(3) $Bakery industries are not located near the markets.$
Economic and Other Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Industrial growth is limited in South America.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Distinguish between (Any THREE) :
Q3(4) $Large-scale industries and Cottage industries.$
Classification of Industries
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(5) $Major industrial country in Northern part of South America.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Write short notes on (Any THREE) :
Q5(2) $Classification of industries based on the source of raw materials.$
Classification of Industries
Draw neat and labelled diagrams (Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(3) $Classification of industries on the basis of capital investment.$
Classification of Industries

March 2024

12 q

Complete the chain and rewrite in your answer paper :

No.	'A'	'B'	'C'
(1)	Consumer goods	(e) Atlantic ocean	(m) Pharmaceutical product
(2)	Panama canal	(f) Fertile region	(n) Ecological balance
(3)	Plain	(g) Ready for direct consumption	(o) Development of Agriculture
(4)	Food chain	(h) Short term	(p) Pacific ocean
(5)	Migration	(i) Ecosystem	(r) Arabian sea
		(j) Indian ocean	(s) Long term

Q1(A)(1)

Consumer goods

Classification of Industries

Write True or False :
Q1(B)(3) $Iron and steel industry depends on minerals.$
Classification of Industries
Choose the correct option and complete the sentences :
Q1(C)(3) $Identify the agro-based industries :$
Tap an option to check your answer.
Classification of Industries
Identify incorrect factor :
Q1(D)(2) $Mineral based industries : (a) Petrochemicals (b) Iron and steel industry (c) Woollen textile industry (d) Aluminium industry$
Classification of Industries
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $There are many factors which have hindered the growth of industries in South America.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(4) $An industrial region in South Africa - Kimberley.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Q4(A)(5) $Industrial region near Great Lakes.$
Major Industrial Regions of the World
Write short notes on the following (Any THREE) :
Q5(2) $Foot loose industries$
Economic and Other Factors Affecting Location of Industries
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below : Economic motivation is universally and easily available nowadays. It can be given in all sectors. In production sectors more than one such stimulators are used to increase production. Workers and capitalists should work more enthusiastically to increase the production. For that incentive is very useful for such purpose. Desire of power, fame, honest intention of serving, patriotism, such encouragements also motivate human beings to work. These all sources of motivation are mixed more or less in ethical standards of work. Economic motivation is very important motivation. There can be various types of economic motivations. Bonus is given to the workers for the task which is done before deadlines. Sample tasks are considered in the context of the task. Extra allowances or remuneration is given if the production is more than expected and quality is also maintained. This is done so that dissatisfaction does not arise among workers. Such efforts are constantly needed to increase production. The workers can work enthusiastically if the special allowances or incentives are offered. Promotion in job is offerred as an encouragement to do good work is also a kind of economic incentive which is commonly used.
Q6(A)(1) $What is meant by economic motivation?$
Nature of Secondary Economic Activities
Q6(A)(2) $What is the purpose of increasing the production for capitalists?$
Nature of Secondary Economic Activities
Q6(A)(3) $Why special remuneration (bonus) is given?$
Nature of Secondary Economic Activities
Q6(A)(4) $Compare the skilled and unskilled workers in the secondary economic activity.$
Nature of Secondary Economic Activities

The 10 board questions to practise first

The questions and kinds of question the board asked most often come first. Each one says how often and when.

Question 1
This type asked 5 times: Mar 2024, Jun 2024, Jun 2025, Mar 2026, Jun 2026. This one: Jun 2026 See all 5 of this type
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(5) $Perth - an industrial region.$
Question 2
This type asked 3 times: Jun 2024, Jun 2025, Jun 2026. This one: Jun 2026 See all 3 of this type
Draw neat, labelled diagrams (Any TWO) :
Q6(B)(2) $Classification of industries based on output.$
Question 3
This type asked 3 times: Jun 2024, Mar 2025, Jun 2026. This one: Jun 2026 See all 3 of this type
Differentiate between (Any THREE) :
Q3(4) $Heavy industries and Light industries$
Question 4
This type asked 3 times: Jun 2025, Mar 2026, Jun 2026. This one: Jun 2026 See all 3 of this type
Do as directed :
Q1(C)(3) $Arrange the industries in descending order according to the high capital investment - (a) Carpentry (b) Iron and steel industry (c) Toy making industry (d) Milk processing industry$
Question 5
Asked 2 times: Mar 2025, Jun 2026 See all 2 times it was asked
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Distribution of industries is uneven in the world.$
Question 6
Asked 2 times: Jun 2025*, Mar 2026 (* = numbers or wording changed that year) See all 2 times it was asked
Answer the following questions as per given instructions :
Q1(C)(1) $Arrange the following industries in descending order based on capital investments - (a) Small scale industry (b) Micro scale industry (c) Large scale industry (d) Medium scale industry$
Question 7
Asked 2 times: Mar 2024, Jun 2025 See all 2 times it was asked
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(8) $Industrial Region in South Africa : Kimberley Witwatersand.$
Question 8
Asked 2 times: Mar 2024, Jun 2024 See all 2 times it was asked
Give geographical reasons (Any FOUR) :
Q2(4) $Industrial growth is limited in South America.$
Question 9
Asked once: Mar 2026 (same type asked 5 times) See all 5 of this type
Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index (Any SIX) :
Q4(A)(5) $Any one industrial region in Japan$
Question 10
Asked once: Jun 2026 (same type asked 3 times) See all 3 of this type
Write short notes on (Any THREE) :
Q5(2) $Classification of industries based on ownership.$

Quick revision

8 most-asked questions · 13 key points · 8 derivations · 2 diagrams

Checked against Balbharati Geography Std XII (Maharashtra State Board), Chapter 5.

Most asked in board papers

1
Major industrial regions of the world: name and locate them (USA, Great Lakes, Japan, South Africa, Australia)
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
2
Factors affecting location of industries, with reasons (sugar, bakery, fruit processing, iron and steel) and footloose industries
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
3
Classification by capital investment: arrange by investment, cottage and large-scale industries
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
4
Classification by source of raw material: agro, mineral, pastoral-based
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
5
Give reasons: distribution of industries is uneven (India's industries concentrated in a few regions)
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
6
Classification by ownership: public, private, joint, co-operative sectors
Asked 3 times: 2026, 2025, 2024
7
Classification by nature of output: heavy and light industries, consumer goods
Asked 2 times: 2026, 2024
8
Give reasons: limited industrial growth in South America and central Australia
Asked 2 times: 2025, 2024

Must-know points

Secondary activities: Secondary activities add value to natural resources by transforming raw materials (the products of primary activities) into valuable products. They include manufacturing, processing and construction (infrastructure) industries. The place where this conversion takes place is called a factory.
Weight-losing and weight-gaining industries: Weight-losing: raw materials are bulky but the product is lighter (sugar from sugarcane), so they are located near the raw material. Weight-gaining: raw materials are lighter but the product is heavier and bulky (cake from a bakery), so they are located near the market.
Economic distance: The cost of transportation and the time required to carry goods. Low cost of transportation is the key factor in the location of industries; it is high for heavy, bulky, perishable raw materials and long distances.
Footloose industries: A footloose industry does not have a strong locational preference, because its resources, production skills and consumers can be found in numerous places, so it may relocate anytime. Inputs and output are lightweight: low volume, high value. Examples: watch-making, diamond cutting, hairpins, honey processing.
Economies of scale (agglomeration): Available facilities attract industries to a region, and with time the region attracts more, so industries concentrate (agglomerate) there. Mutually complementary industries grow together: iron and steel brings utensils, automobile parts, locomotives. New industries earn more profit for low investment.
Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Specially earmarked geographical zones developed for industrial production by the private sector, the public sector or a public-private partnership (PPP), mainly to boost export-quality production. Example: SEEPZ near Santa Cruz.
Industrial region: Pockets with a high concentration of industries due to favourable geo-economic conditions, where manufacturing employs a large share of the working population. Features: agglomeration of industries, dense population and large labour force, large banking and credit facilities, a large transport network, excellent communication.
Uneven distribution of industries: Industries are unevenly distributed because the factors affecting industrial location are not the same everywhere. They concentrate in a few pockets with favourable factors, mostly in the Northern Hemisphere and along coasts.
Classification by source of raw material: Agro-based (sugar, cotton textiles, food processing), marine-based (fish oil, sea-shell objects), forest-based (paper, timber, resins, gums, turpentine), mineral-based (petrochemicals, iron and steel, aluminium), pastoral-based (hide, bone, horn, leather shoes, dairy, wool, silk).
Classification by capital investment: Large-scale: over ₹10 crore (iron and steel, power, cotton textiles). In plant and machinery, medium: over ₹5 crore up to ₹10 crore (cycle, TV, radio); small: over ₹25 lakh up to ₹5 crore (bottles, toys, papers); micro: up to ₹25 lakh (pens, dairy products).
Cottage or household industry: The most basic type of manufacturing: manual production using locally available raw materials at a very small scale or at home, for local markets. Little capital and transport cost; needs good skills. Potters, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters. Some products are exported: Paithani sarees, Indian quilts.
Classification by nature of output: Basic or heavy: produce material used by other industries (iron and steel). Consumer goods or light: goods ready for direct consumption (watches, electronics, textile mills, pharmaceuticals). Ancillary: parts and components for heavy articles like trucks and tractors (nails, tyres, iron sheets).
Classification by ownership: Public sector: owned by the State (BHEL). Private sector: owned by an individual or partners (TISCO). Joint sector: government and individuals together (MNGL). Co-operative: members pool resources and share profit and loss (AMUL). MNCs: operations in more than one country (Hindustan Lever, ONGC).

Derivations

Try each one first, then open its outline.

Explain the factors affecting the location of industries

Physical: climate (harsh climate hinders; humid coast suited cotton thread), raw material (perishable, bulky ones near source), water and power (coal-based near mines).
Physical: labour (skilled or semi-skilled, labour colonies near large industries), transportation (low economic distance), site (flat land, now rural areas like Chakan, Lote Parshuram).
Economic: proximity to market (perishable, heavy or bulky products) and capital (banking and finance, as in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi).
Political: government policies (incentives, subsidised land and water, tax concessions in backward regions) and SEZs.
Other: split location (parts made in different places and assembled at one) and economies of scale or agglomeration.

Give reasons: sugar mills are near the raw material, bakeries near the market

Sugarcane loses weight and sugar content as time after harvest increases, so it must reach a nearby factory fast: sugar is weight-losing and located near the cane fields.
A cake is heavier than its raw materials, and transport cost rises with weight, so a bakery (weight-gaining) is located near the market, in cities.

Give reasons: fruit processing in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg; iron and steel near Dhanbad

Fruits are perishable and must be processed soon, so processing units sit where the fruit is grown (Konkan mangoes and cashew; also Mahabaleshwar, Nagpur).
Iron and steel uses heavy, bulky iron ore and coal; carrying them is costly, so the industry is located in the mineral-rich area near the mines (Dhanbad, Chhota Nagpur).

Give reasons: distribution of industries is uneven

Location factors (climate, raw material, water, power, labour, transport, market, capital, government policy) are not the same everywhere.
Industries concentrate in the few pockets where these are favourable, forming industrial regions; harsh, remote or sparsely peopled areas have few industries.

Why industrial growth is limited in central Australia and South America

Central Australia: hot, dry desert climate, scarce water, sparse population (little labour and market), poor transport and far from ports; industries lie on the coasts (eastern part, Perth).
South America: harsh interior relief, climate and dense forest, poor transport, small markets and limited capital; industry is confined to coastal regions of Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Chile.

Differentiate between large-scale and cottage industries

Large-scale: huge capital (over ₹10 crore), machinery and infrastructure; large output for wide markets; e.g. iron and steel, power, cotton textiles.
Cottage: little capital, manual production at home with local raw material by skilled craftspersons; for local markets; e.g. pottery, weaving, Paithani sarees.

Differentiate between public sector and private sector industries

Public: owned by the State; government makes all investments and markets goods through its agencies; e.g. BHEL.
Private: owned by an individual or partnership, who makes the investment and keeps the profit; e.g. TISCO.

Differentiate between heavy (basic) and light (consumer goods) industries

Heavy or basic: produce material used by other industries; large raw materials and capital; e.g. iron and steel makes steel for automobiles and machinery.
Light or consumer goods: produce goods ready for direct consumption; e.g. watches, electronic goods, textiles, pharmaceuticals.

Diagrams to practise

World map: major industrial regions (Fig. 5.3; exercise Q. 7): label Ruhr industrial region (Germany) · Japan: Tokyo-Yokohama or Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto · South Africa: Witwatersrand or Kimberley · Australia: Perth (west) or the eastern part · Industrial region near the Great Lakes (USA) · a suitable index (key)
Types of industries (Fig. 5.7): label capital investment: cottage, micro, small, medium, large · ownership: private, public, joint, co-operative, MNC · raw material: agro, pastoral, marine, mineral, forest · nature of output: basic, consumer, ancillary

Mistakes that cost marks

Putting the bakery near the raw material

Calling a heavy industry footloose

Footloose industries have light, high-value inputs and outputs: diamond cutting, watch or clock making, hairpins. Cement is not footloose; it is tied to its bulky raw material.

Mixing up the classifications

Ancillary is a type by output, not by ownership. Woollen textiles are pastoral-based, not mineral-based. BHEL is public sector, TISCO private, AMUL co-operative, MNGL joint.

Getting the order of capital investment backwards

Large > medium > small > micro (cottage lowest). Read whether the question asks ascending or descending before you write.

Wrong reason for cotton mills in Mumbai

Humid climate stopped cotton thread from breaking before artificial humidifiers. "Industries need water" is true but does not explain it.

Chapter activities

Try this / Make friends with maps! / Use your brain power!

Exercise

What the board has asked from this chapter

June 2026

March 2026

June 2025

March 2025

June 2024

March 2024

The 10 board questions to practise first

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Most asked in board papers

Must-know points

Derivations

Diagrams to practise

Mistakes that cost marks

Chapter activities

Try this / Make friends with maps! / Use your brain power!

Exercise

What the board has asked from this chapter

June 2026

March 2026

June 2025

March 2025

June 2024

March 2024

The 10 board questions to practise first

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Most asked in board papers

Must-know points

Derivations

Diagrams to practise

Mistakes that cost marks