ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
FALL 2002
SECOND EXAM

Part A:  Geographical Significance(20 pts possible) Select one of the following.  Identify the item briefly, describe the geographical process it exemplifies (how occur?why there?).  To conclude list other examples of the same process.

                VELLA FARMS                                                    PORT OF OAKLAND

                HIGHWAY 132                                                     BART                

                BRENDEN THEATER                                           TRACY

                

Part B: Mapping (10 pts possible) Select one of the following sets of maps.  Identify the pattern on each map, describing the high and low statistics and their locations.  Then, clearly state the correlation between these maps, and explain the possible cause for this pattern.

1) page 254; U.S. Agricultural Regions and page 284; Home Prices in 1997

OR

2) page 290; Growth of U.S. Suburban Regions and page 333; Banking Linkages of Third Order Cities

 

Part C: Essay (70 pts)  Pick one of the following.  Answer should be 2 pages single-spaced.

1. How does transport effect economic development? Describe and demonstrate how the mode of transport effects production costs, labor mobility and urbanization. What can governments do to stimulate greater personal mobility and market demand?

2. What effect does the market have upon the location of economic activities? Describe and demonstrate Christaller's Central Place Theory and Von Thunen's Agricultural Location Theory. Discuss how market demand (pop clusters and income) determines crop production and business location.

3. How does transportion and communication technology effect urban development? Discuss the impact of urban sprawl upon market area, labor mobility, agricultural production and industrial location in the United States. Would limiting urban sprawl stimulate greater economic growth, why or why not?

4.  If you were a starting your own business how would use your knowledge of geography to find the perfect location?  Identify the product or service you would provide.  Describe and demonstrate the market area, threshold, economic rent and location rent necessary for your success. Be sure to address how transportation may affect your market area.