Question

Explain any four factors influencing the location of industries.

Answer 1

Manufacturing is a secondary process of transforming raw materials into finished products.The manufactured goods are more useful and valuable than the raw materials.

The location of manufacturing industries depends on a number of physical and socio economic factors.

1.NEARNESS TO THE SOURCE OF RAW MATERIAL: Large quantities of raw materials are needed for industries. Therefore industries are located near the source of raw materials. It saves the cost of transportation.Steel centres are developed where coal and iron are easily available. Jute mills in West Bengal and the cotton textile mills in Maharashtra are located due to the availability of raw materials.

2.POWER RESOURCES: Coal, oil and water power are the main sources of power. Most of the industries are located near coal fields. Aluminium industries and paper industries are located near hydroelectric stations.

3.MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION: Modern Industries need cheap, developed and quick means of transportation. Cheap means of transportation are required for the movement of workers, raw materials and machinery to the factories.

4.CLIMATE: Stimulating climate increase the efficiency of the labourers. The cotton textile industry required humid climate. The film industry needs good weather with clear blue skies. Similarly the aircraft industry also needs clear weather.

5.SKILLED LABOUR: cheap and Skilled labour is essential for the location of industries. Glass industry at Firozabad and the sports goods industry in Jalandhar are located due to the availability of Skilled labour.