Global Transport, Trade, and Services: Key Insights

Characteristics of Global Transport Distribution

The global distribution of transport is characterized by significant contrasts:

• Poor countries often have underdeveloped road and railway networks.
• Rich countries, in contrast, possess well-developed road and railway infrastructure.
• Most major ports are concentrated in key economic centers, connecting these centers with each other and with raw material-producing countries.

Key Features of Spain's Service Sector

• Contributes 68% of the GDP.
• Employs 65% of the active population.
• By region, Madrid has the highest concentration of services, followed by Catalonia, Andalusia, and Valencia.

Financial Services in Spain

• Highly competitive sector.
• The National Bank handles the majority of business.
• Four stock exchanges: Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Valencia.

Three Main Maritime Routes

• North Atlantic
• Indian-Mediterranean
• Pacific

Eight Types of Services

1. Business Services
2. Financial Services
3. Transport Services
4. Tourism-Related Services
5. Communication and Information Services
6. Company Services
7. Administration Services
8. Social and Personal Services

Types of Tourism

• Cars
• Desolate Beach
• Mountain Adventure
• Rural
• Cultural
• Religious
• Health
• Gourmet
• Shopping
• Business

Factors Influencing Trade

1. Development of transport and infrastructure.
2. Size of the consumer market.
3. Wealth of the population.

Consequences of Globalization

Positive:

• Significant increase in information flow.
• Instant communication across long distances.
• Increased globalization and outsourcing.

Negative:

• Widened the gap between technologically advanced developing countries and developed countries.

Challenges Facing the Service Sector

1. Offset job losses due to relocation.
2. Increase productivity.
3. Address the technological lag in some countries.
4. Develop common policies across service sectors.

Tourist Areas in the Canary Islands

1. Urban Tourism (e.g., Las Palmas)
2. Towns with Tourist Attractions (e.g., Bajamar, Agaete)
3. Tourist Areas (e.g., Maspalomas, Puerto del Carmen)
4. Residential Developments Associated with Foreigners

Causes of Basic Trade in the Canary Islands

1. The division of the island market.
2. The local market's inability to supply the entire population, necessitating imported products.
3. The strategic location of the Canary Islands between Africa, Europe, and America.
4. The importance of tourism, leading to increased demand for products.