Primary and Secondary Economic Activities Explained

Agricultural Landscape Features

Agricultural practices change the landscape to obtain products from nature. This has evolved to increase the utilization of the area, cropping systems, and support the population.

Agricultural Plots

A plot is a division of a single farm, a single piece of land dedicated to cultivation. Plots differ in shape, and their limits can be distinguished.

Types of Plots:

• Open Fields: Open plots without fences, typically small in area and with regular shapes.
• Enclosed Fields (Closos): Large and irregular parcels enclosed with walls or fences.

Market Agriculture

Market agriculture aims to increase sales and reduce costs through several strategies:

• Mechanization: Mechanizing field work saves labor, increases production, and reduces the prices of agricultural products.
• Specialization: Specialization of agricultural production leads to increased output, higher quantity, and better marketing opportunities.
• Rapid Commercialization: This involves streamlining marketing processes and using transportation methods appropriate for the specific product type.

Fisheries

Fisheries represent an activity based on the utilization of animal resources offered by the sea. There are two main types:

• Traditional or Artisanal Fishing: This type of fishing occurs near the coast and relies on human strength and simple fishing gear.
• Industrial Fishing: Aims for large catches and requires significant financial resources, advanced technology, and port infrastructure.

Fishing Practices by Location:

• Coastal Fishing: Uses small ships equipped with powerful nets and lines.
• Offshore Fishing (D'altura): Carried out by fleets of large, well-equipped ships that can remain at sea for weeks or months.
• Large-Scale Fishing: Involves large fishing units, often including factory ships with extensive processing and supply capabilities for long-distance operations.

Main Fishing Areas

The primary fishing areas are typically found in:

• Areas where the continental shelf is wide.
• Zones where warm and cold ocean currents meet.
• Coastal areas near upwelling zones where cold, nutrient-rich currents pass.

Industrial Goods Production

This involves the transformation of raw materials into finished products. Example: The extractive industry mines iron ore, and the steel industry processes it to produce items such as rods.

Industrial Enterprise Classification

Industrial enterprises can be classified based on several criteria:

Classification by Size:

• Small businesses
• Medium-sized enterprises
• Large enterprises

Classification by Organization:

• Limited Partnership
• Corporations

Classification by Origin of Capital:

• Public (state-owned)
• Private

Elements of the Industrial Process

The key elements involved in the industrial process include:

• Raw materials and energy sources
• The labor force
• Capital
• Technology
• The organization of the enterprise