Preface. Yu.N

Yu.N. Gladky - Economic and social geography foreign countries

HIGHER PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Yu.N. GLADKY, V.D.SUKHORUKOV
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
GEOGRAPHY OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Textbook

Recommended
Educational and methodological association in teacher education specialties
as a textbook for students
higher educational institutions, students
majoring in Geography
ASABEM"A
Moscow
Publishing center"Academy" 2008

G522

Reviewers:
doctor geographical sciences, Professor V. M. Razumovsky (St. Petersburg State University economics and finance);
Candidate of Geographical Sciences N. N. Rogoten
(Department of Economic and Social Geography
Moscow Pedagogical State University)
Gladky Yu. N.
G522 Economic and social geography foreign countries: a textbook for students. higher ped. textbook institutions / Yu. N. Gladkiy, V. D. Sukhorukoe. - M.: Publishing center "Academy", 2008. - 464 p.
IЗВN 978-5-7695-4195-7
The textbook covers the principles and methods of regionalization of the modern socio-economic space, provides overview and detailed characteristics of the main regions and countries of the foreign world.
For students of higher pedagogical educational institutions.
UDC 911.63 (075.8) BBK 65.04ya73

Original layout this edition is the property
Publishing center "Academy", and its reproduction in any way
without the consent of the copyright holder it is prohibited
© Gladky Yu.N., Sukhorukoe V.D., 2008 © Educational and Publishing Center "Academy". 2008 978-5-7695-4195-7 © Design. Publishing center "Academy", 2008

Preface

This textbook is a logical continuation of the previously published textbook “General Economic and Social Geography of the World” (M.: IC “Academy”, 2006). It is devoted to the characteristics of the largest cultural and historical regions of the world and individual states.
Famous Russian luminary human geography N.N. Baransky (1881 -1963) noted that the regional part this course in geography textbooks, as well as in scientific regional studies monographs, should occupy at least 70% of the total volume. Of course, such a proportion is rarely observed, especially if we take into account the rapid diversification of social geography and the emergence of more and more “fashionable” trends in it. Nevertheless, the main taxonomic unit in human geography is still the country (state), and in this regard, regionalism in geography should be expressed as clearly as possible.
An independent problem is the very content of regional geography. During the Soviet years, the so-called regional studies essentially turned into economic geography, or more precisely, into the geography of material production. Characteristics completed at that time individual regions(including allied and autonomous republics) abused economic-geographical plots.
The absurdity of such “structuring” of courses regional geography It became especially obvious in the post-industrial era, when in the advanced countries of the world the overwhelming majority of gross domestic product (GDP) began to be created in the service sector.
It became finally clear that showing the diversity of the geography of cultures and peoples should no longer and cannot be replaced by the presentation of “dry” production schemes (inter-industry connections, energy production cycles, territorial production complexes, etc.). In other words, a change in the ratio of the scales of the characteristics of the world occurs in favor of political, social, cultural and ecological geography(with the preservation, of course, of economic and geographical subjects).
Another “pain point” of regional geography is the contradiction between the principle of comprehensive analysis of the country (regional

On) and the meaning of the analyzed elements, on the one hand, and the limited scope of any textbook, on the other.
The authors of this textbook proceed from the fact that complexity should not turn into an encyclopedic, element-by-element characteristic of the state. For example, a “bakery plant” or a “dairy plant” can be found in any city, and it is not at all necessary to always reflect these artifacts when characterizing states and regions.
The main thing is to show the characteristics of territories that are stable over time, their uniqueness, and to form in the reader an idea of the world through the prism of the individuality of the regions that make up it.

There is no need for any other universal postulates other than the universal law of geography, which states that all regions are unique.
R. Hartshorne (England)

Introduction
Main question, preceding any regional work: which regions should be taken as a basis? In the human geography of the world, the easiest and simplest solution is to adhere to the established political boundaries. In this case, it would be necessary to separately analyze about 200 states - self-governing, self-proclaimed (unrecognized) and non-self-governing (colonies, dominions, protectorates, trust territories, condominiums, overseas departments, associated states, etc.).
However, this path would inevitably lead to an “accounting” description of many territories, indicating countless details and nuances that are impossible to remember, systematize and generalize.
The most suitable basis for the “non-violent” division of the world is not only states, but also historical-cultural (cultural-historical) regions, which are more or less integral geographical worlds. Of course, their integrity is relative, especially since within some of them conflicts that are not bloodless periodically flare up, calling into question their unity. However, the reality of such regions is indisputable.
Anyway we're talking about about regional studies - geographical discipline, engaged in a comprehensive study of countries (including their totality), systematizing and generalizing heterogeneous data about their nature, population, economy, culture and social organization.
Comparison of regional studies with a “dome” over all geography (N.N. Baransky, 1933) reflects its functions of synthesis (“secondary synthesis” according to S.V. Kalesnik) of particular geographical characteristics specific country. This circumstance, on the one hand, has gained recognition of the important “mission” of geography in creating vivid and deep regional studies images*, on the other hand, it often causes attacks on regional studies due to the fact that it,

* In this regard, it is enough to recall the outstanding series: “Russia. A complete description of our fatherland” by P.P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, “New World Geography” and “Earth and People”, ed. E. Reclus et al.

Katya is gradually “obsolete”, since the function of describing the territory has long ago exhausted itself.
It is significant that the “arrows of criticism” spare regional geography. “It is undoubtedly more difficult for opponents of regional studies to fight it, because if we exclude it from the sphere big science, then all geography will sharply narrow the field of its activity and will clearly limp in moving towards main goal- scientific understanding of the face of the Earth as a territorially differentiated whole” (V. A. Pulyarkin, 1998). But given the fact that the concepts of “area studies” and “regional geography” lie on the same systematic and logical plane, attempts to discredit them are unlikely to bring success to anyone.
Of course, regional studies does not pretend to be a “special science”, but is only “a form of combining heterogeneous knowledge about a particular country” (N.N. Baransky, 1946). This often-criticized statement by an authoritative scientist (whom it is difficult to suspect of lacking “geographical patriotism”) can be understood in such a way that one should not exaggerate scientific potential complex regional studies - a typical educational and cognitive branch of knowledge, intended not only for geographers. “External consumers of regional studies products are so diverse that it is difficult to formulate a single social order, based on the fulfillment of which regional studies could uniquely develop” (V.A. Pulyarkin, 1998). New ideas are “accumulated” mainly in private branches of geographical science, and the “dome” of geography is usually “assembled” from ready-made structural forms.
At the same time, N. N. Baransky’s statement should not be regarded as a complete denial scientific principles in regional studies. Take, for example, the so-called problematic regional studies, which can be considered as a kind of counterbalance to educational-cognitive, “elementary” regional studies. The essence of the concept of such regional studies is to move away from the all-encompassing characteristics of territories divided into separate subjects according to a strictly defined scheme, and the key problems of the territory in this case become “resource availability, the nature of the use of the territory, environmental management, “quantity” and “quality” of the population, specialization and combinations various structures economy (with an emphasis on territorial structure), infrastructure equipment of the territory, territorial organization society, development and the role of districts" (Ya. G. Mashbits, 1998). Problems that have scientific content can, to a first approximation, be combined into three large groups:
1) problems that are universal in nature and inherent in almost all countries of the world;

2) problems of primary interest to the country have been identified
new type ( the developed countries with traditional market economy
hey, new ones industrial countries, states in transition
economics, developing countries etc.);
3) problems are unique or individual, characteristic
rather for specific territories than states (Ya. G. Mash
Bitz, 1998).
Agreeing with these programmatic thoughts of a prominent Russian geographer regarding the content of problematic complex regional studies, we note the apparent lack of attention to key issues physical-geographical regional studies - in particular, to the patterns of physical-geographical differentiation, the identification of regional geosystems taking into account zonal and azonal factors, etc.
How should a country be characterized in a comprehensive regional analysis? In "Geographical encyclopedic dictionary"(1988) given rough plan complex regional characteristics: geographical position, configuration of the territory, relief, climate, water, soil, vegetation and animal world, mineral and other resources, population and economy, their territorial organization and internal differentiation.
The scheme of an enlarged “large-block” characteristic of a country (as a state unit) traditionally includes the following main positions:
1) originality (generalized and concentrated characteristic of an object, which can serve as a unique visit
card);
2) territory, geographical and geopolitical situation
(with an analysis of the role of the territory as a “theater of human activity”);

3) historical and geographical stages of development (it appears
peculiar " genetic code"territories, "connecting thread
times");
4) nature and environmental management (a laconic statement of the role
natural environment in the life of the population, characterization of the degree
“comfort” of the living environment);

5) population and culture (“the core of complex regional geographic characteristics, their core”);
6) economy (with an emphasis not on technological and organizational-managerial structures, but on specialization, level
development and forms of placement);
7) resettlement (creating the idea of a kind of “support
"nom frame" of the territory);
8) society (we are talking about reflecting the specific features of the social way of life, the political stratification of the population);

"images" of composite
9) regions (creating memorable parts of the country);
10) state of the natural environment (analysis of geo-ecological situations);
11) prospects (forecast of trends in the development of the territory)
Of course, such a scheme is just a methodological “guideline” that does not take into account the uniqueness of the region, its distinctive qualities making it truly unique

The textbook covers the principles and methods of regionalization of the modern socio-economic space, provides overview and detailed characteristics of the main regions and countries of the foreign world.
For students of higher pedagogical educational institutions.

Regions: concept, types, hierarchy.
Region or district? The traditional use of these two related terms in Russian has a complicated history. At the same time, the attempts made to displace the term “region” as a foreign language turned out to be as unsuccessful as they were unjustified. Firstly, the seemingly Russian term “district” is actually of foreign origin. We especially use it in French and Spanish. Secondly, over many decades of use* each of the terms has acquired its own irreducible specificity (although elements of generality still prevail, which allows them to often be used as synonyms). A more universal and, accordingly, less strict term is “district”, the range of meanings of which varies very widely: from the expression “European district” to such phrases as “district vegetable base”, “district clinic”, “ district library" etc. Characteristic attribute Many of its meanings are tied to the political and administrative division of Russia, where it performs “monopoly” functions.

The term “region” in Russian is used to designate fairly large physical-geographical, economic-geographical, geopolitical and other territorial taxa and is unthinkable in such expressions as, for example, a regional vegetable base. Of course, in some cases regions can even unite several grassroots administrative districts, however, this is rather an exception to general rule. In accordance with the ingrained last years tradition, the minimum administrative-territorial area, called a region, is the subject Russian Federation.

Table of contents
Preface 3
Introduction 5
Chapter 1. Fundamentals of world regionalization 9
1.1. Regions: concept, types, hierarchy 9
1.2. Regionalization in human geography 15
Chapter 2. Western Europe: "cradle" industrial revolution V beginning of XXI at 26
2.1. Western Europe as a cultural and historical region 26
2.2. Western Europe: countries and regions 56
2.2.1. Germany 71
2.2.2. UK 84
2.2.3. France 95
2.2.4. Italy software
2.2.5. Second-tier countries 124
2.2.6. Microstates of Europe 141
2.2.7. Eastern Europe- “artificial” region? 152
Chapter 3. Post-Soviet region (without the Baltic countries): formational transformations 165
3.1. Russian Federation 165
3.2. Western “facade”: Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova 183
3.3. Transcaucasian countries 191
3.4. Countries Central Asia 199
Chapter 4. East Asia: the center of global economic power in the 21st century? 215
4.1. general characteristics region 215
4.1.1. Chinese People's Republic 230
4.1.2. Japan 250
Chapter 5. South Asia: in the grip of the baby boom 273
5.1. General characteristics of the region 273
5.1.1. India 281
Chapter 6. Southeast Asia: between two giants 301
6.1. General characteristics of the region 301
6.1.1. Republic of Indonesia 311
Chapter 7. Southwest Asia And North Africa: “second wind” of Islamic civilization 316
7.1. Southwest Asia 316
7.2. African Mediterranean 330
Chapter 8. Sub-Saharan Africa: How to reach “ main road"? 341
8.1. Countries Tropical Africa 341
8.1.1. Western and Central Africa 358
8.1.2. Eastern and South Africa 367
Chapter 9. Anglo-Saxon America: post-industrial transformation 385
9.1. United States of America 385
9.2. Canada 401
Chapter 10. Latin America: stabilization programs and harsh reality 411
10.1. General characteristics of the region 411
10.1.1. Caribbean: Mexico 422
10.1.2. South America: Brazil 433
Chapter 11. Australia and Oceania: a prosperous English-speaking periphery and a separate world of islands 441
11.1. Commonwealth of Australia 441
11.2. Oceania 452
References 459.

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Y.N.Tladk iy

A.I.Ch i s t o b a e v

Regional studies
Recommended by Educational and Methodological
association of Russian universities
in teacher education
Ministry of Education
Russian Federation
as a textbook for students
institutions of higher education

LA p tv q x jK u
MOSCOW
2003

UDC913(21)(075.8)
BBK 26.89
G52
Reviewers:
Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Professor, Honored Scientist
1Russian Sideration A.P. Alkhimenko\
doctor economic sciences, Professor B.V. Lagiov

Gladkiy Yu.N., Chistobaev A.I.
Regional studies: Textbook. - M.: Gardariki, 2003. 一 384 p.
ISBN 5-8297-0053-0 (translated)
The axiomatic foundations of regional studies are outlined. Among the main
discussed issues: development general ideas about regional studies; role once
personal factors in the regional differentiation of the world; originality of differences
different types of regions; specificity of cultural-historical macroregions and ecology
nomic regions of the Russian Federation. The growing attention to regional studies in the world is shown, arising from the very principle of territorial
differentiation of nature, population, productive forces, etc.
D;sh students studying in areas and specialties related to regional economy, geography, environmental management, sociology
gia, management, etc. Of interest to a wide range of specialists
sheets - from scientific workers and teachers to government representatives
public and municipal management.

UDC 913(21)(075.8)
BBK 26.89

ISBN 5-8297-0053-0

Preface
Regional studies1 is a scientific field that is widely in demand over time.
nogo and educational knowledge, aimed at studying
specifics of socio-economic, political, cultural
go, ethno-confessional, natural, environmental development
relatively holistic territorial entities, called
our regions.
Despite its widespread use in English literature
the term “regional science” (regional science), call it regional
making, as is often done, a completely independent science
it would be reckless - it is integral part geography
chemical science. “...Regionalism (a term used in Western
sources, is semantically close to “regional studies”, although “distant
quoted" from natural regions. 一 Auth.) is a banner
body phenomenon in the sociology of science. He acts as an inter
disciplinary conglomerate that has contributed to the development of several
disciplines and stimulating the circulation of ideas, regardless of
subject barriers and national boundaries... Regionalism is aimed
for borrowing, cross-pollination, adaptation and synthesis"
(L: Isserman，1993).
This explanation of the phenomenon of regionalism is generally acceptable. Od
However, one should treat with a great deal of caution the sometimes heard statements about the “dubious scientific character” of regional studies.
Few serious scientists question the scientific nature of such
research objects, such as “landscape region” or “economic
kiregion", and the viability of many first-class theories of regio
national development has been confirmed by economic practice most times
personal states.
1 The following terms are sometimes used as synonyms:《regional science.
nie", ^regionology", "districtography", "regionology", "regionalistics", "regional
natural geography”, “regional studies”, etc., which reflects the stage of rapid reflection and “shaking” of traditional foundations conceptual apparatus in the development of regional studies. According to the authors, the term “regional studies” is semantically the most accurate
orients thought towards the concept it reflects (by association with similar Russian
Chinese terms: “social studies”, “oriental studies”, “literary studies”,
^geography", ^soil science", etc.) -

PREFACE

So, by its nature, regional studies gravitates primarily towards
geography and can be considered as its subdiscipline (i.e.
auxiliary discipline). At the same time, inside it you can select，
firstly, theoretical regional studies, which deals with the analysis
spatial differentiation of objectively existing areas
new, but not specific, but based on the example of their types and models; Secondly,
constructive regional studies that apply theoretical principles
knowledge about the design of artificial territorial systems, I have
having clear boundaries; and, finally, cognitive regional studies (textbook
nal or metaregional studies), studying the regionalization of spatial
va as an instrument of knowledge, as a means of ordinary geographical
what characteristics. (Thus, "emasculating" scientific
content from regional studies means discrediting the essence
geography itself, which in turn does not need protection.)
Let us note the exceptional importance of cognitive (educational)
regional studies, the main task which consists in creating integrity
nykh, complex characteristics regions of various ranks. Such
characteristics using methods of geography and related sciences(history, socio
logy, statistics, etc.), as well as literature and art, is formed
a memorable image of the region, its originality. IN in this case speech
is about complex regional studies, but in some cases it happens
it is very important to create a bright, memorable image of economic development
gion, political, cultural, military, medical, etc.
The world's growing attention to regional studies stems from the very
principle territorial differentiation natural, human and ma
material resources, accounting and careful study of which creates the condition
viya for the rational “ordering” of these resources, i.e. for the celebration
ideas of territorial justice, economic federalism and
ultimately democracy. On the contrary, ignoring the state
at the fundamental level of the country’s regional characteristics can “drive”
regional processes into suppressed (passive) forms, which threatens
regional “distortions” in socio-economic development,
decentralization and weakening of power. The latter is convincing
illustrated by the events that followed the collapse of the USSR.
It is decentralization state power, development cent
timid trends and the danger of fragmentation of a single economic
who space along with the strengthening ambitions of regional elites you
called in Russian society an unprecedented surge of interest in regional
problems, to the issues of finding ways and means of “regional
survival." Numerous publications have appeared, the authors of which
turned to the analysis of the difficulties and problems that
weakly controlled regionalization of Russian society. It's about
about the attempts of some regional elites to politically distance themselves

PREFACE

The structure of this textbook is determined by the content of the corresponding
existing university course. It focuses on understanding the axioms
cultural foundations of regional studies with an emphasis on Russian specifics.
In some chapters, the authors deliberately went beyond the actual
regional analysis, which is explained by the desire to attract attention
tion to some important or controversial issues, without explanation
which are difficult to understand the nature of the action of individual regional factors
nalism. (These include, for example, a statement of the essence
ethnological concept of L.N. Gumilyov, who “excited” society
military opinion in the 60-90s. XX century The same can be said regarding
specifically some fragments of demographic, religious,
geopolitical factors of regionalism.)、
Many of the textbook's plots are organically related to the topics of other
textbook by the same authors - “Fundamentals of Regional Policy”
(SPb.: Publishing house V.A. Mikhailov, 1998. 660 p.), in relation to which
it plays a propaedeutic role.

DIFFERENTIATION
AND REGIONALIZATION
SPACES

]Chapter 1. Forms and processes of spatial
"differentiation
^There is an opinion that modern science steps into the realm of fundamental ignorance
on two fronts: the macroworld is revealed to us by space exploration; microcosm 一
atomic physics, chemistry，
molecular biology. In the rear remains the world of things average
th size - mesoworld (B. Rodomashch 1973). In this case we mean the general
structure globe and its surfaces, and repeating spatial
Structures embodied in numerous natural and artificial images
on the surface of the Earth.
*
As a result of an objective separation process material world for quality
Vitally different and internally related parts arise various types habitats
"(called differently: regions, regions, provinces, zones, belts
and so on,). They evolve, intersect, overlap, sometimes
disappear completely. Everything related to the formation, identification, selection, study, design, forecasting, modeling of such habitats has,
as we will see later, it is directly related to regional studies - the subject of our
consideration.

Our ideas about space

General scientific interpretation of the concept of “space” (as well as the concept
""time") is formed within the framework of philosophy, and not within the framework of geography,
"physics or other science. Space in philosophy is understood as
the universal form of existence of matter, inseparable from another form - time
me. (Many famous philosophers and representatives exact sciences tol! forged the concept of “space” in different ways. Thus, Aristotle believed
what is it - logical condition the existence of things; I. Newton Paul
gal what space is objective reality, but - empty；
J. Berkeley considered space as a mental abstraction,
built on a combination of light and sound； I. Kant perceived about
wandering as special shape filled with sensory experience and
providing good opportunity for natural classification
tions of knowledge; A. Einstein shared an opinion close to the latter,
perceived space as a derivative of sensory experience
knowledge of the material world.)
The general understanding of space has little in common with the philosopher
skim content of this category. Some sciences actively inter- pret this general scientific concept in relation to the specifics of the study.

CHAPTER 1. FORMS 11 PROCESSES OF SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION

The spheres of the material world they desire. Sometimes you hear about chemical
technical, biological, geological, economic, social,
geopolitical and other types of space.
Geographical space is most often interpreted as a philosopher
Chinese conceptual category，
as objective, universal and knowable
May ^form of existence of material geographical formations
and objects within the georpher shell. More specifically - under
geographical space is understood (“the set of relations
between geo-objects located in a specific territory and
developing during Alaev, 1983). You can put it
even simpler: the type of space that is studied by geo
graphy is terrestrial space (R.M.Downs, 1970). At the same time not
you should forget that geographical space is three-dimensional.
and the territory, from the point of view of geometry, is only two-dimensional. (And according to
Einstein, geometric space is curved, which requires
modification of certain aspects of Euclidean geometry.)
The difference between territory and geographic space is that
that the territory is united only by the general background of its location materially
real objects and, strictly speaking, “empty” from the point of view of the model
newly built! (although in practice, even in scientific literature-territory is often identified with space, and this is a big problem
No). All material objects and phenomena represent
are components of geospace as a three-dimensional formation.
His specific feature associated with the simultaneous presence
We recognize the qualities of discontinuity and continuity. Having your own
physical space, each geographical object*performs
certain functions in the formation of the geographical landscape
(or fields) and affects the surrounding geographical objects
You. It is in this that the “geographicism” of material objects and phenomena is manifested.
2 Structurality of geospace
Earthly space is represented by a variety of different material and immaterial substances, which in each individual
a moment can be compared to a “freeze frame” that captures complex
processes of spatial differentiation. "These are inanimate processes
nature, which are described by the so-called laws of physics and
chemistry; are biotic processes that are characterized in terms
biological concepts; these are also processes brought to life by humans
eternal culture... intersecting relationships between things and being
tiy of different origins systems form on the surface of the Earth
functionally related elements" (JI. James, J. Martin, 1981).

3. UNITS OF GEOSPATILE

Geographical space is structural (both from the point of view of its components (component structure), and in the territory
torially ( territorial structure).^ It is inherent
such qualities as consistency, dynamism, dimension, curvature,
.density, concentration, polarization, as well as entropy (i.e.
a measure of internal disorder).
For
geographer
space
there is a form
.
1
"
* ■
» geographical
g T

LH
A. .7 the closest
.......
connected in a way with the surface of the Earth. When characterizing the latter, they usually operate with general (often “non-delimited”)) elements
mentami - territory, water area; aerotoria and geotoria. (
广Territory一 limited part earth's surface, its segment,
having certain natural and anthropogenic properties
mi and resources名Usually it is not identified with the entire surface
Earth, but at the same time the sum of all territories of the planet identified on the basis single criterion, will correspond to the surface
earthlysushi.
|Water area 一 part water surface Earth with its inherent
natural and anthropogenic properties and resources and character
characterized by such qualities as depth, length, etc. [
[Aerotoria is still a little used, but promising ter
min meaning to grow air envelope geosphere/related
with the corresponding territory or water area (in comparison with now
the term “aircraft” used in legal literature
territory" the term "aerotory" is not only more concise, but also
mantically more strict).
Geotoria -generic concept, in which the territory is synthesized,
water area and air area.
Characters of geospace
Identification of different geospatial taxa is necessary
Methodological tool and inevitable methodical technique at
implementation of both theoretical and applied geographical research, as well as ordinary local history work in average
school. The difficulty here lies, in particular, in joint consideration
research on natural and social sciences, highlighting and studying
research area of the of various origins- physical-geographical
kih, geological, economic, ethnic, religious, geopo
lytic, cultural-civilizational, etc.
One of the most widely used universal concepts
tiya is an area (from Latin area - area, space). Emerging
initially in biogeography and used in relation to areas
where the distribution of any species, genus, etc. plants and animals

CHAPTER 1. FORMS AND PROCESSES OF SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION

New, subsequently jipeaji began to be interpreted as an area of distribution
understanding of any phenomena in general, in particular economic ones. Especially
constructive role this concept plays in cartography, where so on
The so-called method of areas is used to indicate the limits of races
spatialization of objects or phenomena.
Zone (from the Greek zone - belt) - taco

HIGHER PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Yu.N. GLADKY, V.D.SUKHORUKOV

ECONOMICANDSOCIAL

GEOGRAPHYFOREIGNCOUNTRIES

Educational- methodical unificationBy specialties pedagogical education

V quality textbook For students

higher educational establishments, students

By specialties "Geography"

Publishing center "Academy" 2008

UDC 911.63 (075.8) BBK 65.04ya73

Reviewers:

Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Professor IN. M. Razumovsky(St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance);

Candidate of Geographical Sciences N. N. Rogoten

(Department of Economic and Social Geography

Moscow Pedagogical State University)

SmoothYU. N.

G522 Economic and social geography of foreign countries: a textbook for students. higher ped. textbook institutions / Yu. N. Gladkiy, V. D. Sukhorukoe. - M.: Publishing center "Academy", 2008. - 464 p.

IЗВN 978-5-7695-4195-7

For students of higher pedagogical educational institutions.

UDC 911.63 (075.8) BBK 65.04ya73

Original- layout given publications is property

Publishing center "Academy", And his playback any way

without consent copyright holder prohibited

Preface

The well-known luminary of Russian human geography N.N. Baransky (1881 -1963) noted that the regional part of this course in geography textbooks, as well as in scientific regional monographs, should occupy at least 70% of the total volume. Of course, such a proportion is rarely observed, especially if we take into account the rapid diversification of social geography and the emergence of more and more “fashionable” trends in it. Nevertheless, the main taxonomic unit in human geography is still the country (state), and in this regard, regionalism in geography should be expressed as clearly as possible.

An independent problem is the very content of regional geography. During the Soviet years, the so-called regional studies essentially turned into economic geography, or more precisely, into the geography of material production. The characterizations of individual regions (including union and autonomous republics) carried out at that time abused economic and geographical themes.

The absurdity of such “structuring” of regional geography courses has become especially obvious in the post-industrial era, when in the advanced countries of the world the overwhelming majority of the gross domestic product (GDP) began to be created in the service sector.

It became finally clear that showing the diversity of the geography of cultures and peoples should no longer and cannot be replaced by the presentation of “dry” production schemes (inter-industry connections, energy production cycles, territorial production complexes, etc.). In other words, a change in the ratio of the scales of the characteristics of the world occurs in favor of political, social, cultural and environmental geography (with the preservation, of course, of economic and geographical subjects).

Another “pain point” of regional geography is the contradiction between the principle of comprehensive analysis of the country (regional

on) and the meaning of the analyzed elements, on the one hand, and the limited scope of any textbook, on the other.

The authors of this textbook proceed from the fact that complexity should not turn into an encyclopedic, element-by-element characteristic of the state. For example, a “bakery plant” or a “dairy plant” can be found in any city, and it is not at all necessary to always reflect these artifacts when characterizing states and regions.

The main thing is to show the characteristics of territories that are stable over time, their uniqueness, and to form in the reader an idea of the world through the prism of the individuality of the regions that make up it.

There is no need for any other universal postulates other than the universal law of geography, which states that all regions are unique.

R. Hartshorne (England)