To go along with our current poll on “Economic Environment” we want to focus on one factor: geographic advantages. What are geographic advantages and disadvantaged? How can and in what way do cities benefit from geographic advantages? We found answers to these questions in a study by Kathy Benson which deals with the development of cities and the geographic factors that influence them.

The development of cities throughout the world is influenced by geographic features. Each feature offers advantages and disadvantages to the settlement of large groups of people. Most cities are located where there are more geographic advantages than disadvantages. The boundary between two different features, for example where mountains meet the flat lands or where land meets the sea, may offer the advantages of both features. These locations offer opportunities for people to develop trade and industry.
Although there are other geographic features, some of the most important features that influence the growth of cities are the following:

Water
The majority of cities can be found on coastlines of lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, seas, bays, canals, or natural harbours Water may offer sources of drinking water as well as sea food in general (fish, crabs, oysters, kelp etc.) Rivers provide irrigation for food production. When it comes to resources for companies, moving water provides power for industries and water also offers an opportunity for transportation. Some ships bring goods from lands across the sea, and others take goods away. Large ships can sail to some inland cities through wide rivers and canals. Harbours provide shelter for ships. As well as the industry benefits from water, many people also do. For instance, they enjoy recreational activities on the water such as boating, fishing, swimming, etc.
Water does not only provide advantages. It could also be dangerous: People settling near water need to be concerned with storms that could cause flooding. Some cities near water offer natural protection from enemies while others make the site more open to attack.
Examples of cities that developed on water include Sydney (Australia) and Istanbul (Turkey).

Landforms
A landform is largely defined by its surface form and location in the landscape, as part of the terrain, and as such, is typically an element of topography. Landforms are categorised by features such as elevation, slope, orientation, stratification, rock exposure, and soil type. Some landforms are high places such as mountains, hills, plateaus, and volcanoes. While some landforms are low places such as valleys, canyons, and plains.
Even though the slope of the mountains offers limited building opportunities and transportation, a lot of cities have been built mainly on hills and mountains to protect people from different threats (e.g. their enemies). On the other hand, people in such mountain cities are sometimes affected by severe weather conditions such as heavy snow, ice, mudslides,
Although it can be difficult to farm on steep slopes, people find ways to build flat terraces on the mountain slopes. Streams on mountains provide natural watersheds, making water available as a resource
Natural resources of the mountains such as coal, silver, lead, lumber, tin, and gems attract settlers are examples for resources for companies.
Mountains offer unique recreational experiences. People enjoy hiking, camping, and natural walks in the mountains. Sometimes the scenic views from high on the mountains are spectacular.
These cities are examples for a development on different types of landform: Madrid (Spain) and Mexico City (Mexico).

Vegetation
Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region; it refers to the ground cover life forms, structure, spatial extent or any other specific botanical or geographic characteristics.
Vegetation can be classified into four broad categories: forests, grasslands, desert, and tundra. Soil drainage, slope and climate are factors determining the kinds of vegetation in a region.

• Forests: Forests provide many resources. Wood is important as building material, as fuel, and as a raw material for paper and chemicals. Other things forests can provide are fruits, rubber, and medicines. Forests play and important role in farming. They provide shelter from the sun and winds and prevent rain from washing away precious topsoil. Forests provide protection for living creatures. As population and size of a settlement in a forest increases, land is often cleared of the trees and natural vegetation.

• Grasslands: Grasslands are areas where grass is the major natural vegetation. Grassland is present in places where there is not enough rain to form a forest, but more than enough to form a desert. Most of the major grasslands are found in the interior parts of continents. The rich soil of grasslands makes it useful for pastures and for growing crops. Grasslands provide habitat for various species of animal life. During dry season fires can destroy large sections of grasslands.

• Deserts: A desert is an area where little rain falls and few kinds of plants grow. Deserts are made of sand, bedrock, gravel, boulders, and soil. When the wind blows, sand piles up, and dunes are formed. Deserts can take the form of flat land, mesas, and mountains. Deserts are located in all parts of the world, including tropical and Polar Regions. Desert life is not easy for plants or animals. Although there is little rainfall, deserts have a water supply that is underground. This water sometimes rises to the surface. A fertile green area called an oasis may be found near such a water source.

• Tundra: Tundra is an area where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. Only plants with short roots such as grasses, mosses, and lichens can survive. The tundra is home to foxes, polar bears, wolves, caribou, musk oxen, lemmings and millions of birds. In the polar tundras, valuable mineral deposits are found under the soil.

Examples for cities where vegetation has affected the development of the city are Jerusalem (Israel) as well as Lander (Wyoming, United States)

Soil

Soil is the naturally occurring, unconsolidated or loose covering of broken rock particles and decaying organic matter (humus) on the surface of the earth, capable of supporting life. Soil can be made of various amounts of sand, silt, clay and other materials. The climate and the make-up of the soil in an area determine which plants will grow and whether erosion will occur. The soil contains nutrients for plant growth. The type of soil in an area is an important factor in the growth and development of a city.
The soils of Huntsville (Alabama, United States) and Aksum (Ethiopia) affect the agriculture and industrial development of these cities.

Climate

Climate is the average and variations of weather in a region over long periods of time. The climate of a location is affected by the presence of mountains, ice caps, as well nearby oceans and their associated currents. Different parts of the world have different climates. Climates can be classified as tropical, dry, mild, continental, polar, and high elevation. Climate can be an influence on the development of cities. Certain weather conditions such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, precipitation, and cloudiness affect the vegetation and animal life in an area. People often choose to live or not live in an area because of its climate.
Kiana (Alaska) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) are examples for cities having different climates and having developed in different ways.

Do you know cities which benefit from geographic advantages? Please share your thought in the comments?

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