Human geography is the study of the ways human societies develop and operate in relation to their physical environment. This chapter covers the agriculture, livestock, fishing, water resources, minerals, industries, population, transport, communication and trade of Tamil Nadu. Natural resources are useful only when they are utilised, so human beings are the most significant resource on the earth's surface.
1. Agriculture and Its Determinants
- The word agriculture comes from the Latin words "ager" and "cultura", meaning field and growing.
- Agriculture is the major occupation of Tamil Nadu; more than 65% of the population depends on it.
- Food crops: paddy, millets and pulses. Commercial crops: sugarcane, cotton, sunflower, coconut, cashew, chillies, gingelly, groundnut, tea, coffee, cardamom and rubber.
Geographical Determinants
- Landform: plains are most suitable (e.g. the plains of the Cauvery); agriculture is moderate on plateaus and poor on hills.
- Climate: tropical, so only tropical crops are grown. The northeast monsoon is the major source of rain, so the major cropping season begins with it.
- Soil: river valleys and coastal plains with fertile alluvial soil are the most productive.
- Irrigation: needed because monsoon rainfall is highly irregular and seasonal; rain-fed crops are grown in dry regions.