Explain any six factors each which have favoured the development of any two of the following industries: (a) Iron and steel industry in the Ruhr region (b) ...

Choosing (a) Iron and steel in the Ruhr and (b) Ship building in Japan.

(a) Six factors favouring iron and steel in the Ruhr region

1. Large local coalfields of good coking coal in the Ruhr valley, the main fuel and reducing agent for smelting.
2. Nearness to iron ore, formerly local and now imported cheaply from Sweden and France by water.
3. Excellent water transport on the Rhine and its tributaries and a dense canal/rail network for moving raw materials and finished steel.
4. Abundant water supply from the Rhine and Ruhr rivers for cooling and processing.
5. Large supply of skilled and general labour from the densely-populated region.
6. Huge home and European market for steel (machinery, vehicles, engineering) plus ample capital and long industrial tradition.

(b) Six factors favouring ship building in Japan

1. A long, deeply indented coastline with many sheltered natural harbours and deep water ideal for shipyards.
2. Cheap sea transport of imported raw materials (iron ore and coal) delivered directly to coastal yards.
3. A large, well-developed iron and steel industry nearby supplying steel plates.
4. Abundant, highly skilled and disciplined labour together with advanced technology and research.
5. Ample capital and strong government support for the industry.
6. A very large market: Japan's own huge merchant and fishing fleets plus a strong world export demand for ships.