(a) What is Transportation? (b) Highlight four advantages of air transportation (c) Describe five contributions of transportation to economic development

Answer Details

(a) Transportation

Transportation is the movement of people, goods and services from one place to another using various means such as roads, railways, waterways, pipelines and air.

(b) Four advantages of air transportation

• It is the fastest means of transport, ideal for long distances.
• It can reach remote and difficult areas (mountains, deserts, islands) not served by roads or rail.
• It is not restricted by physical barriers on the ground such as rivers, hills or forests.
• It is suitable for carrying perishable, urgent and valuable goods and for emergency/relief services.

(c) Five contributions of transportation to economic development

• Promotes trade and commerce by moving goods from areas of production to markets and consumers.
• Opens up remote areas for farming, mining and settlement, aiding regional development.
• Creates employment for drivers, pilots, mechanics, loaders and transport workers.
• Aids industrialisation by moving raw materials to factories and finished goods to markets.
• Encourages tourism and links, generating revenue, and speeds the movement of labour and information, boosting overall growth.