Students have read about life in South Asia today, including the economies of the countries in the region. In this activity they will learn more about the economy of India and the reasons businesses or industries might choose to operate in India. They will also learn that India encourages tourism and tourism-related businesses.
Students will use information from the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India Web site to learn about the Indian economy and environment for business investment. Students will answer four questions and then apply what they have learned to write a business proposal.
- Students will be able to describe what actions the Indian government has taken to encourage business investment.
- Students will be able to identify the economic factors that support tourism-related businesses.
- Students will be able to evaluate the objectivity of a government-sponsored Web site.
Applied Content Standards
Standard 2: The geographically informed person knows and understands how to use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial context.
Standard 3: The geographically informed person knows and understands how to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth's surface.
Standard 4: The geographically informed person knows and understands the physical and human characteristics of places.
Standard 6: The geographically informed person knows and understands how culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions.
Standard 11: The geographically informed person knows and understands the patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface.
Standard 18: The geographically informed person knows and understands how to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future.
Student Web Activity Answers
- Foreign businesses might be attracted by India's large population, recent economic reforms, stable democratic government, free-enterprise economy, sophisticated legal and accounting systems, opportunities for joint ventures with Indian businesses, and skilled managerial and technical workers.
- Tourism in India is a high–priority industry. In 2000, there was an occupancy rate of 51.7 percent in the Indian hotel industry, and tourist arrivals increased by 6.4 percent. India will need additional hotel rooms and other tourism-related businesses, and financial incentives are available for new hotels.
- Physical: beaches, jungles, mountains, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks; Cultural: modern cities, historic and religious sites, palaces, sports
- The Web site contains objective, factual information, but it also includes persuasive material that is subjective. No critical or negative information is given. The Web site is sponsored by the government to encourage foreign investment, so the information presents India in a positive light.
- Students' proposals will vary but should include at least 4 well-thought-out reasons that support India as a place to do business. Students should also provide reasons the chosen city appeals to tourists.
Go To Student Web Activity