AP Human Geography Flashcards: Economic Sectors and Patterns
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
If a country's economy is dominated by the primary sector, what does this suggest about its level of development?
A high proportion of economic activity in the primary sector typically indicates a lower level of development.
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If a country's economy is dominated by the primary sector, what does this suggest about its level of development?
A high proportion of economic activity in the primary sector typically indicates a lower level of development.
What does an economy's sectoral structure indicate?
The sectoral structure of an economy, such as the proportion of GNI derived from each sector, indicates its level of development.
What do the 'spatial patterns of economic sectors' refer to?
This refers to the geographic distribution and location of different economic activities and sectors across space.
What are the five categories of economic activities?
The five sectors are primary (extraction), secondary (processing), tertiary (services), quaternary (information), and quinary (executive).
What is the secondary economic sector?
The secondary economic sector involves processing raw materials obtained from the primary sector into finished goods, such as manufacturing and construction.
Define the tertiary economic sector.
The tertiary economic sector consists of providing services to the general population and businesses, rather than producing goods.
Describe the quinary economic sector.
The quinary sector includes the highest levels of decision-making in a society or economy, such as top executives in government, science, and corporations.
What is the primary economic sector?
The primary economic sector involves the extraction of raw materials from the Earth, such as agriculture, mining, and fishing.
What activities characterize the quaternary economic sector?
The quaternary sector is based on knowledge and information, including activities like research and development, information technology, and education.
A country with a large proportion of its GNI from the tertiary and quaternary sectors is likely at what level of development?
An economy dominated by the service and information sectors is characteristic of a highly developed country.