What does geographic advantage mean?

Answer 1

I left the first contributor's answer regarding "geographic advantage" inasmuch as it provides an example for one explanation if the question pertains to certain kinds of business. It is located in the last paragraph on the page. All of our contributors add to our knowledge base. No one has a monopoly on "correct answers" . I certainly don't.

The question presents a problem in that it is not specific. It does, however, create an opportunity to explore more about geography and how it relates to various countries.

First it needs to be recognized that "distance" sometimes creates barriers to trade. But more often than not trading between nations is based on the product being traded, not the distance between the trading partners.

Saudi Arabia is the world's largest exporter of petroleum. Its main trading partners concerning this product are the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, and India. Transport is slow based on the nature of the product and distance can be large. So here we see geography not playing much of a role.

Again, based on the products offered, we see the United States as the number one exporter of weaponry. This is especially true of combat aircraft. The distance from the USA to its export partners isn't relevant.

But geographic location is a prime determinant of a nations productivity and scale of industrialization. In this case we see that nations within the world's temperate climate zones have a geographic advantage. Temperate zone nations also tend to be more aggressive.

Geographic advantages during times of war.

With a few exceptions we see that certainly in the past and the ancient past, geography can be an advantage. More so in times past. In WW2 it was clear that among all the powers in the war, the USA was insulated by its geographic location. After this huge war, the USA & Canada were among the only ones whose industries and civilian populations remained untouched.

From the time of Peter the Great of Russia, Russia's primary geo-political goals were to gain a 12 month, warm water port (s). Russia still doesn't have one. As an aside,Czarist Russia, the most despotic European nation in the world, was the most supportive nation to the US Federal Union during the Civil War. (support being political only) Why? Because the US allowed the Russian Navy to practice maneuvers, on the US East coast and off the coast of San Francisco. Back then, no takers from Europe for allowing Russian navy maneuvers in the winter.

Moving to the ancient world, many historians cite Rome's location in the center of the Mediterranean World as a geographic advantage towards its goal of empire.

So in summary, geography plays a role in a nations productivity, and in now a limited way, it does so in times of war. I say limited because the "Gulf Wars" or the better phrased, the Middle East conflicts, distant as they were and are, have shown that the old barrier of "distance" did not prevent the U.K. or the USA from conducting major military actions, thousands of miles away from their home locations.

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Compare the abilities of Canada and the UK to do business in Europe. Canada is a large country whose business people are spread over several time zones. The UK is much smaller and a large fraction of its businesses have offices in the capital. UK business people can be in other European countries within a couple of hours. Canadians must expect to spend about eight hours travelling at least, and to arrive jet-lagged. Goods travel much more quickly and easily, as do communications between the UK and Europe.

In short, the UK has a geographic advantage over Canada in trading with Europe.

Answer 2

I left the first contributor's answer regarding "geographic advantage" inasmuch as it provides an example for one explanation if the question pertains to certain kinds of business. It is located in the last paragraph on the page. All of our contributors add to our knowledge base. No one has a monopoly on "correct answers" . I certainly don't.

The question presents a problem in that it is not specific. It does, however, create an opportunity to explore more about geography and how it relates to various countries.

First it needs to be recognized that "distance" sometimes creates barriers to trade. But more often than not trading between nations is based on the product being traded, not the distance between the trading partners.

Saudi Arabia is the world's largest exporter of petroleum. Its main trading partners concerning this product are the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, and India. Transport is slow based on the nature of the product and distance can be large. So here we see geography not playing much of a role.

Again, based on the products offered, we see the United States as the number one exporter of weaponry. This is especially true of combat aircraft. The distance from the USA to its export partners isn't relevant.

But geographic location is a prime determinant of a nations productivity and scale of industrialization. In this case we see that nations within the world's temperate climate zones have a geographic advantage. Temperate zone nations also tend to be more aggressive.

Geographic advantages during times of war.

With a few exceptions we see that certainly in the past and the ancient past, geography can be an advantage. More so in times past. In WW2 it was clear that among all the powers in the war, the USA was insulated by its geographic location. After this huge war, the USA & Canada were among the only ones whose industries and civilian populations remained untouched.

From the time of Peter the Great of Russia, Russia's primary geo-political goals were to gain a 12 month, warm water port (s). Russia still doesn't have one. As an aside,Czarist Russia, the most despotic European nation in the world, was the most supportive nation to the US Federal Union during the Civil War. (support being political only) Why? Because the US allowed the Russian Navy to practice maneuvers, on the US East coast and off the coast of San Francisco. Back then, no takers from Europe for allowing Russian navy maneuvers in the winter.

Moving to the ancient world, many historians cite Rome's location in the center of the Mediterranean World as a geographic advantage towards its goal of empire.

So in summary, geography plays a role in a nations productivity, and in now a limited way, it does so in times of war. I say limited because the "Gulf Wars" or the better phrased, the Middle East conflicts, distant as they were and are, have shown that the old barrier of "distance" did not prevent the U.K. or the USA from conducting major military actions, thousands of miles away from their home locations.

=========================================

Compare the abilities of Canada and the UK to do business in Europe. Canada is a large country whose business people are spread over several time zones. The UK is much smaller and a large fraction of its businesses have offices in the capital. UK business people can be in other European countries within a couple of hours. Canadians must expect to spend about eight hours travelling at least, and to arrive jet-lagged. Goods travel much more quickly and easily, as do communications between the UK and Europe.

In short, the UK has a geographic advantage over Canada in trading with Europe.