The Island of Java in Indonesia stands in striking contrast to other equatorial regions. This island has been inhabited by farmers for several centuries owing to its fertile volcanic soils. Intensive subsistence agriculture is common in the lowlands and terraced hill slopes. Density of population exceed 1000 persons per sq. km.
Development of plantation agriculture in parts of Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia represents another response to the same environment. European colonization was responsible for the development of plantations to provide rubber, tea and other products for European Markets.
Lumbering in this thickly covered vegetative belt has never been primary occupation because of certain limitations. Lack of transportational facilities, distance front the rivers and the heaviness of the logs and on the top of the lack of stamina of the native people have reduced the possibilities of forest industry; but even then hard woods especially methoganics are being exploited and are being used for furniture. The rain forest of Brazil contributes mahoganies rosewood, cedars and Brazilian teakwood. In Middle America dyewoods mahogany and baisa are being exploited for making furniture and other purpose. Fibers, gums, drugs, nuts and saps are some other commodities available from the forests of rainy tropics.
Mineral wealth of this region still remains to be explored on account of the vegetative cover, but in the recent times sustained efforts have been made to exploit some of them for industrial use. Several areas are already being exploited for mineral production. An area of Mexico is at present known as one of the best and great native sulphur producing area of the world. Much of the tin is found in Malaysia. Indonesian islands do not lag behind in this respect. Petroleum is found in Sumatra, Java and Borneo. Bauxite is found in large quantities in Surinam and Guinea.
Manufacturing is lacking in these regions, but in certain areas oil refining and tin smelting work is going on. Rio de Janeiro and Salvadore are two important industrial centre of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is the leading industrial city of Brazil producing products such as cotton and wool textiles, leather goods, furniture and. flour.
The lack of urban centres in the equatorial regions shows and reflects the limited commercial and industrial capacity of the areas. Sparse population and other climatic hazards also stand in the way of rapid incrustation. Pert of Spain is the chief of Trininad. Georgetown of British Guinea and Paramariro of Surinam are home of the important cities of South American equatorial region. Leopold-Ville of Congo is a very important city of Africa. Singapore is the most important city in southeast Asia. Jakarta, is the capital of Indonesia. Bandung is the third largest city of Indonesia.
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