3.3C: Switched Off Locations

• Political explanations for 'switched off' countries- North Korea


  • North Korea is a hereditary autocracy ruled by Kim Jong-Un.
  • It is run as a one-party system with a command economy organised on the communist system.
  • Since 1955 it has followed the policy of Junche 'self-sufficiency', minimising trade with other countries.
  • Emigration and foreign tourism by ordinary citizens is prohibited.
  • Ordinary citizens have no access to internet or social media. There are no undersea data cable connections.
  • However, it does trade with China, and set up the Kaesong SEZ, employing 52,000 people.
• Political explanations for 'switched off' countries- Sahel Region


  The Sahel Region is an area of west Africa.All countries have low GDI per capita ($900-$2100) and low HDI (0.35-0.42)

  • Colonial era borders divide/combine different ethnic/religious groups
  • Political parties based on ethnicity/religion lead to political instability with frequent coups or civil wars, e.g. Tuareg attempted succession in Mali in 2012.
  • This leads to poor long-term investment, slowing development.
  • High level of corruption and uncertainty over contract enforcement makes it unattractive for FDI
• Economic explanations for 'switched off' countries- Sahel Region


  • Poor infrastructure and low literacy levels of the working age population make it unattractive for offshoring FDI
  • Low income levels mean it lacks market size to attract retail outlet FDI. Few households other than elite can afford to purchase imported goods or engage in foreign tourism.
  • Rural parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, especially the Sahel, are dominated by a subsistence farming economy with food produced to eat, not sell. These places are also poor, and their capacity to create connections is limited.
• Physical explanations for 'switched off' countries
- Sahel Region


  • All four Sahel region countries are landlocked, rely on poor quality roads, and freedom of passage through neighbouring countries to access coastal ports.
  • Resulting high transport costs may make exports unattractive in foreign markets and deter FDI
  • The Himalaya mountain countries of Nepal, Bhutan and Chinese Tibet are isolated by terrain and winter snow, limiting their connections to the outside world - although tourism is changing this.
• Environmental explanations for 'switched off' countries - Sahel Region

  These countries have a semi-arid climate with 200-400 mm of precipitation p.a., making agricultural exports reliant on a good rainy season.

  • Climate change is increasing aridity, leading to desertification as savanna gives way to desert.
  • This reduces land area available for producing agricultural exports.
  • Harsh desert climates, extreme polar and dense tropical forests limit the development of transport and trade connections meaning continental interiors and polar regions are less well connected than coastal locations.