Energy, Water and Transport: notes

Energy

• Hydroelectric power: falling water turns turbines, for example Kariba. Clean but needs rain and a large dam.
• Thermal power: burns coal, for example Hwange. Pollutes air.
• Renewable: solar, wind, hydro, biogas. Non-renewable: coal, oil, which run out.
• Fuelwood: used by most rural homes and leads to deforestation.

Water

• Supply: dams, boreholes, rivers and wells.
• Management: repair leaks, harvest rain, protect catchments.

Transport and Trade

• Road: flexible, door to door. Rail: cheap for heavy goods over long distances. Air: fast but costly.
• Exports: minerals, tobacco, cotton. Imports: fuel, machinery, medicines.
• SADC: regional group that eases trade. Zimbabwe is landlocked so it uses ports such as Beira.