12. Industrial development of Great Britain

Great Britain is one of the world's leading industrialized nations. It has achieved this position despite the lack of most raw materials needed for industry. It must also import 40% of its food suplies. Thus, its prosperity has been dependent upon the export of manufactured goods in exchange for raw materials and foodstuffs. Within the manufacturing sector, the largest industries include machine tools; electric power, automation, and railroad equipment; ships; aircraft; motor vehicles and parts; electronic and communications equipment; metals; chemicals; coal; petroleum; paper and printing; food processing; textiles; and clothing.

Private enterprises in the Great Britain generate over three-quarters of total do­mestic income. Since 1979 the Government has privatized 46 major businesses and reduced the state-owned sector of industry by about two-thirds. The Government is taking measures to cut unnecessary regulations imposed on business, and runs a number of schemes which provide direct assistance or advice to small and medium-sized businesses.

One of the leading industries of Great Britain is the textile industry. Coals, iron and steel as well as various machines are also produced there. Ship-building and motor industry are highly developed too.

Great Britain is highly industrialized, this was the country in which the earliest developments of modern industry took place.

London, the capital, is one of many important industrial centers. Lots of things such as clothes, food, planes and cars are made in and around London.

Birmingham is the biggest town in an important industrial area near the centre of England. Machines, cars and lorries are made in this area. TV sets and radios are also produced there.

Manchester in the north-west of England is the centre of the cotton textile industry, one of Britain's most important producers of computers and electronic equipment.

Coal-mining is important in South Wales, but many of the mines5 there have been closed. There is much unemployment in South Wales today. A smaller industrial area is situated in North Wales, where steel6 and chemicals are produced.

Ship-building is an important industry in the United Kingdom. The main ship-building centers are London, Glasgow in Scotland, Belfast in Northern Ireland and some others.

Sheep can be seen in many parts of England and Scotland, and there are a lot of cattle-farms and farms where milk, butter and cheese are produced. But only half of the food the country needs is produced by British agriculture.

15. Canada’s leading industries

Canada is home to modern, dynamic industries comprised of thousands of innovative, competitive companies, many of whom are leading the world in their respective fields.

Canada excels in multiple sectors, as diverse as our vast country.

Aerospace - Canada is a high flyer in aerospace with annual sales of over $22 billion and more than 82,000 workers.

Chemicals - With some 3,000 companies, 80,000 workers and annual shipments worth over $48 billion, Canada’s chemical industry offers a deep manufacturing base and unparalleled location and logistics advantages for global business.

Engineering- With $13 billion in annual sales and 85,000 workers, Canada’s engineering firms enjoy a world-wide reputation for expertise in resource extraction, energy, telecommunications, transportation and infrastructure engineering.

Environmental Technologies - Made up of more than 10,000 companies generating annual revenues in excess of $29 billion, Canada’s environmental technology industry is successfully meeting the global demand for clean technologies across a broad range of industries.

Digital Entertainment- With some 3,200 firms and 52,000 employees, Canada’s digital entertainment industry is creating simulation, gaming, special effects and animation technologies that are dominant in global entertainment, military and health markets.

Financial Services - Canadian financial institutions are strong, stable and globally focused – having made over $60 billion in acquisitions outside Canada since 2000.

Food Processing - Canada has the most productive food and beverage sector in the world. Strong agricultural production supports other links along the value-chain including the feed industry, bio-fuels production, live animal production, processed foods, and ingredients for beverage processing, such as malt barley and rye.

Medical Devices - With over 1,000 companies, 26,000 employees and $4 billion in annual revenues, the medical devices sector leverages Canadian scientific skills and expertise to produce high quality medical devices that meet stringent international criteria.

Plastics - With nearly 2,700 companies and some 113,000 workers, Canada’s $33-billion plastics industry is a sophisticated, multi-faceted industry that encompasses producers of plastics products, machinery and moulds and synthetic resins.

Software- With sales of nearly $1 billion in 2007, Canadian leadership in enterprise application software is generating solutions across a broad range of disciplines, including accounting, operations management, enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, supply chain management, electronic commerce and business intelligence software.