Despite being endowed with many natural resources, equatorial countries have not displayed commensurate economic progress. What do you think are the factors responsible for this?

1. Equatorial Climate and health:

• Harsh conditions: extreme heat and rain
• Favorable for growth of parasites and hence diseases like malaria and yellow fever

2. Prevalence of bacteria and insect pests:

• climate suitable for growth of pests and insects: diseases and damages to crops

3. Jungle hinders development and maintenance:

• High undergrowth impedes the growth of crops ==> once cleared they regrow faster ==> choke crops
• due to density of forests problem in building and maintaining communication infrastructure like railways, roads etc

4. Rapid deterioration of tropical soil: due to heavy downpour

• But exceptions are Java: rich soil because of volcanic ashes
• Malaysia, Singapore and eastern Brazil: systematic planning for land development

5. Difficulties in lumbering

• hardwood makes it difficult to transport: cant float on water and there is no ice to slide upon

6. Livestock farming:

• handicapped due to absence of meadow grass
• tall and coarse grasses: non nutritious 
• animal diseases: ngana (caused by tsetse flies)