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Briefly explain the physical features that have favoured the development of the iron and steel industry in the Ruhr region.

Briefly explain the physical features that have favoured the development of the iron and steel industry in the Ruhr region.

Answers

Faith
(a) Availability of raw materials
The Ruhr region is located in an area with the largest coalfields in Europe. Iron ore was originally available in the Rhine valley but the increase of iron and steel industries forced industrialists to import iron ore from France and Sweden. Limestone, which is also one of the raw materials, is readily available in the Ruhr region. The proximity of the raw materials was the major factor for the establishment of the iron and steel industry in the Ruhr region. The weight and bulkiness of these raw materials was also taken into consideration.
(b) Cheap water transport.
The growth of the Ruhr region was facilitated by availability of waterways such as rivers Ruhr, Emscher and Lippe, all with links to the Rhine. The waterway system was improved with the construction of a network of canals linking up these rivers with those having outlets to the north sea. The Rhine, together with its tributaries and canal system, forms one of the most efficient waterways in the world.
(c) Availability of water.
Rivers Rhine, Ruhr and Lippe provide the much needed water in the factories for cooling, cleaning and producing steam in the boilers.
Faimus answered the question on May 2, 2018 at 10:39

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