Solomon Islands and New Zealand, Essay Example

Developmental Characteristics of the Solomon Islands and New Zealand

Development is used as a measure of a region’s economic, social and institutional growth. It is, however, not a sign that every member in that region is doing well economically. This is because averages are used which hide the inconsistency in the region. Patterns of development indicate the differences between those living in one region to those living in another. This has brought about Core and Periphery areas. Where the Core areas are considered more developed than the Periphery areas. Core and Periphery areas were set up during the colonial times. Colonialists concentrated on a particular area, lowering the rank of those indigenous to the area. This created a Core area which was a place of supremacy that was skillfully utilized. A Periphery area then had to come up. This area was left largely neglected, but supported the growth of the Core area. During the post colonial era, these Core areas continued to grow economically. The size of the population and the size of the territory, however, do not dictate whether an area is considered the Core or Periphery area.

The world can be considered to have Core and Periphery areas based on the economic developmental patterns. This is because the world has become a nonsegregated region. Factors that indicate whether a region is a Core or Periphery include; natural increase percentage, infant or child mortality per 1000, life expectancy for males and females in years, percent urban percentage, literacy percentage for males and females, and per capita gross national income. Using these indicators, one can conclude, between New Zealand and the Solomon Islands, which is the Core country and which is the Periphery country.

Taking into consideration the infant or child mortality rate per 1000, the Core country should have a low rate with that of the Periphery being higher. The infant mortality rate per 1000 for New Zealand is 5 while the child mortality rate is 6. The infant mortality rate for the Solomon Islands is 43 while the child mortality rate is 54. The rates per 1000 for New Zealand is very low compared to that of the Solomon Islands. With this indicator, New Zealand is the Core country.

Consider the literacy percentage for males and females. Core areas have a high literacy percentage with Periphery areas having a lower percentage. The literacy percentage in New Zealand is 99 for males and 99 for females. The literacy percentage for males and females in the Solomon Islands is, however, not indicated in the table.

Life expectancy for males and females in years is another indicator of whether an area is a Core or Periphery. The Core country has a higher life expectancy than that of the Periphery, with their males and females living longer. The life expectancy in New Zealand for males is 79 while for females is 83. The life expectancy in the Solomon Islands for males is 66 while for females is 69. By this indication, New Zealand is the Core country. This is because it has a higher life expectancy than the Solomon Islands.

It can therefore be concluded that New Zealand is the Core country with the Solomon Islands the Periphery country. This is because New Zealand has a lower rate of infant or child mortality per 1000; the literacy percentage for males and females can be assumed to be higher; and the life expectancy for males and females in years is higher. This makes the Solomon Islands a Periphery country with lower levels of education, poor health and lower economic levels compared to New Zealand, the Core country.

References

World Regional Geography: Global Perspectives. Print.