Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What does the backwash effect refer to in human geography?

1. The positive impact on a peripheral region from a nearby high-growth area

2. The negative impact to the peripheral region caused by increased flows of labor and capital into a nearby high-growth region

3. The development of services in high-growth areas

4. The overall economic growth of neighboring regions

The correct answer is: The negative impact to the peripheral region caused by increased flows of labor and capital into a nearby high-growth region

The backwash effect in human geography highlights the negative consequences that can arise when a high-growth area attracts resources, including labor and capital, from a surrounding peripheral region. This phenomenon occurs when economic opportunities in a flourishing urban center draw individuals and investments away from less developed areas, thereby exacerbating regional disparities and creating challenges for the latter. As workers migrate to areas with more robust job opportunities, the peripheral regions may experience a depletion of their workforce and a decrease in economic activity, leading to stagnation or decline. This dynamic contributes to a cycle of uneven development, with the high-growth areas benefitting at the expense of their less fortunate neighbors, which is the essential essence of the backwash effect. The other options present concepts related to regional economics and development but do not capture the specific impact described by the backwash effect. For instance, the first choice suggests a positive impact on peripheral regions, which contradicts the core principle of the backwash effect. Similarly, the development of services in high-growth areas and the overall economic growth of neighboring regions do not reflect the negative implications tied to the resource drain experienced by peripheral areas in this context.