Explain causes of uneven development

Question (6 marks): Explain two physical and one historical cause of uneven development between countries.

Mark scheme (levels):

• L1 (1–2): identifies causes without explanation.
• L2 (3–4): explains causes with some link to development outcomes.
• L3 (5–6): detailed explanation with named places/figures and clear causal chains.

Indicative content:

• Physical: landlocked status raises trade costs ~50% (World Bank) — e.g. Chad. Tropical disease burden — malaria costs sub-Saharan Africa $12 bn/yr (WHO).
• Historical: colonial extraction — Walter Rodney (1972) argued the Berlin Conference (1884–85) carved Africa into export economies dependent on primary commodities. DRC still exports 80% raw cobalt.