Synopsis Economic geography is the study of the location, distribution and spatial organization of economic activities across the world. It takes into account social, cultural and institutional factors in the spatial economy. The spatial distribution of economic activity is the result of agglomeration and dispersion forces. Agglomeration arises due to proximity to large markets, presence of a large variety of goods, the ease of finding employment, etc. Dispersion on the other hand results due to congestion, pollution, more competitors, higher prices of immobile factors, etc.

It is the interplay of, and the relative changes in these agglomeration and dispersion forces that determine the spatial distribution of growth and development.

The authors in this book have discussed the different paradigms of economic geography and analysed the various determinants of spatial disparities and suggested measures for equitable and inclusive growth as envisaged in the 11th Five Year Plan.