This exercise is about tracing the origins of the clothes and shoes you wear and about asking Why? The cost of labor…is important, but it certainly isnt the only factor in determining where garments and shoes are made (Domosh et al. 2013: 345).
Your essay must first describe briefly the historical and contemporary patterns of trade in primary and secondary production related to the garments industry (see textbook and PPT files for details), and their spatial distribution, in your own words. Then you will discuss the most important characteristics of the garments industry including its evolution and current state. A summary of these facts can be found in this exercises PowerPoint presentation as well.
As it is mention in the book, The Human Mosaic: … the textile and garments industries have historically been very footloose, able to move production facilities to locations that suit manufacturers, often because of the low cost of labor. In todays global world, that tendency is even more pronounced, with manufacturers of clothing and other garment-related materials outsourcing many aspects of production and often subcontracting with other companies to complete different tasks in different parts of the world (Domosh et al. 2013: 345). Please note that this quote includes several key definitions that must be included in your essay. You can find additional key definitions in the Instructions PPT file.
Any geographically-based study must answer three broad questions: Where? Why? and, So what? (or, in other words, why is this important?) For example, where are the garments you selected to compose this exercise where made and where are the headquarters of these companies located? Why are these items made in these countries? What are the similarities of the countries were these garments are produced and those where the company headquarters are located? What are the differences? In answering to the So what? question (why is this important?) you must use the information you have included in the first two sections (Where? and Why?). This is an overview of the principles characterisitcs of todays garment industry and must include a conclusions paragraph of your analysis. While answering these questions, you must also consider each of the locational factors mentioned in the course textbook and the corresponding PPT (i.e., labor, markets, state policies, consumer trends), and try to generalize the why of what you wear.
This essay must include a minimum of at-least 800 words in length. You must also demonstrate knowledge of the topic using key definitions related to this topic. In addition, it is required to include at- least one additional reference (textbook or other reputable source; not Wikipedia) in the essay portion of your work that relates to this topic making a proper citation in your essay. You must also include this

reference in a separate page (Bibliography/Reference), making a full citation of all sources cited in your essay. Making a notation in your essay but not including it in your bibliography, or the other way around, makes this source invalid; hence, it will not count. Note that this portion (including an external source) corresponds to 5% of the final grade of this assignment.
Technical Aspects: Your essay must conform to the following formatting: 12-point font (Arial, Times New Roman, Garamond, or Book Antiqua), one-inch margins all around, double-spaced, and number the pages. Essays that do not format their work accordingly will receive a 10-point discount.
Final Details (VERY IMPORTANT): You must upload your essay, including your table and map in a word document (one file only), to Turnitin.com. You can find the link to Turnitin.com in the Assignment Dropbox. If you experience any difficulties to upload your exercise to Turnitin.com, you must send me your complete work using the course messaging system in a word document before the deadline.
Your answer must be your own, original thoughts. If you plagiarize your thoughts from a website, journal, or any other source, not only you will be sad because you cannot write the small number of words of your own, but you will earn a failing grade in our class. See course syllabus for more details regarding plagiarism issues.

MUST USE THE SOURCE BELOW ON AS A SOURCE

Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts

Harm J. de Blij, Peter O. Muller

Wiley, 14th Edition, 2010

ISBN-10: 0470462426

ISBN-13: 9780470462423