GLOSSARY (L-M)

labour intensive industry - a method of producing a good or service that relies more on workers than on capital (money, machinery etc) - the opposite is capital intensive industry

land reform - the redistribution of landholdings usually done by taking over large estates/plantations and dividing into smaller units suitable for individual farmers

landless peasants - people who live in rural areas, have little income, and do not own land

less developed countries - approximately 130 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America suffer from some or all of the following characteristics and could be classified as developing or less developed countries: majority of people living in poverty, mostly farmers or hunters, little or no industry, high birth rates and declining death rates, low life expectancy, malnutrition, poor housing, and more illiteracy than literacy.

life expectancy - the average number of years that a person in a given country may expect to live - the average life expectancy for people in a developing country is 61 and for developed countries is 74

literacy - the ability ot both read and write a short simple statement about everyday life - this is a definition of basic literacy as opposed to functional literacy which requires a greater degree of understanding and fluency in the language

malnutrition - poor diet which is deficient in one or more proteins, minerals, or vitamins

marasmus - a form of protein deficiency characterized by a wasting away of the body and a high mortality rate

marginal lands - land which is on the edge of being useful - if demand for land increases, marginal areas become pressured into use to grow food

market economy - a system of production and consumption where prices changes due to supply and demand changes dictate which decisions are made

migration - the movement of people across a boundary to estblish a new permanent residence

monsoons - a prevailing wind in several tropical areas which reverses direction with the seasons usually bringing summer/fall rainfall

multilateral aid - aid given to lesser developed countries which is distributed by central agencies

multinational company - a very large company with subsidiaries, branch offices and factories operating in more than one country