The processes of economic development and globalization, and the economic interdependence of countries in the modern world; Basic theories, concepts, and methods for describing, measuring and analyzing patterns of economic and social development; The main factors that have contributed to uneven patterns of economic development, such as the distribution and exploitation of natural resources, and the process of industrialization, technological change and globalization; The section on agriculture and the food industry illustrates in depth many issues related to economic development and globalization, including the role of agribusiness in food production and food consumption, and the impacts of traditional and modern agricultural production systems on the environment; The geographical dimensions of world hunger and malnutrition in relation to the structure of the world economy and world agriculture; Prospects for future agricultural development.