How the Coffee Industry Explains the Global Economy

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video uses the relatable example of opening a coffee shop to explain the complex concepts of economic geography and global supply chains. Hosted by Justin, the video introduces a character named Lauren who needs to understand the economic activities required to run her business. It systematically breaks down the four levels of economic activity—primary (resource extraction), secondary (manufacturing), tertiary (services), and quaternary (intellectual services)—using specific examples from the coffee industry to make these abstract categories concrete for students. Beyond defining the sectors, the video explores the geographic factors that determine where these activities take place: location (climate/resources), infrastructure, and population. It demonstrates why a city like Lauren's is ideal for tertiary and quaternary activities but unsuited for primary ones like farming. This naturally leads to a discussion on globalization, showing how different regions specialize based on their strengths and trade to create a finished product. For educators, this resource is an excellent tool for social studies, geography, or economics units. It provides a clear framework for analyzing any industry and helps students understand the interconnected nature of the modern world. The video includes built-in pause points with questions, making it ready-made for active classroom viewing, discussion, and critical thinking about the benefits and challenges of the global economy.