What is the difference between a plantation and an orchard?

The main difference between a plantation and an orchard lies in the type of plants they cultivate:

* Plantation: A plantation is a large-scale farm specializing in the cultivation of a single crop, often a cash crop like coffee, tea, rubber, sugar cane, or palm oil. These crops are usually grown for commercial purposes and export. Plantations often involve monoculture (growing only one species of plant) and are typically located in tropical or subtropical regions.

* Orchard: An orchard is a piece of land where fruit trees are cultivated. Orchards typically focus on the production of fruits like apples, oranges, peaches, pears, and cherries. They are usually smaller in size than plantations and can be found in a variety of climates.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

| Feature | Plantation | Orchard |

|---|---|---|

| Crop type | Single, often cash crop (coffee, tea, rubber, etc.) | Fruit trees (apples, oranges, peaches, etc.) |

| Scale | Large-scale | Typically smaller scale |

| Monoculture | Common | Less common |

| Climate | Tropical or subtropical | Varied |

| Purpose | Commercial production, often for export | Fruit production for consumption |

In summary:

* Plantations are large-scale commercial farms focused on a single crop.

* Orchards are smaller areas dedicated to growing fruit trees.

While both are agricultural operations, they differ in their primary focus and scale.