World Geography: Human/Environment Interaction
Natural Resources
Natural resources are substances that appear in nature and are not made by humans. They include both renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are nonrenewable natural resources. Trees are an example of a renewable resource.
Resources are found in all countries. Examples are shown in this table.
| Resource | Location |
| Water | Oceans and lakes |
| Air | Atmosphere |
| Oil | Middle East, Russia, United States, China |
| Natural gas | Russia, Middle East, United States, Venezuela, Algeria, Nigeria |
| Forests | All continents except Antarctica. However, fossilized woods have been found there, indicating forests once existed on the continent. |
| Salt | Mines: China, United States, Pakistan, Bolivia, Canada; Sea Salt |
| Tin | Bolivia, Nigeria, Southeast Asia |
| Gold | South Africa, Canada, United States, Russia, China, Peru, Australia |
| Coal | United States, China, Russia, Canada |
| Iron ore | China, United States, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Ukraine, India |
| Wetlands | All continents except Antarctica; inland and on coasts. |
Natural resources are important. Some are critical to human existence. Water and air are examples. Others are used in everyday life to heat homes, build structures, feed the population, and power vehicles.
Natural resources can be depleted. To deplete means āto use up.ā Fish and seafood can be depleted by overfishing. Overuse can deplete forests, coal, and other metals. When consumer demand increases, supplies of resources may decrease. As population increases, the demand for resources becomes greater. Natural resources can be preserved, for example, by using fewer fossil fuels and preserving clean water supplies. Reforestation and protecting wetlands can also help preserve natural resources.
Example
Which of the following natural resources is necessary for human existence?
A. Air
B. Coal
C. Iron ore
D. Wetlands
The correct answer is A. The only listed natural resource that is necessary for existence is air. The others are used in everyday life but are important, not necessary.
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