Economic Geography
Natural Resources A natural resource is anything from nature that can be of value to humans. Renewable resources are natural resources that can replenish themselves with proper management and care. Nonrenewable resources are natural resources that are limited and will run out over time.
Natural Resources Some examples of renewable resources are: A. Soil (Arable land is land that can be farmed) B. Water C. Plants such as trees or even food crops D. Animals E. The Sun F. Wind
Natural Resources Some examples of nonrenewable resources are: A. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) B. Metals (gold, silver, iron, copper, bauxite) C. Gems (diamonds, rubies, emeralds) D. Minerals
Human Resources Human resources are people and the skills people possess. Human resources an be: A. The level of education of a person B. Skilled labor refers to people who must be trained over a long period of time
Human Resources C. Unskilled labor refers to people who can be trained in a short period of time D. Entrepreneurial and managerial abilities refers to people who can start their own business and manage others
Capital Resources Capital resources refers to: A. Money B. The level of infrastructure in a country. Infrastructure means technical structures that support a society such as roads, water supplies, power systems, and communication systems C. Availability and use of tools, machines, and technologies
Energy Resources A. Wood was used for thousands of years to produce energy and is still used in some parts of the world today, but it has caused widespread deforestation. B. Coal is used by most countries to produce energy today but it causes pollution when it is burned and mining coal can cause pollution.
Energy Resources C. Petroleum or oil is used for transportation but it can cause air pollution. D. Nuclear power is cheap but it can create radioactive waste that is difficult to dispose of. E. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are sources of cheap renewable energy that do not cause pollution but they can be expensive to make and they are not aesthetically pleasing.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear Power
Wind Farm
Distribution of Resources Natural resources are not evenly distributed across the earth. Some countries have many natural resources and other countries have very few. The unequal distribution of resources can cause the following: A. Economic interdependence - Countries must trade in order to get the resources they need. B. Uneven economic development - Some countries will be rich and others poor.
Distribution of Resources C. Energy producers and consumers - Some countries produce energy and others must import and consume energy. The United States imports most of its oil from other countries. Countries in the Middle East export oil. D. Imperialism - Countries take over other regions of the world in order to exploit their natural resources. E. Conflict - Countries will fight over control of resources such as oil, diamonds, gold, or even guano.
World Diamond Deposits
Culture s Perspective on Resources The use of a resource depends on a nation s culture, values, access to technology, and governmental priorities. A. The priority of some countries is economic development.
Culture s Perspective on Resources China is a good example of a country that emphasizes economic development above other priorities such as saving the environment or listening to the demands of minorities.
Culture s Perspective on Resources B.The priority of some countries is shifting towards environmental conservation and sustainability.
Belize Belize is a small country in Central America that has set aside most of its rainforest as parks in order to attract tourists to the country.
United States The United States has a growing green movement that emphasizes recycling and renewable energy.
Culture s Perspective on Resources C. The United States and Australia have indigenous minorities that own large areas. They have special rights to use the resources on these lands.
Technology and Resources New technologies can create a demand for a resource. A. Steam Engine - Demand for Coal B. Internal Combustion Engine - Petroleum C. Computer Chips - Skilled Labor
The Cost of Resources Whenever humans use natural resources they have to think about the costs or bad things that happen as a result of using the resources. A. Resource Depletion - When resources are used they will run out eventually. A good example of resource depletion is deforestation.
The Cost of Resources B. Environmental Degradation - When people use resources they harm the environment. Mining for minerals causes deforestation and pollution. Industries can cause air and water pollution. C. Health Problems - Pollution causes health problems.
The Benefits of Resources When people use resources they can: A. Produce goods and services B. Create jobs for people C. Develop new technologies
Patterns of Land Use Proximity of economic activity and resources. A. Steel manufacturing regions are near coal deposits. B. Cattle ranches are near areas that produce grain for cattle feed. C. Fishing occurs near oceans. D. Aluminum smelting occurs near areas with hydroelectric power.
Ruhr Valley Germany
Patterns of Land Use Non-proximity of resources to economic activity: A. Japan has limited natural resources so it must import natural resources from other countries. B. The United Arab Emirates have oil but few other resources so it is difficult to develop their industries.
Economic Activity Primary economic activity is when a person deals directly with a resource such as fishing, farming, forestry, mining, ranching, and hunting.
Economic Activity Secondary economic activity is composed of manufacturing and processing. Processing is when an unusable natural resource is refined into something useable. Manufacturing is when something is assembled.
Economic Activity Processing can consist of sawmills, flour mills, oil refineries, and meat packing plants. Manufacturing can consist of automobile factories, furniture factories, and textile factories.
Economic Activity Tertiary economic activity consists of service industries such as retail trade, information technology, banking, advertising, wholesaling, and transportation.