Natural Resources
Definition
Natural resources are materials or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain. They include water, soil, minerals, forests etc.
Analogy
Consider natural resources like ingredients in a kitchen. Just as you need various ingredients to prepare different dishes, industries need various natural resources to produce goods and services.
Related terms
Renewable Resources: These are natural resources that can be replenished naturally over time - like vegetables growing back after being harvested from your garden.
Non-renewable Resources: These are resources that do not renew themselves at a sufficient rate for sustainable economic extraction - much like using all of your favorite spice in one dish without having any left over for future meals.
Sustainable Development: This is development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs - akin to cooking enough food for your meal now, but also ensuring there's enough ingredients left for future meals.
"Natural Resources" appears in:
Subjects (5)
Study guides (4)
Practice Questions (9)
- Which reason best explains why some regions with abundant natural resources remain economically underdeveloped?
- How does India's high population density affect its natural resources?
- How do natural resources influence the drawing of political boundaries?
- What is the impact of overpopulation on natural resources?
- How can geopolitics impact the natural resources within a country's borders?
- Which theory best explains the development of cities in regions with a high concentration of natural resources?
- Which country has managed its natural resources efficiently to ensure steady Gross National Income(GNI) per capita despite having a relatively small population?
- Which theory best explains why some nations remain underdeveloped despite abundant natural resources?
- Why would a country rich in natural resources struggle with sustainable development?
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