Geography Chapter: Resource Distribution

Study Notes

Resources are materials found in the environment that humans use for food, fuel, clothing, and shelter, including water, soil, minerals, vegetation, animals, air, and sunlight.
People require resources to survive and thrive.

Low latitudes (near the equator) receive more sunlight and precipitation, while higher latitudes (near the poles) receive less sunlight and too little precipitation.
Temperate deciduous forest biomes provide a moderate climate, fertile soil, timber, and abundant wildlife.
Plains offer flat landscapes and fertile soil for growing crops, while steep mountains and dry deserts are more challenging.
Metallic minerals are abundant in areas with strong tectonic activity, while fossil fuels are found in sedimentary rocks.

Resources are distributed unevenly across the globe.
Human settlement and population distribution are influenced by geographic factors such as water, soil, vegetation, climate, and landscape.
Areas with fewer geographic advantages, such as South America, Africa, and Australia, have smaller populations than North America, Europe, and Asia.

Large groups of people often migrate to places with abundant resources and away from places lacking resources.
Examples of historical migrations include the Trail of Tears, Westward Movement, and the Gold Rush.
Economic activities, such as farming, fishing, and mining, are directly related to the resources in a region.

Countries may not have the resources they need, but trade enables them to acquire them from other places.
Japan is an example of a country with limited natural resources that has achieved wealth through trade.

Historical and present-day conflicts often involve nations trying to control resource-rich territories.
The standard of living, measured by the quality and quantity of goods and services available, is influenced by the availability of natural resources.
Wealth and prosperity do not solely depend on the presence or lack of natural resources within a country.