Natural Resources and Economy

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Questions and Answers

What is the main driver of Europe's economy today?

Natural resources

Agricultural products

Manufactured products

Services (correct)

Why did companies move to certain areas during the Industrial Revolution?

To extract natural resources (correct)

To take advantage of cheaper labor

To escape high taxes

To be closer to their customers

What is the primary source of natural resources for European companies today?

Domestic extraction

Sustainable practices

Recycling

Imports from other countries (correct)

What was the impact of Europe's natural resources in the past?

They contributed to the creation of financial centers Signup and view all the answers

What is the current trend in Europe regarding natural resources?

Natural resources are driving companies and people to move out of Europe Signup and view all the answers

What is a major reason for the lack of movement of resources in North Korea?

International sanctions Signup and view all the answers

Which country has the largest supply of rare earths?

North Korea Signup and view all the answers

What is a major difference between Japan's economy and those of the other East Asian countries mentioned?

Japan's economy is less driven by natural resources Signup and view all the answers

What is a major reason for the limited movement of products in Central Asia?

Corrupt governments Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in Russia's economic success?

Rich natural resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why people migrate to Russia and Kazakhstan?

To take advantage of the natural resources in these countries Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a significant natural resource in Australia?

Coal Signup and view all the answers

What is a common practice of farmers in the Pacific Islands?

Subsistence farming to feed their families Signup and view all the answers

What has been a key factor in determining settlement patterns in the Middle East and Africa?

The availability of water Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'bread basket' of North America?

The Great Plains Signup and view all the answers

What type of landform is the Canadian Shield?

Raised plateau Signup and view all the answers

What is a major feature of the Eastern Region of the Canadian Shield?

The Appalachian Mountains Signup and view all the answers

Why are rivers, lakes, and oceans important for population growth in cities?

They offer fertile floodplain land for farming, transportation for trade, and freshwater for drinking Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the Caribbean Region?

It is comprised of many islands and coral reefs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a physical map?

To display the physical characteristics of an area, ignoring human activities Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Europe

Europe's natural resources drive the economy, leading to good living standards and affecting human behavior, including the movement of families, products, and capital.
The climate is mild, making it suitable for agriculture, with wheat, rapeseed, potatoes, and livestock products being major crops.
Services account for 73% of Europe's GDP, but historically, natural resources played a significant role in the continent's economy.
Many manufactured products are made using raw materials sourced from other countries, driving companies and people to move out of Europe.

East Asia

Natural resources in East Asia include coal, oil, fertile land, and natural beauty for tourism.
China has an abundance of natural resources, including forests, water, coal, oil, uranium, and metals.
Japan lacks natural resources, relying on imports, but has fertile land and hydroelectric power potential.
South Korea is also resource-poor, but has graphite, tungsten, and fertile land.
North Korea has natural resources, including marble, granite, iron ore, coal, gold, and rare earths, but is limited by sanctions.

Central Asia and Russia

Natural resources in Central Asia include oil, natural gas, iron ore, nickel, copper, tin, lead, titanium, diamonds, and wood.
Russia is rich in natural resources, with oil, natural gas, iron ore, nickel, copper, tin, lead, titanium, diamonds, and huge amounts of wood.
Kazakhstan has fertile land, oil, natural gas, and various metals and minerals.
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan also have significant natural resources, including natural gas, oil, coal, and metallic ores.

Australia and Oceania

Australia is rich in natural resources, including coal, iron ore, and gold, with exports reaching a record high in 2014.
New Zealand has significant natural resources, including dairy products, timber, oil, industrial machinery, and beverages.
The Pacific Islands are less rich in natural resources, with agriculture being dominant, but tourism is on the rise.

Middle East and Africa

The presence or absence of water has been a crucial factor in determining settlement patterns in the Middle East and Africa.
Water has led to dense settlements along the Nile River and civilizations in Ghana and Zimbabwe.
The ability to drill for oil has made it economical to build desalination plants and houses on stilts to access resources.

North America

The continent is divided into five regions: the Mountainous West, the Great Plains, the Canadian Shield, the Eastern Region, and the Caribbean Region.
The Mountainous West has a varied landscape, including the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Madres.
The Great Plains is a fertile region, often referred to as the 'bread basket' of North America.
The Canadian Shield is a raised plateau with cold temperatures and rocky terrain, employing many loggers.
The Eastern Region spans the Eastern coast, including the Appalachian Mountains and Eastern coastal plains of Canada and the U.S.
The Caribbean Region is located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and east of Central America, with many islands and coral reefs.

Physical Characteristics

Physical characteristics include rivers, coasts, bays, mountains, canyons, valleys, and lakes.
Human characteristics include cities, towns, dams, roads, and communication links.
The largest cities in the United States are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and the wider Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Major U.S. cities are often located near bodies of water, including lakes, oceans, and rivers.

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Description

Learn about natural resources, their impact on the economy, and how it affects human decisions. Understand the role of natural resources in driving the economy and its relation to living standards.