Natural resources
are substances that exist naturally in the earth and were not made by human beings.
Benefits
Natural resources become valuable based on their demand and usefulness in manufacturing products or providing human necessities or comforts.
Identification
Natural resources are materials such as air, land, water, natural gas, coal, oil, petroleum, minerals, wood, topsoil, fauna, flora, forests and wildlife.
Significance
A country's economic standing and independence are based on long-term sales of its natural resources, also known as commodities, to other nations.
Types
Renewable natural resources are those that can be replaced in a timely manner and include animal life, plants, trees, water, grass and wind energy. Nonrenewable resources may be irreplaceable once extracted from water or soil and include gold, silver, fossil fuels, diamonds, natural gas, copper and ore
Warning
Environmental activists warn that although natural resources are gifts of nature, farmland and clean water are two resources that may become scarce as Earth's population continues to increase.
Expert Insight
Scientists now use gravity gradiometers--space-based technological instruments--to locate natural resources like oil and gas.
Fun Fact
Soil is one of many natural resources, and although commonly believed only to be black or brown, soil can also be gray, red, yellow or white.
