The U.S. Has Six Natural Resources
People use materials from the earth known as natural resources to fulfill their needs. Six natural resources, including a sizable landmass, two long coastlines, a large area of fertile land, an abundance of fresh water, enormous oil and coal reserves, and a diverse population, are unusually abundant in the United States. Learn more about these resources' benefits to the American economy.Main Points
- The U.S. economy benefits greatly from six natural resources.
- Some of these include a sizable landmass, extensive coastlines, arable land, freshwater, oil and coal, and a diverse population.
- Natural resources are one of the four production factors required for an economy.
- There cannot be an economy without natural resources.
Broad landmass
The United States' geography and geology gave it a huge comparative advantage in developing its economy. Only two countries with comparable-sized landmasses do not share an enemy's border: Australia and Canada. While the land masses of China and Russia are comparable in size or larger, they are bordered by hostile countries, making them vulnerable to invasion. Similar in size, the European Union has more than one national government. The broad area of land that makes up America allows for economies of scale in both business and government. As a result, it is less expensive to provide goods and services.Coastlines With Access to Shipping
The Great Lakes and distant U.S. territories and possessions are included in America's 95,471 miles of coastline. In 2018, the coast contributed $346 billion to the gross national product. 3.4 million jobs were produced. Along with mining, boat building, harvesting living resources, and marine transportation and construction, these jobs are associated with tourism and ocean recreation. Workers' wages along the coast increased by $140 billion. Important: Exports and imports are more expensive for landlocked nations that have limited sea access. The size of America's coastline is a blessing. Landlocked nations' commerce is subject to the whims of other governments. Due to its extensive coastline, America has no hostile neighbors. As a result, the United States was able to grow peacefully without having to spend a lot of money on fighting.Land for Agriculture and Farming
Unlike Australia and Canada, the United States has a temperate climate and fertile soil. On the Great Plains, the first settlers discovered fertile land. Between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains, this region spans more than 290,000 square miles. The Plains was a sizable basin that glaciers carved out during the Great Ice Age. Thus, mountain streams from the Rockies laid down sedimentary layers. After that, the streams carved plateaus out of the sediment. Erosion had not affected these vast flat areas. As a result, there is now abundant sod and prosperous farming. The Great Plains, however, are semi-arid and occasionally experience droughts. The Plains didn't become the world's breadbasket until irrigation was implemented. The Rockies fed the streams that supplied the water.Water for Life, Agriculture, and More
In America, 87 percent of the water used is supplied by lakes, rivers, and streams. The astonishing daily water consumption of the electric power sector is 133 billion gallons. While cooling the machinery that produces electricity, water is also recycled. One hundred eighteen billion gallons are used daily for agricultural irrigation, but they are not recycled. Households, businesses, and industries use the remainder. California, Texas, Idaho, and Florida are the four states that make up more than 25% of all water withdrawals in the United States, according to the United States Geological Survey.Coal, Gas, and Oil
The largest coal reserves are in America. During the Industrial Revolution, this plentiful energy source fueled the development of the United States. It provided fuel for steam railroads and steamships. Coke, a coal byproduct, was used to power the iron blast furnaces that produced steel after the Civil War. Soon after, coal powered the power plants that produced electricity. Despite its decreasing use, it still does for many people. In contrast to Canada's shale oil, the United States had enormous, easily accessible oil reserves. The United States switched its Navy's coal-burning ships to oil as World War I got underway. This increased ship speed increased range, and made refueling simpler. The West Coast's easy access to oil made it possible for the Navy to expand its reach across the Pacific. Vehicles like cars, trucks, tanks, submarines, and airplanes were all made possible by oil. TNT, also known as trinitrotoluene, was created by scientists using toluene that was extracted from oil. During World War I, the United States met more than 80% of the demands of the Allies. Oil provided the internal combustion engine with power after the war. Additionally, it provided the petrochemicals and machinery power required to increase agricultural output. Note: Two-thirds of the oil produced worldwide in 1920 came from America. There were more registered automobiles, from 3.4 million in 1916 to 23.1 million in 1929. America was then able to abandon public transportation. Nearly one-fifth of all energy used in the United States in 1925 came from oil. By World War II, that had increased to a third. Oil wasn't even the primary fuel in other nations. Less than 10% of their total energy was consumed by it. Overproduction became the primary problem for the oil industry after the enormous East Texas oil field was discovered in 1930. Those reserves weren't as affordable in 1950. Oil was produced more cheaply by Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations than by American fields. In 2005, the United States imported 60% of the oil is used. Oil prices rose enough in 2011 to enable low-cost shale oil exploration in the United States. For the first time since 1949, the United States will be a net exporter of petroleum by 2020.A Special Workforce
By 2019, 44.9 million immigrants, or 13.7% of the country's population, will be living in America. Most immigrants to the U.S. throughout its history have possessed the courage and adaptability necessary to endure in a foreign land. They aided a culture of innovation. Early immigrants were inspired to continue taking risks after becoming citizens by their courage and adaptability. If people keep in mind their shared objectives, this cultural diversity can be a strength in groups. When effectively managing diversity can lead to new insights based on various experiences. But to do so, one must be prepared to approach differences with an open mind and a lack of prejudice. President John F. Kennedy was an Irish immigrant's grandson. Kennedy aptly described it as "America" in his speech "a community made up of immigrants who were all treated equally as they started over. This is the secret of America: a people with a vibrant memory of the past who dare to explore uncharted territory."The Economic Support of Resources
One of the four factors of production required for an economy to start producing goods is natural resources. Capital, entrepreneurship, and labor make up the other three. The tools, supplies, and chemicals needed for production are referred to as capital. The desire to turn an idea into a business is known as entrepreneurship. The workforce is labor. These elements offer the supply necessary to satisfy consumer demand in a market economy. Because production cannot occur without one of the categories, the economy does not exist.Resources: Renewable and Nonrenewable
There are two types of natural resources. The first type of resource is one that is replaced more slowly than it is used. These include the sun, wind, and water. Despite the possibility that we are approaching the sixth mass extinction, two categories—plants and animals—are still regarded as renewable. The second category of resources is nonrenewable resources, which humanity consumes more quickly than nature can replenish. These include minerals as well as crude oil, coal, and natural gas. Given that it will eventually burn out, the sun could be regarded as a nonrenewable resource. But since that won't happen for another 5 billion years, most people classify it as renewable. Both renewable and nonrenewable natural resources are plentiful in the U.S. The city's diverse population, representing various cultures, is what matters most because it infuses business endeavors with new concepts and creativity. Thanks to these advantages, America has risen to prominence as a major economic force in the world.Most Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do American natural resources function as a source of energy?
Coal, oil, and even the sun and wind are examples of natural resources used in the United States that literally give power to the energy sector. However, political, social, and economic power can be obtained through the ownership of natural resources. The government and private citizens of the United States are both able to own natural resources. In the form of wealth and clout, this ownership grants power.What remains of the United States' natural resources?
Some resources can be replenished in the United States, including crops, livestock, as well as solar and wind energy. However, there is a finite amount of nonrenewable resources. The remaining fossil fuels could run out in decades, with coal lasting 70 years, gas lasting 40 years, and oil lasting 30 years, according to Stanford University experts.