Key learning points

1. Natural resources are materials or substances that occur naturally in the environment and can be used by humans.
2. We rely on natural resources for food, building and income.
3. Natural resources are distributed unevenly around the world.
4. Many countries lack certain natural resources and have to import them.
5. The natural resource trap can mean a wealth of resources negatively affects a country's development.

Keywords

• Natural resources - materials or substances that occur naturally in the environment and can be used by humans to meet their needs

• Renewable - can replenish naturally over short periods of time

• Non-renewable - take millions of years to form and cannot be quickly replaced

Common misconception