Class VIII Geography

Lesson 1 natural resources

D. Answer the following questions briefly.
1. Why does land have economic value in developed countries?
• The economic value of a resource may change with time.
• Land is a resource whose value can change with time.
• When agricultural land is developed into a commercial centre its economic value
increases.
2. Why does mineral wealth have little value in undeveloped countries?
The value of certain resource depends upon the economy of a country. For instance, large
reserves of coal and iron ore will have little value in undeveloped countries because they do not
have the required technology to extract such resources.
3. What are natural resources?
Naturally occurring materials which are used by humans in their natural form or with little
modification are known as natural resources. Some examples of natural resources are minerals,
soil, water, plants and animals.
4.What are human resources?
• Human resources include the people of a country involved in various professions.
• Humans possess knowledge, social and personal attributes, creativity, competencies and
the ability to work in order to produce goods of economic value.
• Humans are the most important resource as they are instrumental in the best utilisation of
natural resources.
5. How many natural resources do you use in a day?
Give your own answer.
E. Answer the following questions in detail.
1.Explain the different factors depending on which the value of natural resources may
vary.
The value of resource is determined by its quantity and quality, and its usefulness in the present.
Resources have three main characteristics:
utility, limited availability and potential for depletion or consumption. Following are some
factors which determine the value of a resource
• People from different cultural backgrounds attach different values to different resources.
Green tea is an important resource in Japan because of its health benefits and cultural
value. .
 • The value of certain resource depends upon the economy of a country. For instance, large
reserves of coal and iron ore will have little value in undeveloped countries because they
do not have the required technology to extract such resources. The same resources would
be invaluable for a developed industrial country.
• The value of a resource depends upon its demand. As the demand of a resource increases,
its value also increases. Such resources may include cotton, timber, food grains etc.
• Some resources are valued for their aesthetic quality. Beautiful landscapes are valued for
their majestic beauty. Handicraft and handloom fabrics, jute and other such products are
also resources of tremendous aesthetic value.
• The value of a resource also depends on its availability. People living in desert areas
attach great value to drinking water as it is a scarce resource for them. They conserve
water because sometimes they have to walk long distances to fetch it. In many places
people have to buy drinking water.
2.Give all the classifications of natural resources.
On Basis of Renewability
Renewable resources
Renewable resources are either inexhaustible or can be easily renewed and restored.
E.g.Solar and wind energy
Non-renewable resources
Non renewable resources are available in fixed quantities on Earth and cannot be renewed or
replenished by humans.
Eg: Minerals and fossil fuels are either inexhaustible or can be easily renewed and restored.
On Basis of Development and Use
Potential resources are the resources which are not being used by humans at present but have
the potential of providing great benefit if used. Eg: Sunlight.
Actual resources are the ones which are being utilised by humans. Eg: Coal deposits.
On basis of origin
• Biotic resources comprise plants and animals that are useful to humans. Example forest
Grassland and livestock.
• Abiotic resources comprise non living things or materials. Example land water and
power resources.
On basis of distribution
Localised resources are resources confined to certain Example coal.
Ubiquitous resources are resources which exist abundantly everywhere. Example air.
3. Differentiate between potential resources and actual resources.

Potential resources Actual resources

Potential resources are the ones which are not being
used by humans at present but have the potential of
providing great benefit if used.
The exact quantity of such resources is not known
Actual resources are the ones which are
being utilised by humans.
The quantities of such resources are
measurable.

These resources may be tapped in the future with the
development of suitable technology.
Sunlight has the potential for meeting the world's
energy requirements but sufficient amount of it
cannot be tapped at present due to lack of
technology.
The rich coal deposits found in the
Appalachian regions of eastern USA and
the mineral oil deposits of West Asia are
examples of actual resources.

4.Explain why human resources are most important.

Human Resources
• Human resources include the people of a country involved in various professions.
• Humans possess knowledge, social and personal attributes, creativity, competencies
and the ability to work in order to produce goods of economic value.
• Humans are the most important resource as they are instrumental in the best
utilisation of natural resources.
• Human-Made Resources
• Thee resources are created by humans from naturally available materials such as
garments manufactured from cotton, silk etc.
• Tyres are manufactured from natural rubber or from other synthetic materials created
from rubber.
• Technology is also a human-made resource.
5. Explain why some countries are rich while others are poor.

• Physical factors - some areas have a hostile or difficult landscape. This can make
development more difficult. Examples of this are very hot climates or arid (a lack of
water) climates which make it difficult to grow sufficient food.
• Economic factors - some countries have very high levels of debt. This means that they
have to pay a lot of money in interest and repayments and there is very little left over for
development projects.
• Environmental factors - some places experience environmental issues, which can prevent
them from developing. Examples might be extreme flooding or desertification.
• Social factors - some parts of the world have issues that are caused by people. These
include low levels of education, poor water quality or a lack of doctors.

• Political factors - some countries are at war or the government may be corrupt. Therefore
money does not reach the people who need it most and spending on areas such as
education and infrastructure may be insufficient.
• Natural resources - some countries have an abundance of raw materials such as oil or
precious minerals. These can be sold and the money invested into developing the country