Natural resources are materials or substances that are found in the natural world and can be used for economic gain. They can be renewable or non-renewable and can be grouped into four broad categories:
1. Energy resources: These are resources that provide energy for heat, electricity, and transportation. Examples of energy resources include coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, and renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower.
2. Mineral resources: These are resources that are used for economic purposes such as building materials, metals, and gemstones. Examples of mineral resources include iron ore, copper, gold, silver, diamonds, and lead.
3. Soil resources: These are resources that are essential for agriculture and horticulture. Examples of soil resources include fertile land, water, and nutrients.
4. Water resources: These are resources that include freshwater and seawater. Freshwater resources are used for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes. Seawater resources are used for fishing, transportation, and recreation.
In most parts of the world, a combination of these resources can be found, each playing a vital role in the economic activity of that region.
The availability of these resources can determine the economic development of a region and its ability to meet the needs of its population.