Natural Resources in the United States

Farming Farmland is the most abundant natural resource in the country Farmland is the most abundant natural resource in the country Government gave people land if they agreed to farm improve on it in five years Government gave people land if they agreed to farm improve on it in five years –Homestead Act (1862) –Opened up the Great Plains to farming Exports equal $50 million annually Exports equal $50 million annually Nebraska 90% Farmland Nebraska 90% Farmland

Forestry Began in New England Began in New England –Used to make barrels, ships, and lumber Shifted to the South after the American Revolution Shifted to the South after the American Revolution –Rivers could be used for transportation year round By 1930, most forests in the East were converted to farmland By 1930, most forests in the East were converted to farmland –Indiana Most logging takes place in the Pacific Northwest Most logging takes place in the Pacific Northwest

Forestry contd. Trees are a renewable resource Trees are a renewable resource –Logging companies have strict regulations they must follow –This conserves and allows for replenishing of forests Forests have also been included in National Parks Forests have also been included in National Parks –This helps preserve the forests as well as the plants and animals that live in them

Mining Most abundant mineral in the United States is coal Most abundant mineral in the United States is coal –US produces one fifth of world’s supply –Pennsylvania, West Virginia Oil and Natural gas can also be found here Oil and Natural gas can also be found here –Texas, Alaska Other precious metals are found in the US Other precious metals are found in the US –Copper- Gold –Lead- Titanium –Uranium- Zinc

Movement New Technologies in transportation helped the US economy grow New Technologies in transportation helped the US economy grow Raw materials had to be moved to factories for production Raw materials had to be moved to factories for production Travel was difficult in early years because of geography Travel was difficult in early years because of geography

Water Many paper companies were built on rivers and other bodies of water to allow raw materials to be easily obtained Many paper companies were built on rivers and other bodies of water to allow raw materials to be easily obtained –Georgia Pacific Manmade waterways were eventually created to expand water transportation across the country Manmade waterways were eventually created to expand water transportation across the country –Canals Steam power created a faster mode of transportation along water ways Steam power created a faster mode of transportation along water ways

Land As railroads developed, land transportation became more important than water As railroads developed, land transportation became more important than water –Goods could be transported wherever track could be laid –Transcontinental Railroad Automobiles allowed transportation to be done anywhere in the United States despite geography Automobiles allowed transportation to be done anywhere in the United States despite geography –Tucking –Interstate Highway System

Telecommunications Communication relied on paper exchange Communication relied on paper exchange –Wells Fargo- Pony Express Samuel Morse invented the telegraph Samuel Morse invented the telegraph –1837 –Spread over the continent –Grew along side railroad lines Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone –1876 –1915 – Telephone lines stretched from coast to coast –Today, fiber optics, satellites, and wireless technology spread information across the world

Free Enterprise The US is devoted to freedom and independence The US is devoted to freedom and independence Free Enterprise system Free Enterprise system –Individuals can profit from their own businesses in an open market –Anyone can be successful if they work hard and follow the rules This idea draws many immigrants to the United States This idea draws many immigrants to the United States