
Chapter 05 - Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability
3. Why do you suppose the blank areas on a population map generally coincide with the areas of higher
elevation on a topographical map? b. Why are the tropics an exception to this rule?
Except in the tropics, the population density decreases as the elevation increases
4. “International businesspeople, unless they are in the business of refining minerals or petroleum, have
no need to concern themselves with world developments in natural resources.” Agree or disagree with this
assertion, explaining your reasoning.
Students will want to disagree with this assertion. New discoveries may create markets in countries
5. Mountains, deserts, and tropical rain forests are generally culture barriers. Explain.
People on one side of the barrier frequently differ in language, economy, religion and race from those
on the other side. The east-west highland system of Europe separates Mediterranean culture from that
6. In 2005, Switzerland, a landlocked country, won the America’s Cup sailing competition. How might
this be explained using Porter’s factor conditions?
All of the natural factor conditions that the Swiss have inherited may be seen as disadvantages for
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