Credentials and experience
- Education: Economist, Universidad de Antioquia (Medellín, Colombia).
- Experience: Covering the environment and sustainable development since 2013.
- Data work: research and direct work with the databases of the major international research bodies — the World Bank, the FAO, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the United Nations and the OECD.
- Approach: turning that data into a simple, visual format — tables, maps and charts that make each country’s environmental situation clear at a glance.
- Publications: 210 articles published on Desarrollo Sustentable since 2013, including 163 country profiles of natural resources.
- Location: Medellín, Colombia.
How this data is collected, verified and updated: editorial standards and methodology. For corrections or questions: juanmonto5@hotmail.com.
Sustainable Cities: What They Are and Real Examples
A sustainable city is a habitat that offers its residents quality of life without compromising the resources of future generations. By 2050 the number of people living in cities will multiply to 6 billion, which raises major challenges around water, energy, transport and pollution that demand cooperation between government, the private sector and citizens. What…
Non-Renewable Natural Resources: Types and Examples
Non-renewable natural resources are materials that exist in fixed quantities and, once used up, do not come back on a human timescale. What are the best-known non-renewable natural resources? Oil, coal, natural gas, metallic minerals such as lithium, and nuclear uranium. They took millions of years to form, they pollute when burned, and oil and…
Environmental Organizations: Who They Are and What They Do
Environmental organizations are institutions, NGOs or government bodies that study, monitor and protect the environment. WWF brings together more than 5 million volunteers across 100 countries, and the Global Environment Facility has provided more than US$22 billion in funding since 1991. What are environmental organizations, and how far does their reach extend? What do environmental…
What Are Renewable Resources? Types and Examples
Renewable natural resources are the ones nature regenerates at the same rate we use them or faster, so they do not run out if we use them in moderation. What are renewable natural resources? The sun, wind, water, biomass, geothermal heat and the tides. They produce fewer emissions than fossil fuels, and once the panels…
Spain Natural Resources: Copper, Forests and Solar Power
Spain’s natural resources stand out for its minerals, with copper output of 425,000 tonnes in 2020 placing it twelfth in the world, alongside notable forest and water wealth. Which natural resources in Spain matter most? Forests cover 37.19% of the territory, and emblematic species such as the Iberian lynx are part of its biodiversity. Spain…
Colombia Natural Resources: Water, Birds, Coal and Emeralds
Colombia’s natural resources span water, biodiversity, minerals and hydrocarbons: it is the sixth country in the world by freshwater reserves, with 2,132 km³, and annual rainfall above 3,000 mm. It hosts close to 10% of the world’s biodiversity and ranks first for bird diversity, with 1,969 species. What are Colombia’s main natural resources? Thanks to…
Chile Natural Resources: The World’s Top Copper Producer
Chile’s natural resources revolve around copper, of which it is the world’s leading producer, at some 5,300 thousand tonnes in 2024. Silver also stands out, where it ranks sixth in the world, along with a freshwater reserve of 922 km³, the thirteenth largest on the planet. What are Chile’s main natural resources besides copper? Chile,…
Peru Natural Resources: Copper, Silver and the Amazon
Peru’s natural resources span minerals, hydrocarbons and water that sustain its economy. In 2023 copper production reached some 2.6 million tonnes, second in the world behind Chile, while oil came to 38,391 barrels a day. Which natural resources in Peru carry global weight? Peru is fortunate in its wealth of natural resources. Its geographic position…
Costa Rica Natural Resources: Forests, Water and Green Power
Costa Rica’s natural resources stand out for water, forests and biodiversity. The country holds water reserves of 112.4 km³ and annual rainfall of 2,926 mm, the fifth highest in the world. Its forest area covers 59.44% of the territory and it records 857 bird species, among them the quetzal. Which natural resources in Costa Rica…
South Korea Natural Resources: Few Minerals, Vast Forests
South Korea’s natural resources include metallic minerals such as iron ore, gold, silver, copper, zinc and tungsten, along with coal, with a reserve of 359,353,060 tonnes (2023). It holds 68.7 km³ of fresh water and forests covering 63.2% of the territory. Which natural resources in South Korea matter most? South Korea, on the Korean peninsula,…
