Category: Natural Resources
Norway Natural Resources: Oil, Gas, Forests and Hydro Power
Norway’s natural resources are anchored by immense North Sea oil and natural gas reserves alongside an extraordinary hydroelectric power system. In 2024, the nation produced approximately 2.0 million barrels per day of oil—ranking as Western Europe’s top producer—and reached a record gas output of roughly 124 billion cubic meters. What natural resources drive Norway’s sovereign…
Netherlands Natural Resources: Agriculture, Water and Gas
The Netherlands’ natural resources are limited in metallic minerals, but the country excels in strategic water management, fertile polder agriculture, and maritime fisheries, standing as the world’s leading flower exporter. It produces roughly 9.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year (2024) and holds 91 km³ of freshwater reserves. What are the main natural…
Switzerland Natural Resources: Water, Forests and Hydro Power
Switzerland’s natural resources center on abundant freshwater, extensive alpine forests, and hydroelectric energy, which generated 34.0 TWh in 2025 (Ember) and makes the nation a renewable electricity leader. What are Switzerland’s most important natural resources? Glacial river systems such as the Rhine and Rhône and major hydro facilities like Grande Dixence anchor an environmental framework…
Ghana Natural Resources: Gold, Cocoa, Oil and Lake Volta
Ghana’s natural resources are headlined by its status as Africa’s top gold producer (141 tonnes in 2024, ranking 6th globally), the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, and 56.2 km³ of freshwater resources anchored by Lake Volta—the world’s largest artificial reservoir by surface area. Ghana also holds 660 million barrels of crude oil reserves, 80,074 km² of…
Madagascar Natural Resources: Vanilla, Minerals and Endemic Wildlife
Madagascar’s natural resources are celebrated for unparalleled biological endemism, global agricultural leadership producing 42% of the world’s vanilla, and 336 km³ of freshwater reserves (27th globally). With 213 endemic mammal species (led by over 100 lemur varieties), 454 reptile species, 11,832 vascular plants, and the major Ambatovy nickel-cobalt mine, Madagascar is a global conservation priority.…
New Zealand Natural Resources: Water, Forests and Clean Energy
New Zealand’s natural resources are defined by 327 km³ of freshwater reserves, 99,503 km² of forests covering 37.8% of the territory, and an electricity grid powered 89% by renewables (38.4 TWh of renewable generation in 2025, Ember). Home to 91 endemic bird species including the iconic kiwi, New Zealand pairs extreme biological endemism with temperate…
South Africa Natural Resources: Platinum, Gold and Minerals Leader
South Africa’s natural resources are crowned by global mineral supremacy: holding 83% of world platinum group metal reserves in the Bushveld Complex, ranking as the top global manganese producer, and generating 238 million tonnes of coal (7th worldwide in 2023). Complementing its mineral wealth, South Africa contains 51.4 km³ of freshwater reserves and the Cape…
Thailand Natural Resources: Rubber, Rice and Natural Gas
Thailand’s natural resources are anchored by 457.2 km³ of freshwater reserves (ranking 21st globally), natural gas that generates 65.5% of its electricity, and agricultural leadership as the world’s top exporter of natural rubber ($5 billion) and second-largest exporter of rice. Supported by the Chao Phraya and Mekong river basins, Thailand also produces 176,984 barrels of…
Iraq Natural Resources: Major Oil Reserves and Twin Rivers
Iraq’s natural resources are anchored by colossal petroleum wealth, ranking 5th in the world with proven reserves of 145 billion barrels (EIA 2024 / OPEC) and producing 4.4 million barrels per day as OPEC’s second-largest producer. Hydrocarbons generate 88% of state revenue and over 90% of merchandise exports, supplemented by natural gas, sulfur, and large…
Algeria Natural Resources: Africa’s Top Gas Producer and Iron
Algeria’s natural resources center on hydrocarbons as Africa’s largest natural gas producer, pumping roughly 100 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2023 and holding 4.5 trillion m³ in proven gas reserves (11th globally). As Africa’s largest country by land area (2.38 million km²), Algeria also possesses 12.2 billion barrels of proven crude oil, substantial iron ore…
