Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife Resources

Code: 085BCH02

Two Lives, Two Worlds

In a small village in Tanzania, Africa, Mamba wakes up very early every morning. Her first task? To walk a long distance to fetch water. After hours of walking, she returns home, helps her mother with household chores, and joins her brothers in looking after their goats.

Her family owns only a small piece of rocky, infertile land around their modest hut. Despite her father’s hard work, he can grow only a little maize and beans—barely enough to feed the family for part of the year.

Contrast this with Peter, who lives in the heart of a sheep-rearing region in New Zealand. His family runs a wool processing factory, and their sheep graze on vast, rolling grassy plains with gentle hills in the distance. The farm is managed using scientific methods and modern technology. After school, Peter helps his uncle care for the sheep. His family also practices organic farming to grow fresh vegetables.

Why Are Their Lives So Different?

Mamba and Peter live in completely different parts of the world, and their lifestyles reflect that. These differences arise from variations in:

• Quality of land
• Type of soil
• Availability of water
• Natural vegetation and wildlife
• Access to technology

The availability and quality of these natural resources are key reasons why places—and people—differ so much across the globe.

LAND: A Vital Resource

Land is one of the most essential natural resources on Earth. However:

• It covers only about 30% of the Earth’s surface.
• Not all of this land is suitable for human habitation or use.

Factors like topography, climate, and soil fertility determine whether land can support agriculture, settlements, or industries.

Why Is Population Unevenly Distributed?

People tend to settle where land and climate are favorable. Areas with:

• Flat or gently sloping land
• Fertile soil
• Adequate rainfall
• Mild climate

...are more densely populated.

In contrast, regions with:

• Rugged mountains
• Steep slopes
• Low-lying areas prone to flooding
• Extreme climates (too hot, too cold, too dry)