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Chapter 4
Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Natural resource | A material in the natural environment that people value and use to satisfy their needs. |
| Renewable resource | A natural resource that the environment continues to supply or replace as it is used. |
| Nonrenewable resource | A natural resource that cannot be replaced once it is used. |
| Fossil fuel | Any one of several nonrenewable mineral resources formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals and used for fuel. |
| Nuclear energy | A type of energy produced by fission- the splitting of uranium atoms in a nuclear reactor, releasing stored energy. |
| Water power | Energy produced from falling water to move machinery or generate electricity. |
| Geothermal energy | Energy produced from the earths intense interior heat. |
| Solar energy | Energy produced by the sun. |
| Primary economic activity | An economic activity that takes or uses natural resources directly, such as fishing or mining. |
| Subsistence farming | Farming that provides only enough for the needs of a family or a village. |
| Commercial farming | The raising of crops and livestock for sale in markets. |
| Secondary economic activity | An economic activity in which people use raw materials to produce or manufacture new products of greater value. |
| Cottage industry | A small scale manufacturing operation using little technology, often located in or near peoples homes. |
| Commercial industry | A large scale manufacturing operation that employs many people and produces large quantities of goods. |
| Tertiary economic activity | An economic activity in which people do not directly gather or process raw materials but pursue activities that serve other; service industry. |
| Quaternary economic activity | an economic activity that focuses on the acquisition, processing, and sharing of information, such as education or research. |
| Export | An item that is sent out of the country for sale. |
| Import | An item that is brought into the country for sale. |