Which statement best summarizes Russia's natural resource situation?

Which statement best summarizes Russia's natural resource situation?

• A. They are limited and scarce
• B. They are all easily exploited
• C. They are located near major cities with good infrastructure
• D. They are numerous but located in areas that are not economically profitable to develop

Answer: (D)

Russia has a vast abundance of natural resources, but where they sit makes a big difference in how easy they are to use. Much of the oil, natural gas, coal, and metal deposits are in remote regions of Siberia and the Arctic, far from ports, processing plants, and reliable roads or railways. The extreme cold, permafrost, and great distances raise extraction and transportation costs, so turning these resources into profitable economic activity depends heavily on infrastructure, technology, and market conditions. Because of these factors, the resources are numerous even if development isn’t always profitable in every location. That’s why the statement that best fits is that Russia’s resources are plentiful but located in areas that aren’t always economically profitable to develop.

Russia has a vast abundance of natural resources, but where they sit makes a big difference in how easy they are to use. Much of the oil, natural gas, coal, and metal deposits are in remote regions of Siberia and the Arctic, far from ports, processing plants, and reliable roads or railways. The extreme cold, permafrost, and great distances raise extraction and transportation costs, so turning these resources into profitable economic activity depends heavily on infrastructure, technology, and market conditions. Because of these factors, the resources are numerous even if development isn’t always profitable in every location. That’s why the statement that best fits is that Russia’s resources are plentiful but located in areas that aren’t always economically profitable to develop.