Louisiana’s Economy

Resources and Rewards

Louisiana’s Resources

Section 3 - Vocabulary

Define mineral resources

Mineral resources are inorganic substances that were formed by the Earth’s geological process. They are nonrenewable resources.

Define nonrenewableNonrenewable means they can not be replaced by nature once they are taken from the environment.

List examples of mineral resources

• Oil – plants that decayed millions of years ago create oil used today.

• Natural gas – is used today as a source of energy for homes and industry

• Salt – During the Civil War an underground salt deposit was discovered on Avery Island.

• Sulphur – The town of Sulphur, in Calcasieu Parish was developed around this industry. Port Sulphur, in Plaquemines Parish was also named because of the its sulphur industry.

• Lignite – Brownish-black coal – found in DeSoto Parish.

Define biological resources

Biological resources are plants and animals. They are renewable.

Define renewableRenewable means they can replenish themselves over time.

List examples of biological resources

• Forest – Trees are Louisiana’s second largest income producer.

• Pulpwood – smaller softer trees shredded into pulp- later made into paper

• Wildlife – hunting wildlife is a source of food. It is generates millions of dollars each year for the Louisiana economy

• Selling of furs, hunting of wild animals such as turkey, dove, or quail, etc.

• Fish – some people fish for fun while others make a living from fishing

• Shrimp, oyster, crabs, crawfish, tuna, redfish, etc.

Define labor unions

Labor Unions are groups of workers organized to demand fair pay and safe working conditions.