The Ecological Footprint (EF) is a measure of the consumption of renewable natural resources by a human population. A country's EF is the total area of productive land or sea required to produce all the crops, meat, seafood, wood and fibre it consumes, to sustain its energy consumption and to give space for its infrastructure. The EF can be compared with the biologically productive capacity of the land and sea available to that country’s population.
To calculate the number of hectares available per capita, one adds up the biologically productive land per capita world-wide of arable land, pasture, forest, built-up land and sea space, excluding room for the 30 million fellow species with whom humanity shares this planet. At least 12 percent of the ecological capacity, representing all ecosystem types, should be preserved for biodiversity protection. Accepting 12 percent as the magic number for biodiversity preservation, one can calculate that from the approximately 2 hectares per capita of biologically productive area that exists on our planet, only 1.8 hectares per capita are available for human use.

Human Development Index (HDI) A composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development – a long and healthy life, knowledge and a decent standard of living. The HDI rank is determined using using HDI values to the sixthdecimal point. Performance in each dimension is expressed as a value between 0 and 1, the higher the number the better the result.

Life expectancy at birth The number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of age-specific mortalityrates at the time of birth were to stay the same throughout the child's life.

GDP per capita: Gross domestic product divided bymidyear population. GDP: The sum of value added by all resident producers in the economy plus any product taxes (less subsidies) not included in the valuation output. It is calculated without making deductions for depreciation of fabricated capital assets or for depletion and degradation of natural resources. Value added is the net output of an industry after adding up all the outputs and subtracting intermediate outputs.

Generally computed as the ratio of infant deaths (i.e. the deaths of children under one year of age) in a given year to the total number of live births in the same year.

The probabilty of dying between birth and exactly five years of age, expressed per 1000 live births.

Adult illiteracy (rates for adults above 15 years of age) reflects both recent levels of educational enrolment and past educational attainment. In so far as possible, data refer to the proportion who cannot, with understanding, both read and write a short simple statement on everyday life.

Annual growth rate (as %)

Urban population (as % of total) The midyear population of areas defined as urban in each country, as reported to the United Nations.

Population under age 15 (as % of total) Refers to the de facto population, which includes all people actually present in a given area at a given time.

Population over age 65 (as % of total) Refers to the de facto population, which includes all people actually present in a given area at a given time.

The percentage of the rural population using adequate sanitation facilities, such as a connection to a sewer or septic tank system, a pour-flush latrine, a simple pit latrine or a ventilated improved pit latrine. An excreta disposal system is considered adequate if it is private or shared (but not public) and if it hygienically separates human excreta from human contact.

Number of physicians per 1,000 people. Physicians are defined as graduates of any facility or school of medicine who are working in the country in any medical field (practice, teaching, research).

Probability at birth of surviving to age 65, female (% of cohort) The probability of a newborn infant surviving to the specified age if subject to prevailing patterns of age-specific mortality rates.

Probability at birth of surviving to age 65, male (% of cohort) The probability of a newborn infant surviving to the specified age if subject to prevailing patterns of age-specific mortality rates.

The percentage of people aged 15-24 who can, with understanding, both read and write a short, simple statement related to their everyday life.

Telephone mainlines per 100 people, connecting a customer's equipment to the public switched telephone network.

Cellular subscribers (also referred to as cellularmobile subscribers) Subscribers to an automatic public mobile telephone service that provides access to the public switchrd telephone network using cellular technology. Systems can be analogue or digital

Internet users: People with access to the world wide network.

GDP per capita annual growth rate: Annual GDP growth per person. Least squares annual growth rate, calculated from constant price GDP per capita in local currecy units.

Electricity consumption refers to gross production, which includes consuption by station auxiliaries and any losses in the transformers that are considered integral parts of the station. Also incuded is total electric energy produced by pumping installations without deduction of electric energy absorbed by pumping.

Population below income poverty line (%), $1 a day (1993 PPP US$) The percentage of the population living below the specified poverty line: $1 a day-at 1985 international prices (equivalent to $1.08 at 1993 international prices), adjusted for purchasing power parity.

Children under weight for age (% under age 5) Includes moderate and severe underweight

Percentage of people whose food intake is chronically insufficient to meet their minimum energy requirements.

Children reaching grade 5: The percentage of children starting primary school who eventually attain grade 5 (grade 4 if the duration of primary school is four years). The estimates are based on the reconstructed cohort method, which uses data on enrolment and repeaters for two consecutive years.

Ratio of girls to boys in primary education, calculated as the ratio of girls'enrolment to boys'.

Ratio of girls to boys in secondary education, calculated as the ratio of girls'enrolment to boys'.

Ratio of girls to boys in tertiary education, calculated as the ratio of girls'enrolment to boys'.

Ratio of literate females to males, age 15-24.

Women’s share of non-agricultural wage employment Employment in agriculture, industry or services as defined according to the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) system. Agriculture refers to activities in agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing. Industry refers to mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction and public utilities (gas, water, and electricity). Services refer to wholesale and retail trade; restaurants and hotels, transport, storage and communictions; finance, insurance, real estate, and business services; and community, social and personal services.

Seats in parliament held by women. Data refer to lower house only.

One-year-olds injected with an antigen or a serum containing specific antibodies agains measles (%)

The annual number of deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births.

The percentage of pregnant women between 15 and 24 years old who are infected with HIV.

AIDS estimated deaths, aged 0-49 years.

Condom use at last high risk sex, women aged 15 to 24 years (%)

Condom use at last high risk sex, men aged 15 to 24 years (%)

Orphans' school attendance rate as reported in household surveys, the proportion of children aged 10-14 who have lost both natural parents and are currently attending school. It is shown as a percentage of the children of the same age who live with at least one parent and are attending school.

The total number of deaths caused by malaria per 100,000 people.

The total number of deaths in 0-4 year olds caused by malaria (per 100,000)

The total number of malaria cases reported to the World Health Organization by countries in which malaria is endemic (per 100,000 people)

Children under five with bed nets treated with insecticide

The percentage of children under five who were ill with fever in the two weeks before the survey and received antimalarial drugs.

The total number of deaths caused by tuberculosis per 100,000 people. The data are compiled from reports provided at registration of death

Tuberculosis cases (per 100,000 people). The total number of tuberculosis cases reported to the World Health Organization. A tuberculosis case is defined as a patient in whom tuberculosis has been bacteriologically confirmed or diagnosed by a clinician.

Land covered by forest Forest and otehr wooded land as defined in the Food and Agriculture Organisation's Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000, as a share of the total land area.

Ratio of protected area to surface area Refers to totally or partially protected areas of at least 1000 hectares that are designated as national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, protected landsapes and seascapes or scientific reserves with limited public access. The data do not inculde sites protected under local or provincial law.

Consumption of ozone-depleting chlorofluocarbons The sum of production and imports minus exports of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) controlled under the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer. CFCs are synthetic compounds formerly used as refrigerants and aerosol propellants and known to be harmful to the ozone layer of the atmosphere. Under the Montreal Protocol, the CFCs to be measured are those found in prepolymers; aerosol products; portable fire extinguishers; vehicle air conditioning units; insulation boards, panels and pipe covers; and domestic and commersial refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment.

Rural population using improved water sources (%). The proportion of the population using any of the following types of water supply for drinking: piped water, a public tap, a borehole with a pump, a protected well, a protected spring or rainwater.

Urban population using improved water sources (%). The proportion of the population using any of the following types of water supply for drinking: piped water, a public tap, a borehole with a pump, a protected well, a protected spring or rainwater.

The percentage of the urban population using adequate sanitation facilities, such as a connection to a sewer or septic tank system, a pour-flush latrine, a simple pit latrine or a ventilated improved pit latrine. An excreta disposal system is considered adequate if it is private or shared (but not public) and if it hygienically separates human excreta from human contact.

Refers to people between the ages of 15 or 16 and 24 (depending on national definition), who are not in paid employment or self-employed, but are available for work and have taken specific steps to seek paid employment or self-employment.

Refers to women between the ages of 15 or 16 and 24 (depending on national definition), who are not in paid employment or self-employed, but are available for work and have taken specific steps to seek paid employment or self-employment.

Refers to men between the ages of 15 or 16 and 24 (depending on national definition), who are not in paid employment or self-employed, but are available for work and have taken specific steps to seek paid employment or self-employment.

Personal computers in use per 100 people. Self contained computers in use that are designed to be operated by a single user at a time

Telephone mainlines and cellular subscribers per 100 people

Poverty gap ratio: The mean distance below the $1 (1993 PPP US$) a day poverty line. The mean is taken over the entire population, counting the non-poor as having zero poverty gap. The measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.

Share of poorest 20% in national income or consumption: The share of income or consumption accruing to the poorest 20% of the population. Data on personal or household income or consumption come from nationally representative household surveys.

The number of pupils enrolled in the primary level of education who are of official school age for that level, as a percentage of the population of official school age for the primary level.

The percentage of estimated new infectious tuberculosis cases detected (diagnosed in a given period) under the directly observed treatment, short course (DOTS) case detection and treatment strategy.

The percentage of estimated new infectious tuberculosis cases cured under the directly observed treatment, short course (DOTS) case detection and treatment strategy.

Official development assistance (ODA) (as % of GNI) Grants or loans (net of repayments) to qualifying countries or territories, identified in part I of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of recipient countries, that are undertaken by the official sector with promotion of economic development and welfare as the main objective and are made on concessional financial terms.

Percentage of donor country's GNI disbursed as ODA to least developed countries. See official development assistance (ODA) net and country classifications for least developed countries.

ODA to basic social services, which include basic education (primary education, early childhood education and basic life skills for youth and adults), basic health (including basic health care, basic health infrastructure, basic nutrition, infectious disease control, health education and health personnel development) and population policies and programmes and reporductive health (population policy and administrative management, reproductive health care, family planning, control of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and personnel development for population and reproductive health). Aid to water supply and sanitation is included only if it has a poverty focus.

Untied bilateral ODA: Official Development Assistance for which the associated goods and services may be fully and freely procured in substantially all countries and that is given by one country to another.

OECD country support to domestic agriculture as % of GDP

Official development assistance received by landlocked countries, as percent of GNI.

Official development assistance or official aid received by small island developing states, as % of GNI

Total debt service: The sum of principal repayments and interest actually paid in foreign currency, goods or services on long-term debt (having a maturity of more than one year), interest paid on short-term debt and repayments to the International Monetary Fund.

Life expectancy at birth for men.

Life expectancy for women

Primary enrolment, male - indicate the number of male students enrolled in a level in the education system per 100 individuals in the appropriate age group. They do not correct for individuals who are older than the level-appropriate age.

Primary enrolment, female, indicate the number of female students enrolled in a level in the education system per 100 females in the appropriate age group. They do not correct for individuals who are older than the level-appropriate age.

Proportion reaching grade 5, male. The percentage of male pupils starting primary school who eventually attain grade 5 (Grade 4 if the duration of primary school is four years. 13 countries reported data to grade 4). Data are most recent within the years 1998-2000

Proportion reaching grade 5, female. The percentage of female pupils starting primary school who eventually attain grade 5 (grade 4 if the duration of primary school is four years). Data are most recent within the years 1998-2000

Secondary enrolment, male -indicate the number of male students enrolled in a level in the education system per 100 males in the appropriate age group. They do not correct for individuals who are older than the level-appropriate age.

Secondary enrolment, female -indicate the number of female students enrolled in a level in the education system per 100 females in the appropriate age group. They do not correct for individuals who are older than the level-appropriate age.

Male adult illiteracy (rates for men above 15 years of age) reflects both recent levels of educational enrolment and past educational attainment. In so far as possible, data refer to the proportion who cannot, with understanding, both read and write a short simple statement on everyday life.

Female adult illiteracy (rates for women above 15 years of age) reflects both recent levels of educational enrolment and past educational attainment. In so far as possible, data refer to the proportion who cannot, with understanding, both read and write a short simple statement on everyday life.

Births per 1000 women (15-19 ys) This is an indicator of the burden of fertility on young women. Since it is an annual level summed over all women in the age cohort, it does not reflect fully the level of fertility for women during their youth. The measure does not indicate the full dimension of teen pregnancy as only live births are included in the numerator. Stillbirths and spontaneous or induced abortions are not refelcted.

Contraceptive prevalence, any method. These data estimate the proportion of married women (including women in consensual unions) currently using any method of contraception. These numbers are roughly but not completely comparable across countries due to variation in the timing of the surveys and in the details of the questions. Unlike past years, all data refer to women aged 15-49.

Contraceptive prevalence, modern methods. These data estimate the proportion of married women (including women in consensual unions) currently using a modern method of contraception. Modern or clinic and supply methods include male and female sterilization, IUD, the pill, injectables, hormonal implants, condoms and female barrier methods. These numbers are roughly but not completely comparable across countries due to variation in the timing of the surveys and in the details of the questions. Unlike past years, all data refer to women aged 15-49. All data collected in 1995 or later.

HIV knowledge (15-24 ys), male.

HIV knowledge (15-24 ys), female.

Size of population

Current (2000-2005) period annual growth of national population.

The growth rate in urban areas

This measure indicates the number of children a woman would have during her reproductive years if in each five-year age interval from ages 15–49 she had the number of children that women of that age currently have in the population as a whole. The data refer to the average projected for the period 2000-2005.

Data for more developed countries are not available. The indicator is based on national reports on the proportion of births attended by “skilled health personnel or skilled attendant: doctors (specialist or non-specialist) and/or persons with midwifery skills who can diagnose and manage obstetrical complications as well as normal deliveries”. Data for more developed countries reflect their higher levels of skilled delivery attendance. Data estimates are the most recent available.

PPP GNI is gross national income (GNI) converted to international dollars using purchasing power parity rates. An international dollar has the same purchasing power over GNI as a U.S. dollar has in the United States. GNI is the sum of value added by all resident producers plus any product taxes (less subsidies) not included in the valuation of output plus net receipts of primary income (compensation of employees and property income) from abroad. Data are in current international dollars. This indicator measures the total output of goods and services for final use produced by residents and non-residents, regardless of allocation to domestic and foreign claims, in relation to the size of the population. As such it is an indicator of the economic productivity of a nation. It differs from gross domestic product (GDP) by further adjusting for income received from aborad for labour and capital by residents, for similar payments to non-residents, and by incorporating various technical adjustments including those related to exchange rate changes over time.

Central government expenditures on education. The indicator reflects the priority afforded to the education sector by a government through the government expenditures dedicated to it. The data are not sensitive to differences in allocations within sectors, e.g. primary education in relation to other levels, which vary considerably. Direct comparability is complicated by the different administrative and budgetary responsibilities allocated to central governments in relation to local governments, and to the varying roles of the private and public sectors. Reported estimates are presented as shares of GDP per capita. Great caution is also adviced about cross-country comparisons becuase of varying costs of inputs in different settings and sectors. Data refer to the most recent estimate 1998-2001.

Central government expenditures on health (% of GDP). The indicator reflects the priority afforded to the health sector by a government through the government expenditures dedicated to it. The data are not sensitive to differences in allocations within sectors, e.g. primary health care in relation to other levels, which vary considerably. Direct comparability is complicated by the different administrative and budgetary responsibilities allocated to central governments in relation to local governments, and to the varying roles of the private and public sectors. Reported estimates are presented as shares of total GDP. Great caution is also adviced about cross-country comparisons becuase of varying costs of inputs in different settings and sectors. Data refer to the most recent estimate 1998-2001.

This indicator relates to the incidence of mortality to male infants and young boys. It refelects therefore, the impact of diseases and other causes of death on infants, toddlers and young children. More standard demographic measures are infant mortality and mortality rates for 1 to 4 years of age, which reflect differing causes of and frequency of mortality in these ages. The measure is more sensitive than infant mortality to the burden of childhood diseases, including those preventable by improved nutririon and immunization programmes. Under-5 mortality is here expressed as deaths to children under 5 per 1000 live births in a given year. The estimate refers to the period 2000-2005.

This indicator relates to the incidence of mortality to female infants and young girls. It refelects therefore, the impact of diseases and other causes of death on infants, toddlers and young children. More standard demographic measures are infant mortality and mortality rates for 1 to 4 years of age, which reflect differing causes of and frequency of mortality in these ages. The measure is more sensitive than infant mortality to the burden of childhood diseases, including those preventable by improved nutririon and immunization programmes. Under-5 mortality is here expressed as deaths to children under 5 per 1000 live births in a given year. The estimate refers to the period 2000-2005.

This indicator reflects annual consumption of commercial primary energy (coal, lignite, petroleum, natural gas and hydro, nuclear and geothermal electricity) in kilograms of oil equivalents per capita. It reflects the level of industrial development, the structure of the economy and patterns of consumption. Changes over time can reflect changes in the level and balance of various economic activities and changes in the efficiency of energy use (including increases or decreases in wasteful consumption). Data are for 2000.

This indicator reports the percentage of the population with access to an adequate amount of safe drinking water located within a convenient distance from the user’s dwelling. “Convenient distance” is subject to individual country-level definitions. The indicator is related to exposure to health risks, including those resulting from improper sanitation. Data are estimates for the year 2000.

The indicator shows the average annual rate of overall price change for all goods and services included in GDP. Inflation occurs as a result of collective increases in the supply of money, in money incomes or in prices. Inflation is generally thought of as an inordinate rise in the general level of prices.

Direct investment from one country to the country mentioned. FDI: Foreign direct investment is net inflows of investment to acquire a lasting management interest (10 percent or more of voting stock) in an enterprise operating in an economy other than that of the investor. It is the sum of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, other long-term capital, and short-term capital as shown in the balance of payments. This series shows net inflows in the reporting economy.

The sum of net exports of goods and services, net income, and net current transfers recorded in the balance of payments (Source IMF)

Emissions of greenhouse gases, as reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by the Annex I parties. These figures are excluding land use, land use change and forestry. Detailed emission graphics, by Annex I countries are also available. Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and water vapour contribute to global warming. Read more about climate change at Wikipedia.

Projected emissions of greenhouse gases, revised approximately 2001 (see source, different for individual countries). Detailed emission graphics, by Annex I countries are also available. Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and water vapour contribute to global warming. Read more about climate change at Wikipedia.

Target of emissions, as mandated by the Kyoto protocol, defined as reduction or increased levels, with reference to the 1990 emissions. Detailed emission graphics, by Annex I countries are also available. Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and water vapour contribute to global warming. Read more about climate change at Wikipedia.

Emissions of greenhouse gases, as reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by the Annex I parties, calculated by person. Detailed emission graphics, by Annex I countries are also available. Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and water vapour contribute to global warming. Read more about climate change at Wikipedia.

Difference between the targets, mandated by the Kyoto Protocol, and the projected emissions without extra meassures. A positive value indicates that the projected emissions are higher than the targets, and that reductions are needed. Negative values indicate that the country's projected emissions are lower than the target (and that there is room for increased emissions). Detailed emission graphics, by Annex I countries are also available. Greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and water vapour contribute to global warming. Read more about climate change at Wikipedia.

Biomes are major habitat arrays that reflect the diverse array of organisms adapted to life on land. These habitats range from the wettest of forest types to the driest and hottest desert conditions. Moreover, terrestrial communities represented here include the full extent of continental topographic relief: from mangrove forests by the sea to the alpine meadows of the Himalayas.

The global distribution of the rapidly growing population is very uneven, mainly due to differences in climate, soil conditions, and natural and economic resources.

A topographical map displays differences in height, both on land and in the oceans. Topographic data are valuable for several applications, for instace the modelling of water runoff, climatic conditions and safe aircraft flight altitudes.

This map displays the major types of vegetation in the world. The map has been created from satellite images.

Precipitation in the form of rain and snow is important for life on Earth, and water is the strongest force that shapes the Earth’s surface. The map shows average precipitation during the period 1951 – 1980.

World WorldSat Color Shaded Relief Image represents a cloud-free view of the Earth produced by mosaicking hundreds of individual 1996 NOAA weather satellite images. These satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of 800 km (520 miles). The image has a cell size of 4 kilometers (at the equator). On completion of the base satellite mosaic, the land areas were enhanced with shaded relief imagery, derived from 1,000-meter digital elevation data, bringing the Earth's topography to life. For the Ocean areas, WorldSat incorporated ocean floor relief data (bathymetry), providing a view of the undersea topography.

This map shows the impact from the human society on the ecosystems of the world. Our influence from construction, cities and roads decrease the natural value and the biodiversity where we influence and put stress on the environment. The human population has grown in about 100 years from 1700 to over 6000 million people (see map over population density). At the same time, we in the 'rich' part of the world has had a strong growth in our use of natural resources (see map over ecological footprint). Compare this to the scenario that shows the human impact in 2050.

This map shows the impact from the human society on the ecosystems of the world in the year of 2050 according to the GLOBIO scenario. Our influence from construction, cities and roads decrease the natural value and the biodiversity where we influence and put stress on the environment. The human population has grown in about 100 years from 1700 to over 6000 million people (see map over population density). At the same time, we in the 'rich' part of the world has had a strong growth in our use of natural resources (see map over ecological footprint). Compare this to the scenario that shows the human impact in 2002.

Average January temperature through the years 1961-1990 collected from almost 25000 sampling stations around the world.

Average July temperature through the years 1961-1990 collected from almost 25000 sampling stations around the world.

Average annual temperature through the years 1961-1990 collected from almost 25000 sampling stations around the world. Calculated as an average of monthly averages.

Precipitation in the form of rain and snow is important for life on Earth, and water is the strongest force that shapes the Earth’s surface. The map shows average January precipitation during the period 1960-1999.

Precipitation in the form of rain and snow is important for life on Earth, and water is the strongest force that shapes the Earth’s surface. The map shows average July precipitation during the period 1960-1999.

Precipitation in the form of rain and snow is important for life on Earth, and water is the strongest force that shapes the Earth’s surface. The map shows average annual precipitation during the period 1960-1999.

Intact forest landscapes represents larger blocks of forested areas that have seen little impact and fragmentation from human activity. These sensitive areas harbor rich biodiversity and carries high natural value. Open landscapes are a mixture of forest and more open area, where the tree canopies don't cover more than 40% of the surface area.

Night time lights represents lights that are seen from space from human activity (excluding fire, but including e.g. gas flares). Most of the lights on land represent street lights in cities and towns in the year of 2003.

Landcover represents classes of the planet's surface that satellites can locate from space. It is not the same as vegetation zones, but related. The data in this theme represents the situation in the year 2000.

Climate change scenario, precipitation change 2000-2050. Brown areas in the map gets lets precipitation (dryer), while blue gets wetter in the year 2050. This is according to the NCAR-CCSM3 ensemble average for the IPCC SRES A2 experiment. This is a "business as usual scenario" which means high population growth, medium economical growth, high energy use and slow introduction of new and efficient technologies, among other things.

Climate change scenario, precipitation change 2000-2090. Brown areas in the map gets lets precipitation (dryer), while blue gets wetter in the year 2090. This is according to the NCAR-CCSM3 ensemble average for the IPCC SRES A2 experiment. This is a "business as usual scenario" which means high population growth, medium economical growth, high energy use and slow introduction of new and efficient technologies, among other things.

Climate change scenario, temperature change 2000-2090. Studies of climate change show that the annual average temperatures will increase at most places in the world. This is according to the NCAR-CCSM3 ensemble average model for the IPCC SRES A2 experiment. This is a "business as usual scenario" which means high population growth, medium economical growth, high energy use and slow introduction of new and efficient technologies, among other things.

Climate change scenario, temperature change 2000-2050. Studies of climate change show that the annual average temperatures will increase at most places in the world. This is according to the NCAR-CCSM3 ensemble average model for the IPCC SRES A2 experiment. This is a "business as usual scenario" which means high population growth, medium economical growth, high energy use and slow introduction of new and efficient technologies, among other things.

Natural mineral substance in the earth's crust that can be efficiently extracted for material production. Minerals originate by means of geological exogenic and endogenic processes. Accumulations of minerals form deposits. If the area of an occurrence is large, the deposits form regions, provinces, or basins.

The present-day extractive industry is actually a complex of mineral extraction and ore dressing industries. It includes fuel production and extraction of ore, chemical raw materials, and nonmetallic minerals. The extractive industry supplies regions and nations with raw materials and energy. A considerable portion of raw materials and energy are produced in developing countries, whereas they are consumed mainly by developed countries. Over the last two decades, new mineral deposits and fields have been exploited, resulting in an expanded total area of mineral reserves and mining. Intensive development of mining has a negative impact on the environment. In addition to causing high impact landscape changes, mining also causes air and water pollution.