Coal, iron and oil, the basic things in the industrial power today, are found in abundance in the country. She ranks second in the production of coal and iron ore but excels all nations in petroleum production.
Silver, gold, copper, zinc, bauxite and lead are other important minerals. The U.S.A. is however, quite poor in manganese, tin, mica and chromium. But the consumption of these minerals is very high if not the highest in the U.S.A. There are extensive deposits of molybdenum but nickel, tungsten and antimony are scarce.
In the northeastern U.S.A. New England produces only marble stones. Pennsylvania and West Virginia produce coal. Petroleum and natural gas are other sources of power. The central lowlands of the Midwest regions of U.S.A. are rich in minerals. The Eastern Interior coal fields of Illinois, South Western Indiana and Western Kentucky are very big in size and rank number two after Appalachian fields.
Kansas, Missouri and Iowa also produce some coal. Petroleum and natural gas are also produced here. Mid-continental oil field extends from Oklahoma to Kansas. Lake. Superior highlands are the main source of iron ore in U.S.A. and supply more than 80% iron ore to the country. The most important mineral resources of the Great Plains are petroleum and natural gas, which are found in both north and south regions. Dakotas and Kansas produce lignite. Petroleum is also found in the northern as well southern part of the region. The Williston Basin is an important oil field. Kansas and Dakota produce oil in large quantity. The largest natural gas field of U.S. is the Hugoton. The southern states of U.S. produce one-fourth of minerals of the country. Petroleum, coal, iron ore, sulphur, phosphate and salt are produced in large quantities. The southern region tops in producing the oil. Mid-continental oil field is largely in the South. The Gulf Coast Field, which is number, two in produc
ing petroleum is also located here along the Gulf of Texas and Louisiana. Texas ranks first in the production of oil in whole of U.S. Other oil-producing states are Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi. Reserves of bituminous coal are in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas.
The largest production of sulphur in the world is on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas. The chief mining region of the South U.S.A. is located near Birmingham. In the Rocky region particularly in the North Rocky region copper, gold, silver, lead and many other metallic ores are found and mined. Wyoming has some coal deposits and petroleum fields in its basin. Colorado plateau produces gold, silver and lead. Southern Rocky mountain regions also produces certain minerals of importance. Uranium ore is produced here. Cripple creek is gold mining town. Cascade Mountain region produces gold, copper and zinc. Alaska is famous for its gold. The greatest mining activity takes place near Jun
eau and Fair banks. Alaska produces tin, tungsten, platinum, antimony and mercury. Petroleum reserves have been established in the point Barrow region.
Hydro-electricity holds and important place in the industrial life of the U.S.A. Of the total electricity consumed within the country 19.3% is produced from water; 53.5% from coal; 21% from gas and 6.1% from oil.
Hydro-electric centres : The important centres are Niagara Falls; North-east region from Remen to Minnesota which includes the fall line; Appalachian region from Pennsylvania to Alabama; Kirkuk on the Mississippi; California valley, Colorado valley; Tennessee valley and Columbia river system.
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