Bauxite: This mineral is used to make aluminum. Guinea in Africa is rich with it. Cashews: These delicious nuts grow on trees in Mozambique, a country in southeast Africa. Chewing Gum: The sapodilla tree of Central America is the source of chicle, which is what puts the chew in chewing gum. Chocolate: The seed of the cacao tree, which is found on many Caribbean islands, is used to make chocolate. Chromium: This metal is used to make stainless steel. There is plenty of chromium in Zimbabwe, Africa. Copper: One of the richest “copper belts” in the world is in Zambia, Africa. Cork: Bulletin boards and stoppers in wine bottles are both made of cork, which is the bark of the cork oak tree in Spain. Diamonds: Namibia, Africa, supplies the most valuable diamonds of the 18 countries in southern Africa rich with diamonds. Emeralds: Colombia produces the most emeralds of any country in South America. Gold: The world’s largest gold mine is in Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Mahogany: The trees that supply this beautiful wood grow in Central America. Nitrates: This mineral used to preserve foods is found in the desert of Chile. Perfume: In the south of France, flowers are grown for their oils, which are used in making perfumes. Seaweed: Off the coast of Japan, seaweed is harvested to eat or to flavor foods. Sugar: Sugarcane is grown in many countries in Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Vanilla: There wouldn’t be vanilla ice cream without the vanilla bean. More than half the world’s vanilla is grown in Madagascar. Wool: Most of the world’s wool is supplied by the sheep of Australia.
