The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on the patterns displayed on the world map titled “Oil Consumption per Capita,” the correct answer would state that oil consumption per person is highest in economically developed and industrialized nations.
The map clearly illustrates a strong correlation between a country’s economic status and its per capita oil consumption. The darkest shades, representing the highest consumption levels, are concentrated in regions known for their high gross domestic product (GDP) and advanced industrial infrastructure. These areas include North America, specifically the United States and Canada; several countries in Western Europe; Australia; and oil-rich nations in the Middle East like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The reasons for this pattern are multifaceted. In highly developed countries such as the United States, high per capita consumption is driven by a combination of factors. These include a car-centric culture, extensive suburban living that necessitates long commutes, a complex logistics network for transporting goods across vast distances, and energy-intensive industries. Essentially, a high standard of living in these regions is closely linked to high energy use, with oil being a primary source for transportation and manufacturing.
Conversely, the lightest shades on the map, indicating low oil consumption per capita, are prevalent across much of Africa, South America, and parts of Asia. In these developing regions, lower levels of industrialization, less extensive transportation infrastructure, and lower average personal incomes mean that individual energy use is significantly less. Many people do not own personal vehicles, and the economies are often less reliant on heavy industry.
The oil-exporting countries of the Middle East present a unique case. Their extremely high per capita consumption is not only a reflection of wealth but is also fueled by heavily subsidized domestic oil prices, which make gasoline and electricity exceptionally cheap for their citizens. This encourages high usage for transportation, air conditioning, and water desalination.
