There are other resources that are missing from the game that are of economic importance, and you have to add them as a mod to civIII, in order to use them.
Hemp was important as it allowed for the creation of rope for use in making the rigging for the tall ships. It was also widely used in the making of clothing by local peasants throughout the ages. Even though modern age as we live, the textile industry, oil industry and even the lumber industry do not like hemp as an economic boon. Hemp was a very serious resource used during WWII, as it was a resource widely used as a lubricant for many machines in the manufacturing process, while oil was used widely only for the mechinations of war.
I agree that whale oil, was a very needed resource during the 17th and 18th century, but also was widely used in ancient times for the purpose of harnessing fire for illumination (original oil lamps), was widely used in the making perfumeries and soaps by the Romans as well as other civs. Whale meat was also a resource widely used by the Vikings, whale bone as a trade resource, also a means to sustain the warriors while at sea. Another such fish was also widely used, Candlefish. When dried, the Candlefish could be burned and provide illumination.
Another missing resource is kelp. Which is also another resource of significant economic resource. At least it was for many of the Asian civs, China used it as a food source as well with the invention of ice cream. And where would the japanese be without sushi
Pearls, Coral and Sponges.
Sponges was an economic resource for many of the mediterranean civs.
Another missing resource is salt. Both rock salt and sea salt. Without salt as a resource, many ancient civs would have perished within centuries. It is also a needed resource for the making of black powder: salt(sodium), pewter, and charcoal (carbon). The salt flats of Utah, were a source of Bauxite, which is a much needed resource in industry, especially in the production of steels and modern chemistry. One only needs to look to american history and see illustrations of the 12 horse wagon trains, that would haul Bauxite across the terrain to the east and to where industry required it for the manufacturing and production of steel.
China, Kampuchea(Cambodia), Central and South America and even North-Western America, all used Jade. North-Western America used Jade as a tradeable resource, as did the native peoples of Central and South America. Kampuchea used also as a tradeable resource. China used it, not only as a tradeable resource, but also in industry, as their first forges, used it to make anvils and hammers for metalworking. Even Mongolia, Japan and Korea used it as a tradeable resource.
Last words:-
Out of all the resources, the only one that is missing, that is very much needed, is Salt. Without the presence of salt, either from the earth or from the sea. No civ could be established without its presence. Economic resources aside.
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