Tar sands, also known as oil sands, are a mixture of sand, clay, water, and a thick form of petroleum called bitumen. This natural resource is found in large deposits, primarily in places like Canada and Venezuela. Extracting oil from tar sands is more complex than traditional oil drilling, as it requires heating or using solvents to separate the bitumen from the sand. The process of extracting oil from tar sands can have significant environmental impacts, including deforestation and water pollution. As a result, the use of tar sands has sparked debates about energy production and climate change, with many advocating for cleaner energy alternatives to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.