The breadbasket of a country or of a region is an area which, because of the richness of the soil and/or advantageous climate, produces large quantities of wheat or other grain. Rice bowl is a similar term used to refer to Southeast Asia;[1] California's Salinas Valley is sometimes referred to as America's salad bowl.[2][3] Such regions may be the subject of fierce political disputes, which may even escalate into full military conflicts.[4]
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For example: Ukraine in 1941–1944 during World War II:
Snyder, Timothy (12 October 2010). "The Economics of Apocalypse". Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin. New York: Basic Books (published 2010). p. 161. ISBN9780465002399. Food from Ukraine was as important to the Nazi vision of an eastern empire as it was to Stalin's defense of the integrity of the Soviet Union. Stalin's Ukrainian 'fortress' was Hitler's Ukrainian 'breadbasket.' [...] Hitler wanted Ukraine 'so that no one is able to starve us again, like in the last war.'