TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Amid the alarming realities of climate change, discovering which country has no river offers a fascinating glimpse into how geography shapes a nation's environmental challenges. As we explore surprising facts about the world, we begin to see how interconnected and vulnerable our environment truly is. It’s a call for each of us to take part in preserving what remains.
What Country Has No River?
Water is the lifeblood of any country, sustaining not only its people but also its wildlife and ecosystems. With so much depending on its availability, access to fresh water is a critical pillar of survival. Yet, in countries with no rivers, the absence of this natural resource pushes them to adopt innovative environmental strategies to avoid the looming threat of water scarcity.
Below is the list of countries that have no river, based on the data published by World Atlas, Map of the World, and other sources.
- Djibouti
- Comoros
- Libya
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Maldives
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Malta
- Yemen
- Uni Arab Emirates
- Kiribati
- Monaco
- Vatican City
- Tuvalu
- Tonga
- Nauru
The majority of countries that have no river are unsurprisingly desert nations where water is incredibly scarce. Shaped by unique geological conditions, these arid lands simply lack the natural flow needed to carve out true riverbeds.
Several other countries that have no river are tiny islands or compact city-states, facing water challenges just as pressing as those in desert regions. Despite their vastly different landscapes, these places share a common struggle that is sourcing enough water without the help of flowing rivers.
In the absence of one of nature’s most essential elements, these dry landmasses must rely on alternative water sources. Among many advanced technological measurements to safeguard their countries from water scarcity, these arid and island regions often imported water, utilized desalination, and underground aquifers.
Largest Country that Has No River
One of Asia’s richest countries, Saudi Arabia remains the biggest nation without a river. Spanning a vast 2,149,690 square kilometers, Saudi Arabia endures blistering summer temperatures that often soar to around 45°C.
According to the Map of the World, some regions in this desert nation haven’t seen a drop of rain in years. As a stark testament to its extreme climate, Saudi Arabia comprises 95% desert.
Saudi Arabia supplies its drinking water requirements from multiple sources: 50% from desalination of seawater, 40% from the non-renewable groundwater, and 10% from surface water in the mountain regions.
Smallest Country that Has No River
Vatican City is currently the smallest country that has no river, lake, or even mountain. With a land area of only 0.445 square kilometers, the religious city-state depends on Italy for its water supply requirements.
Whether vast deserts or tiny island states, each of these countries with no river has found its own way to survive without one of nature’s most vital resources. But, as climate change continues to test our global resilience, the ingenuity and adaptability of these riverless nations highlight the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
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