Rivers are vital to a nation’s natural ecosystem, yet some countries lack these essential waterways.
In addition to providing fresh water, rivers support agriculture, facilitate transportation, and generate power through hydropower. However, nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Maldives thrive by utilizing alternative water sources. Here are ten countries around the world that do not have rivers:
Saudi Arabia
As one of the largest desert nations, Saudi Arabia primarily depends on underground aquifers and a vast network of desalination plants. The country excels in converting seawater into fresh drinking water, which meets about 50% of its needs. The absence of rivers has significantly impacted agricultural practices in the kingdom.
Bahrain
This small island nation has no rivers and relies on natural springs and desalination to convert seawater into drinking water, providing approximately 90% of its freshwater supply. Farmers depend on groundwater from wells, which is increasingly being depleted due to over-extraction and limited rainfall.
Malta
Malta, another island nation, relies mainly on rainfall and groundwater while investing in desalination plants that convert seawater into potable water, supplying around 70% of the island’s drinking water.
Kuwait
Known for its dry climate and scarcity of freshwater, Kuwait produces most of its water supply through desalination technology, which transforms saltwater into drinking water.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE is one of the largest producers of desalinated water globally, with facilities providing about 80% of its water supply. Due to its arid climate and limited freshwater resources, the UAE has made significant investments in desalination technology.
Qatar
Lacking natural rivers, Qatar primarily relies on alternative water sources. The country’s arid climate has led to a severe shortage of freshwater, prompting extensive investment in desalination plants that convert saltwater into drinking water, which accounts for about 99% of Qatar’s water supply.
Libya
Libya also lacks rivers and faces challenges due to its desert landscape. The main water sources are aquifers and the Great Man-Made River (GMR) project, which began in the 1980s. This ambitious project consists of a vast network of pipelines delivering fossil water from Sahara Desert aquifers to coastal communities for agriculture and consumption.
Yemen
Yemen suffers significantly from the absence of rivers, relying on seasonal rainfall and subterranean aquifers. As a desert nation, water scarcity poses a major issue for its citizens, compounded by over-extraction of groundwater. The ongoing conflict has exacerbated the water crisis in recent years.
Oman
Oman, too, lacks rivers and depends on underground aquifers and seasonal rainfall. To cope with water scarcity, Omani culture has developed a traditional irrigation system called falaj, which channels groundwater to agricultural areas.
Vatican City
As the smallest independent state in the world, Vatican City faces unique challenges due to its lack of rivers. The Vatican relies primarily on external water supplies, including Rome’s extensive aqueduct system.
