Freshwater reserves in the world are a valuable resource that is currently being looked after with much more detail and importance. This is because water, being a vital resource for life, could at some point become scarce, which represents a responsibility of the whole world for its preservation; and remember that 100% of the world only needs water. 3% of all water in the world is fresh water.
In this regard, although there are few countries that have the opportunity to have freshwater reservesthere are some important territories whose preservation has now become part of the global agenda.
Countries with the largest freshwater reserves in the world
In 2024, the world Bank has conducted a study revealing which countries have the largest and most significant freshwater reserves in the world. Surprisingly, three of the top five are in America. Can you guess which ones they are?
- Brazil: The South American country is home to the Guarani aquiferone of the largest on the planet, which extends over four countries, although most of its area is in Brazilian territory. In addition, the country is home to the Amazon Riverthe world’s largest river system, providing approximately 5,661 cubic kilometers of fresh water.
Guaraní Aquifer, the largest freshwater reserve in America. Photo: Ecoportal
- Russia: This European country has 4,312 cubic kilometers of fresh water and is home to important bodies of water, such as the Lake Baikalwhich is the deepest and has the largest volume of fresh water in the world. In addition, a significant portion of the Arcticwith its extensive ice reserves, is also part of its territory.
- Canada: It has a vast amount of lakes and rivers, It is home to 20% of the world’s fresh water, reaching approximately 2,850 cubic kilometers of this resource. Among its bodies of water, the Lake Superior.
Lakes in Canada where the largest freshwater reserves in North America are located. Photo: Lestresorsderable
- USA: One of the nations with the most territory in the world, It has 2,813 cubic kilometers of fresh water and has significant water resources, including those Great Lakes which it shares with Canada, in addition to having extensive infrastructure for the management and conservation of these resources.
- China: Despite facing serious problems of water distribution and quality, it has fundamental rivers such as the Yangtze and the yellowessential for its dense population and agriculture. Today, It has about 2,813 cubic kilometers of fresh water.
Where are the world’s largest freshwater reserves?
Only 3% of the world’s water is freshwhile 97% is salt water. This small fraction of fresh water is found in groundwater, lakes, rivers and in soil moisture, with Most of it stored in glaciers and ice caps.
The largest reserves of fresh water are stored in glaciers and frozen places on the planet, such as Antarctica. Photo: National Geographic
The continent with the largest freshwater reserve
The antartidaknown as the white continent, is characterized by its unique features. This continent receives between 101 and 152 mm of precipitation annually and, although it has no rivers or lakes, it contains 90% of the planet’s fresh water.
The countries in South America with the largest freshwater reserves
- Brazil It stands out for having the largest amount of freshwater resources in South America, mainly due to the Amazon River, which is the largest in the world, and its extensive basin that receives high levels of rainfall annually.
- Colombia It is rich in water resources, with significant rivers such as the Magdalena and the Cauca, and high rainfall that feeds numerous rivers and lakes.
- PeruAlthough much of its territory is desert, it has important rivers such as the Amazon and vast water reserves in its Amazon region.
- Venezuela It has a large amount of water resources, including Lake Maracaibo and the Orinoco River, which is one of the most important in South America.
- Argentina, Known for its arid zones, it also has significant water resources such as the Guaraní Aquifer, shared with Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and important rivers such as the Paraná and Uruguay.
