$NA (continued 15)

Vanuatu Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language, migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the new name of Vanuatu was adopted.

Venezuela Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, seeks to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalization and undermining regional stability. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.

Vietnam The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by Communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the Communist North and anti-Communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under Communist rule. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies, the persecution and mass exodus of individuals - many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants - and growing international isolation. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The country continues to experience small-scale protests from various groups, the vast majority connected to land-use issues and the lack of equitable mechanisms for resolving disputes. Various ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards of the Central Highlands and the Khmer Krom in the southern delta region, have also held protests. In January 2008, Vietnam assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term.

Virgin Islands During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.

Wake Island The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. All operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the survey and assessment.

Wallis and Futuna The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and Wallis by the British in 1767, but it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory.

West Bank The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999, Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March 2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platform acceptable to the international community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries. ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007 signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, and in June 2007, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip. ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of presidential decrees formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue. During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland, ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal of reaching a final peace settlement.

Western Sahara Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and claimed the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on the territory's final status has been repeatedly postponed. In April 2007, Morocco presented an autonomy plan for the territory to the UN, which the U.S. considers serious and credible. The Polisario also presented a plan to the UN in 2007 that called for independence. Representatives from the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front have met four times since June 2007 to negotiate the status of Western Sahara, but talks have stalled since the UN envoy to the territory stated in April 2008 that independence is unrealistic.

World Globally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating world wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about the environment, including loss of forests, shortages of energy and water, the decline in biological diversity, and air pollution; (h) the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of the US as the only world superpower. The planet's population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, and 6 billion in 2000. For the 21st century, the continued exponential growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances in medicine) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal weapons of war).

Yemen North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a delimitation of their border.

Zambia The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the [British] South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. The new president launched an anticorruption investigation in 2002 to probe high-level corruption during the previous administration. In 2006-07, this task force successfully prosecuted four cases, including a landmark civil case in the UK in which former President CHILUBA and numerous others were found liable for USD 41 million. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his abrupt death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his Vice-president Rupiah BANDA, who subsequently won a special presidential election in October 2008.

Zimbabwe The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the [British] South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign, which began in 2000, caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. The ruling ZANU-PF party used fraud and intimidation to win a two-thirds majority in the March 2005 parliamentary election, allowing it to amend the constitution at will and recreate the Senate, which had been abolished in the late 1980s. In April 2005, Harare embarked on Operation Restore Order, ostensibly an urban rationalization program, which resulted in the destruction of the homes or businesses of 700,000 mostly poor supporters of the opposition. President MUGABE in June 2007 instituted price controls on all basic commodities causing panic buying and leaving store shelves empty for months. General elections held in March 2008 contained irregularities but still amounted to a censure of the ZANU-PF-led government with significant gains in opposition seats in parliament. MDC opposition leader Morgan TSVANGIRAI won the presidential polls, and may have won an out right majority, but official results posted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Committee did not reflect this. In the lead up to a run-off election in late June 2008, considerable violence enacted against opposition party members led to the withdrawal of TSVANGIRAI from the ballot. Extensive evidence of vote tampering and ballot-box stuffing resulted in international condemnation of the process. Difficult negotiations over a power sharing agreement, allowing MUGABE to remain as president and creating the new position of prime minister for TSVANGIRAI, were finally settled in February 2009.

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Field Listing :: Airports - with paved runways

This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways (concrete or asphalt surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft. Country

Airports - with paved runways

Afghanistan total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Albania total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Algeria total: 57 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

American Samoa total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Angola total: 30 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)

Anguilla total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Antigua and Barbuda total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Argentina total: 156 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 65 914 to 1,523 m: 51 under 914 m: 10 (2009)

Armenia total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Aruba total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Australia total: 325 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 145 914 to 1,523 m: 142 under 914 m: 14 (2009)

Austria total: 25 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 14 (2009)

Azerbaijan total: 27 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Bahamas, The total: 23 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2009)

Bahrain total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Bangladesh total: 15 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Barbados total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Belarus total: 35 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Belgium total: 27 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 9 (2009)

Belize total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Benin total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Bermuda total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Bhutan total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Bolivia total: 16 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2009)

Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Botswana total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Brazil total: 721 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 171 914 to 1,523 m: 460 under 914 m: 56 (2009)

British Indian Ocean Territory total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

British Virgin Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Brunei total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Bulgaria total: 132 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 under 914 m: 97 (2009)

Burkina Faso total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Burma total: 37 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Burundi total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Cambodia total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Cameroon total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Canada total: 515 over 3,047 m: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 148 914 to 1,523 m: 251 under 914 m: 79 (2009)

Cape Verde total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Cayman Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)

Central African Republic total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Chad total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Chile total: 81 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 22 (2009)

China total: 425 over 3,047 m: 63 2,438 to 3,047 m: 132 1,524 to 2,437 m: 133 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 72 (2009)

Christmas Island total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Colombia total: 116 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 50 under 914 m: 15 (2009)

Comoros total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 26 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Congo, Republic of the total: 6 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2009)

Cook Islands total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Costa Rica total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 12 (2009)

Cote d'Ivoire total: 7 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009)

Croatia total: 23 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (2009)

Cuba total: 65 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 27 (2009)

Cyprus total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Czech Republic total: 44 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 18 (2009)

Denmark total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Djibouti total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Dominica total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Dominican Republic total: 16 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Ecuador total: 103 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 54 (2009)

Egypt total: 72 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 35 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2009)

El Salvador total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Equatorial Guinea total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Eritrea total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2009)

Estonia total: 13 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Ethiopia total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

European Union total: 1,995 over 3,047 m: 115 2,438 to 3,047 m: 341 1,524 to 2,437 m: 543 914 to 1,523 m: 421 under 914 m: 575 (2009)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Faroe Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Fiji total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Finland total: 75 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 14 (2009)

France total: 297 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 97 914 to 1,523 m: 82 under 914 m: 77 (2009)

French Polynesia total: 47 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Gabon total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Gambia, The total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Gaza Strip total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Georgia total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Germany total: 330 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 52 1,524 to 2,437 m: 58 914 to 1,523 m: 72 under 914 m: 135 (2009)

Ghana total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Gibraltar total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Greece total: 67 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 9 (2009)

Greenland total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2009)

Grenada total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Guam total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Guatemala total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Guernsey total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Guinea total: 5 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2009)

Guinea-Bissau total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Guyana total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Haiti total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)

Honduras total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Hong Kong total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Hungary total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Iceland total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

India total: 250 over 3,047 m: 20 2,438 to 3,047 m: 56 1,524 to 2,437 m: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 84 under 914 m: 14 (2009)

Indonesia total: 164 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 35 (2009)

Iran total: 133 over 3,047 m: 40 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 6 (2009)

Iraq total: 75 over 3,047 m: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Ireland total: 17 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 6 (2009)

Isle of Man total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Israel total: 30 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 6 (2009)

Italy total: 101 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 13 (2009)

Jamaica total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Japan total: 144 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 42 1,524 to 2,437 m: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 27 (2009)

Jersey total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Jordan total: 15 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Kazakhstan total: 67 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 9 (2009)

Kenya total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2009)

Kiribati total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009)

Korea, North total: 37 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Korea, South total: 72 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 22 (2009)

Kosovo total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Kuwait total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Kyrgyzstan total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Laos total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)

Latvia total: 20 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Lebanon total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Lesotho total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Liberia total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Libya total: 59 over 3,047 m: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Lithuania total: 32 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 19 (2009)

Luxembourg total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Macau total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Macedonia total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Madagascar total: 27 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Malawi total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)

Malaysia total: 38 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Maldives total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Mali total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Malta total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Marshall Islands total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Mauritania total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009)

Mauritius total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Mayotte total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Mexico total: 246 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 85 914 to 1,523 m: 82 under 914 m: 38 (2009)

Micronesia, Federated States of total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Moldova total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)

Mongolia total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)

Montenegro total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Montserrat total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Morocco total: 32 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)

Mozambique total: 23 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2009)

Namibia total: 21 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)

Nauru total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Nepal total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Netherlands total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Netherlands Antilles total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

New Caledonia total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

New Zealand total: 41 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Nicaragua total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Niger total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Nigeria total: 38 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Niue total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Norfolk Island total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Northern Mariana Islands total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Norway total: 67 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 25 (2009)

Oman total: 10 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Pakistan total: 98 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Palau total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Panama total: 54 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 30 (2009)

Papua New Guinea total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Paracel Islands total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Paraguay total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2009)

Peru total: 57 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Philippines total: 85 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 10 (2009)

Poland total: 84 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Portugal total: 43 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 11 (2009)

Puerto Rico total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 5 (2009)

Qatar total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Romania total: 25 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 (2009)

Russia total: 595 over 3,047 m: 52 2,438 to 3,047 m: 198 1,524 to 2,437 m: 129 914 to 1,523 m: 99 under 914 m: 117 (2009)

Rwanda total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Saint Barthelemy total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Saint Helena total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Saint Kitts and Nevis total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Saint Lucia total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Saint Martin total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Samoa total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Sao Tome and Principe total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Saudi Arabia total: 80 over 3,047 m: 31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Senegal total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Serbia total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Seychelles total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Sierra Leone total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Singapore total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Slovakia total: 20 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 10 (2009)

Slovenia total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Solomon Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Somalia total: 7 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

South Africa total: 148 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 68 under 914 m: 12 (2009)

Spain total: 95 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 23 (2009)

Spratly Islands total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Sri Lanka total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2009)

Sudan total: 19 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Suriname total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Svalbard total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Swaziland total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Sweden total: 152 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 36 (2009)

Switzerland total: 43 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 17 (2009)

Syria total: 29 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2009)

Taiwan total: 38 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Tajikistan total: 18 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Tanzania total: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Thailand total: 64 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 6 (2009)

Timor-Leste total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Togo total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2009)

Tonga total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Trinidad and Tobago total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Tunisia total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)

Turkey total: 90 over 3,047 m: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Turkmenistan total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Turks and Caicos Islands total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Uganda total: 5 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Ukraine total: 189 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 96 (2009)

United Arab Emirates total: 24 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

United Kingdom total: 307 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 125 914 to 1,523 m: 77 under 914 m: 64 (2009)

United States total: 5,174 over 3,047 m: 190 2,438 to 3,047 m: 229 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,477 914 to 1,523 m: 2,309 under 914 m: 969 (2009)

Uruguay total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Uzbekistan total: 33 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Vanuatu total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Venezuela total: 131 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 35 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 19 (2009)

Vietnam total: 37 over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2009)

Virgin Islands total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Wake Island total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Wallis and Futuna total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

West Bank total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Western Sahara total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2009)

Yemen total: 18 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Zambia total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Zimbabwe total: 19 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2009)

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@2031

Field Listing :: Airports - with unpaved runways

This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control. The type aircraft capable of operating from a runway of a given length is dependent upon a number of factors including elevation of the runway, runway gradient, average maximum daily temperature at the airport, engine types, flap settings, and take-off weight of the aircraft. Country

Airports - with unpaved runways

Afghanistan total: 35 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 9 (2009)

Albania total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Algeria total: 86 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 23 (2009)

Angola total: 162 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 78 under 914 m: 46 (2009)

Anguilla total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Antarctica total: 25 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 6 (2009)

Antigua and Barbuda total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Argentina total: 974 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 44 914 to 1,523 m: 522 under 914 m: 406 (2009)

Armenia total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Australia total: 139 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 110 under 914 m: 12 (2009)

Austria total: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 26 (2009)

Azerbaijan total: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Bahamas, The total: 39 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 22 (2009)

Bangladesh total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Belarus total: 30 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 25 (2009)

Belgium total: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 15 (2009)

Belize total: 40 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 27 (2009)

Benin total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Bhutan total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Bolivia total: 936 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 58 914 to 1,523 m: 186 under 914 m: 687 (2009)

Bosnia and Herzegovina total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (2009)

Botswana total: 68 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 54 under 914 m: 10 (2009)

Brazil total: 3,279 1,524 to 2,437 m: 87 914 to 1,523 m: 1,547 under 914 m: 1,645 (2009)

British Virgin Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Bulgaria total: 80 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 73 (2009)

Burkina Faso total: 24 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Burma total: 40 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 23 (2009)

Burundi total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Cambodia total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Cameroon total: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 6 (2009)

Canada total: 873 1,524 to 2,437 m: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 373 under 914 m: 427 (2009)

Cape Verde total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Cayman Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Central African Republic total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Chad total: 46 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 11 (2009)

Chile total: 276 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 50 under 914 m: 212 (2009)

China total: 57 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 26 (2009)

Colombia total: 876 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 35 914 to 1,523 m: 228 under 914 m: 612 (2009)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 168 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 90 under 914 m: 59 (2009)

Congo, Republic of the total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Cook Islands total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Costa Rica total: 113 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 94 (2009)

Cote d'Ivoire total: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Croatia total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 37 (2009)

Cuba total: 71 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 58 (2009)

Cyprus total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Czech Republic total: 78 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 50 (2009)

Denmark total: 64 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 61 (2009)

Djibouti total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Dominican Republic total: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 17 (2009)

Ecuador total: 317 914 to 1,523 m: 38 under 914 m: 279 (2009)

Egypt total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

El Salvador total: 61 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 47 (2009)

Equatorial Guinea total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Eritrea total: 10 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Estonia total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Ethiopia total: 46 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 9 (2009)

European Union total: 1,396 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 257 under 914 m: 1,110 (2009)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Fiji total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 19 (2009)

Finland total: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 70 (2009)

France total: 178 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 70 under 914 m: 107 (2009)

French Polynesia total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Gabon total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 14 (2009)

Georgia total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Germany total: 220 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 184 (2009)

Ghana total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Greece total: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 12 (2009)

Greenland total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Guam total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Guatemala total: 358 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 84 under 914 m: 270 (2009)

Guinea total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Guinea-Bissau total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Guyana total: 89 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 74 (2009)

Haiti total: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Honduras total: 94 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 77 (2009)

Hungary total: 26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 11 (2009)

Iceland total: 93 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 63 (2009)

India total: 99 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 47 (2009)

Indonesia total: 519 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 489 (2009)

Iran total: 183 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 139 under 914 m: 33 (2009)

Iraq total: 29 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 6 (2009)

Ireland total: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 20 (2009)

Israel total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 14 (2009)

Italy total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 19 (2009)

Jamaica total: 15 under 914 m: 15 (2009)

Jan Mayen total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Japan total: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 28 (2009)

Jordan total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Kazakhstan total: 32 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 13 (2009)

Kenya total: 165 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 105 under 914 m: 50 (2009)

Kiribati total: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Korea, North total: 42 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Korea, South total: 44 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 42 (2009)

Kosovo total: 4 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Kuwait total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Kyrgyzstan total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 9 (2009)

Laos total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 21 (2009)

Latvia total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2009)

Lebanon total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Lesotho total: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 18 (2009)

Liberia total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 18 (2009)

Libya total: 78 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 17 (2009)

Lithuania total: 55 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 51 (2009)

Luxembourg total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Macedonia total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Madagascar total: 62 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 21 (2009)

Malawi total: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 10 (2009)

Malaysia total: 80 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 73 (2009)

Maldives total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

Mali total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Marshall Islands total: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Mauritania total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Mauritius total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Mexico total: 1,498 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 65 914 to 1,523 m: 426 under 914 m: 1,005 (2009)

Moldova total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Mongolia total: 31 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Montenegro total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Morocco total: 26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Mozambique total: 82 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 39 (2009)

Namibia total: 108 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 73 under 914 m: 11 (2009)

Nepal total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 30 (2009)

Netherlands total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

New Caledonia total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

New Zealand total: 79 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 45 (2009)

Nicaragua total: 132 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 115 (2009)

Niger total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Nigeria total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Northern Mariana Islands total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Norway total: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 25 (2009)

Oman total: 118 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 25 (2009)

Pakistan total: 47 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 24 (2009)

Palau total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)

Panama total: 63 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 51 (2009)

Papua New Guinea total: 539 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 467 (2009)

Paraguay total: 784 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 289 under 914 m: 470 (2009)

Peru total: 144 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 79 (2009)

Philippines total: 169 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 66 under 914 m: 99 (2009)

Poland total: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 20 (2009)

Portugal total: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 21 (2009)

Puerto Rico total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 10 (2009)

Qatar total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Romania total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 21 (2009)

Russia total: 621 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 68 914 to 1,523 m: 84 under 914 m: 453 (2009)

Rwanda total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Samoa total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Saudi Arabia total: 137 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 72 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 16 (2009)

Senegal total: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Serbia total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Seychelles total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2009)

Sierra Leone total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Slovakia total: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Slovenia total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2009)

Solomon Islands total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 25 (2009)

Somalia total: 52 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 6 (2009)

South Africa total: 459 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 298 under 914 m: 125 (2009)

Spain total: 58 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 39 (2009)

Spratly Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Sri Lanka total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Sudan total: 102 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 28 (2009)

Suriname total: 45 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 40 (2009)

Svalbard total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Swaziland total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Sweden total: 97 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 92 (2009)

Switzerland total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2009)

Syria total: 75 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 59 (2009)

Taiwan total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Tajikistan total: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Tanzania total: 116 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 34 (2009)

Thailand total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 27 (2009)

Timor-Leste total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Togo total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Tonga total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Trinidad and Tobago total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Tunisia total: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Turkey total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Turkmenistan total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Turks and Caicos Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Tuvalu total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Uganda total: 30 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Ukraine total: 236 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 214 (2009)

United Arab Emirates total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2009)

United Kingdom total: 199 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 173 (2009)

United States total: 9,921 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 158 914 to 1,523 m: 1,757 under 914 m: 8,000 (2009)

Uruguay total: 48 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 25 (2009)

Uzbekistan total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 19 (2009)

Vanuatu total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 23 (2009)

Venezuela total: 275 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 103 under 914 m: 155 (2009)

Vietnam total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Western Sahara total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Yemen total: 37 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 9 (2009)

Zambia total: 88 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 65 under 914 m: 18 (2009)

Zimbabwe total: 196 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 119 under 914 m: 74 (2009)

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@2032

Field Listing :: Environment - current issues

This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain). Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England. Aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog. Afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire. Asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form. Biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption. Bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat. Biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume. Carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits. Catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar. DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972. Defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health. Deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g., unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as fuel) without planting new growth. Desertification - the spread of desert-like conditions in arid or semi-arid areas, due to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally productive soils, or climate change. Dredging - the practice of deepening an existing waterway; also, a technique used for collecting bottom-dwelling marine organisms (e.g., shellfish) or harvesting coral, often causing significant destruction of reef and ocean-floor ecosystems. Drift-net fishing - done with a net, miles in extent, that is generally anchored to a boat and left to float with the tide; often results in an over harvesting and waste of large populations of non-commercial marine species (by-catch) by its effect of "sweeping the ocean clean." Ecosystems - ecological units comprised of complex communities of organisms and their specific environments. Effluents - waste materials, such as smoke, sewage, or industrial waste which are released into the environment, subsequently polluting it. Endangered species - a species that is threatened with extinction either by direct hunting or habitat destruction. Freshwater - water with very low soluble mineral content; sources include lakes, streams, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers. Greenhouse gas - a gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower atmosphere causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata; the source for wells and natural springs. Highlands Water Project - a series of dams constructed jointly by Lesotho and South Africa to redirect Lesotho's abundant water supply into a rapidly growing area in South Africa; while it is the largest infrastructure project in southern Africa, it is also the most costly and controversial; objections to the project include claims that it forces people from their homes, submerges farmlands, and squanders economic resources. Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the 145,000 Inuits of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland in international environmental issues; a General Assembly convenes every three years to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and climate change. Metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science, technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of ground water and air when not properly disposed. Noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings. Overgrazing - the grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can naturally regrow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land. Ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms. Poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern with respect to endangered or threatened species. Pollution - the contamination of a healthy environment by man-made waste. Potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed. Salination - the process through which fresh (drinkable) water becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops. Siltation - occurs when water channels and reservoirs become clotted with silt and mud, a side effect of deforestation and soil erosion. Slash-and-burn agriculture - a rotating cultivation technique in which trees are cut down and burned in order to clear land for temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation; conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can have disastrous consequences for the environment. Soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products. Soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun and naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans. Waterborne diseases - those in which bacteria survive in, and are transmitted through, water; always a serious threat in areas with an untreated water supply. Country

Environment - current issues

Afghanistan limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution

Akrotiri hunting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on the base

Albania deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents

Algeria soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water

American Samoa limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines

Andorra deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal

Angola overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water

Anguilla supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system

Antarctica in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming

Antigua and Barbuda water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly

Arctic Ocean endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack

Argentina environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets

Armenia soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone

Aruba NA

Ashmore and Cartier Islands illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems

Atlantic Ocean endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea

Australia soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited natural fresh water resources

Austria some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe

Azerbaijan local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton

Bahamas, The coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

Bahrain desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources (groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs)

Bangladesh many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation

Barbados pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers

Belarus soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine

Belgium the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges

Belize deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal

Benin inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification

Bermuda sustainable development

Bhutan soil erosion; limited access to potable water

Bolivia the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation

Bosnia and Herzegovina air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife; deforestation

Botswana overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources

Bouvet Island NA

Brazil deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills

British Indian Ocean Territory NA

British Virgin Islands limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)

Brunei seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Bulgaria air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes

Burkina Faso recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation

Burma deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease

Burundi soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

Cambodia illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing

Cameroon waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing

Canada air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities

Cape Verde soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; water shortages; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing

Cayman Islands no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments

Central African Republic tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation

Chad inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification

Chile widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage

China air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species

Christmas Island loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining

Clipperton Island NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs

Colombia deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions

Comoros soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation

Congo, Democratic Republic of the poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage

Congo, Republic of the air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation

Cook Islands NA

Coral Sea Islands no permanent fresh water resources

Costa Rica deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution

Cote d'Ivoire deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents

Croatia air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife

Cuba air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation

Cyprus water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife habitats from urbanization

Czech Republic air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution

Denmark air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides

Dhekelia netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the spring and autumn

Djibouti inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land; desertification; endangered species

Dominica NA

Dominican Republic water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation

Ecuador deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands

Egypt agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources

El Salvador deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes

Equatorial Guinea tap water is not potable; deforestation

Eritrea deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare

Estonia air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to water bodies in 2000 was one-20th the level of 1980; in connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations

Ethiopia deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management

European Union NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster

Faroe Islands NA

Fiji deforestation; soil erosion

Finland air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

France some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff

French Polynesia NA

French Southern and Antarctic Lands introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet has caused severe damage to the original ecosystem; overfishing of Patagonian toothfish around Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen

Gabon deforestation; poaching

Gambia, The deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent

Gaza Strip desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources

Georgia air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals

Germany emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive

Ghana recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water

Gibraltar limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant

Greece air pollution; water pollution

Greenland protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting

Grenada NA

Guam extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

Guatemala deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution

Guernsey NA

Guinea deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage

Guinea-Bissau deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing

Guyana water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation

Haiti extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water

Heard Island and McDonald Islands NA

Holy See (Vatican City) NA

Honduras urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals

Hong Kong air and water pollution from rapid urbanization

Hungary the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments

Iceland water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment

India deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources

Indian Ocean endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea

Indonesia deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires

Iran air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization

Iraq government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification

Ireland water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff

Isle of Man waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollution

Israel limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides

Italy air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities

Jamaica heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions

Jan Mayen NA

Japan air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere

Jersey NA

Jordan limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Kazakhstan radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defense industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers that flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices

Kenya water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching

Kiribati heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk

Korea, North water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation

Korea, South air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing

Kuwait limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification

Kyrgyzstan water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices

Laos unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water

Latvia Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010

Lebanon deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills

Lesotho population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa

Liberia tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage

Libya desertification; limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities

Liechtenstein NA

Lithuania contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

Luxembourg air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland

Macau NA

Macedonia air pollution from metallurgical plants

Madagascar soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island

Malawi deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations

Malaysia air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires

Maldives depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching

Mali deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching

Malta limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

Marshall Islands inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels

Mauritania overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation

Mauritius water pollution, degradation of coral reefs

Mayotte NA

Mexico scarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities; rural to urban migration; natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; deteriorating agricultural lands; serious air and water pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border; land subsidence in Valley of Mexico caused by groundwater depletion note: the government considers the lack of clean water and deforestation national security issues

Micronesia, Federated States of overfishing, climate change, pollution

Moldova heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods

Monaco NA

Mongolia limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment

Montenegro pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor

Montserrat land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

Morocco land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters

Mozambique a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem

Namibia limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas

Nauru limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources

Navassa Island NA

Nepal deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions

Netherlands water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain

Netherlands Antilles NA

New Caledonia erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires

New Zealand deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species