Macautotal: 1over 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)
Malawitotal: 6over 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2009)
Malaysiatotal: 38over 3,047 m: 72,438 to 3,047 m: 101,524 to 2,437 m: 6914 to 1,523 m: 8under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Maldivestotal: 3over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Malitotal: 82,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Malta total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Marshall Islandstotal: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Mauritaniatotal: 92,438 to 3,047 m: 51,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2009)
Mauritiustotal: 2over 3,047 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Mayottetotal: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Mexicototal: 246over 3,047 m: 122,438 to 3,047 m: 291,524 to 2,437 m: 85914 to 1,523 m: 82under 914 m: 38 (2009)
Micronesia, Federated States oftotal: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Moldovatotal: 5over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)
Mongoliatotal: 14over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 111,524 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)
Moroccototal: 32over 3,047 m: 112,438 to 3,047 m: 71,524 to 2,437 m: 10914 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)
Namibiatotal: 21over 3,047 m: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 13914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)
Naurutotal: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Nepaltotal: 11over 3,047 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 9under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Netherlandstotal: 20over 3,047 m: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 91,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Netherlands Antillestotal: 5over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1under 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)
Nigertotal: 102,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 6914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Nigeriatotal: 38over 3,047 m: 72,438 to 3,047 m: 121,524 to 2,437 m: 11914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Niuetotal: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Norfolk Islandtotal: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Northern Mariana Islandstotal: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Norwaytotal: 672,438 to 3,047 m: 131,524 to 2,437 m: 12914 to 1,523 m: 17under 914 m: 25 (2009)
Omantotal: 10over 3,047 m: 52,438 to 3,047 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Pakistantotal: 98over 3,047 m: 162,438 to 3,047 m: 191,524 to 2,437 m: 38914 to 1,523 m: 17under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Palautotal: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Panamatotal: 54over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 5914 to 1,523 m: 17under 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)
Perutotal: 57over 3,047 m: 62,438 to 3,047 m: 201,524 to 2,437 m: 14914 to 1,523 m: 13under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Philippinestotal: 85over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 28914 to 1,523 m: 35under 914 m: 10 (2009)
Polandtotal: 84over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 301,524 to 2,437 m: 39914 to 1,523 m: 7under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Portugaltotal: 43over 3,047 m: 52,438 to 3,047 m: 91,524 to 2,437 m: 5914 to 1,523 m: 13under 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)
Qatartotal: 3over 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Romaniatotal: 25over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 101,524 to 2,437 m: 11 (2009)
Russiatotal: 595over 3,047 m: 522,438 to 3,047 m: 1981,524 to 2,437 m: 129914 to 1,523 m: 99under 914 m: 117 (2009)
Rwandatotal: 4over 3,047 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Saint Barthelemytotal: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Saint Helenatotal: 1over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Saint Kitts and Nevistotal: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Saint Luciatotal: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 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 Grenadinestotal: 51,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Samoatotal: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Sao Tome and Principetotal: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 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)
Serbiatotal: 10over 3,047 m: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 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)
Slovakiatotal: 20over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 10 (2009)
Sloveniatotal: 6over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 2under 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 Africatotal: 148over 3,047 m: 102,438 to 3,047 m: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 52914 to 1,523 m: 68under 914 m: 12 (2009)
Spaintotal: 95over 3,047 m: 182,438 to 3,047 m: 121,524 to 2,437 m: 18914 to 1,523 m: 24under 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)
Sudantotal: 19over 3,047 m: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 91,524 to 2,437 m: 5under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Suriname total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Svalbardtotal: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Swazilandtotal: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Swedentotal: 152over 3,047 m: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 121,524 to 2,437 m: 76914 to 1,523 m: 25under 914 m: 36 (2009)
Switzerlandtotal: 43over 3,047 m: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 14914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 17 (2009)
Syriatotal: 29over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 161,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 5 (2009)
Taiwantotal: 38over 3,047 m: 82,438 to 3,047 m: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 11914 to 1,523 m: 7under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Tajikistantotal: 18over 3,047 m: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 6914 to 1,523 m: 3under 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)
Thailandtotal: 64over 3,047 m: 82,438 to 3,047 m: 111,524 to 2,437 m: 24914 to 1,523 m: 15under 914 m: 6 (2009)
Timor-Leste total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Togototal: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2009)
Tongatotal: 12,438 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)
Tunisiatotal: 16over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 71,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)
Turkeytotal: 90over 3,047 m: 162,438 to 3,047 m: 331,524 to 2,437 m: 20914 to 1,523 m: 17under 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 Islandstotal: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Ugandatotal: 5over 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Ukrainetotal: 189over 3,047 m: 122,438 to 3,047 m: 511,524 to 2,437 m: 24914 to 1,523 m: 6under 914 m: 96 (2009)
United Arab Emiratestotal: 24over 3,047 m: 112,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 4under 914 m: 2 (2009)
United Kingdomtotal: 307over 3,047 m: 92,438 to 3,047 m: 321,524 to 2,437 m: 125914 to 1,523 m: 77under 914 m: 64 (2009)
United Statestotal: 5,174over 3,047 m: 1902,438 to 3,047 m: 2291,524 to 2,437 m: 1,477914 to 1,523 m: 2,309under 914 m: 969 (2009)
Uruguaytotal: 9over 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 2under 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)
Vanuatutotal: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 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)
Vietnamtotal: 37over 3,047 m: 92,438 to 3,047 m: 51,524 to 2,437 m: 14914 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 Futunatotal: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
West Banktotal: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Western Saharatotal: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2009)
Yementotal: 18over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 91,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Zambiatotal: 9over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Zimbabwetotal: 19over 3,047 m: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 5914 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)
Algeriatotal: 862,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 19914 to 1,523 m: 41under 914 m: 23 (2009)
Angolatotal: 162over 3,047 m: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 32914 to 1,523 m: 78under 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)
Australiatotal: 1391,524 to 2,437 m: 17914 to 1,523 m: 110under 914 m: 12 (2009)
Austriatotal: 301,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 3under 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)
Belarustotal: 302,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 25 (2009)
Belgiumtotal: 16914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 15 (2009)
Belizetotal: 402,438 to 3,047 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 12under 914 m: 27 (2009)
Benintotal: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Bhutantotal: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Boliviatotal: 936over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 58914 to 1,523 m: 186under 914 m: 687 (2009)
Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal: 181,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 7under 914 m: 10 (2009)
Botswanatotal: 681,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 54under 914 m: 10 (2009)
Braziltotal: 3,2791,524 to 2,437 m: 87914 to 1,523 m: 1,547under 914 m: 1,645 (2009)
British Virgin Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Bulgariatotal: 801,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 6under 914 m: 73 (2009)
Burkina Fasototal: 241,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 13under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Burmatotal: 40over 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 12under 914 m: 23 (2009)
Burundi total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Cambodiatotal: 111,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 9under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Cameroontotal: 251,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 16under 914 m: 6 (2009)
Canadatotal: 8731,524 to 2,437 m: 73914 to 1,523 m: 373under 914 m: 427 (2009)
Cape Verdetotal: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Cayman Islandstotal: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Central African Republictotal: 382,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 12914 to 1,523 m: 17under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Chadtotal: 462,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 13914 to 1,523 m: 20under 914 m: 11 (2009)
Chiletotal: 2762,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 12914 to 1,523 m: 50under 914 m: 212 (2009)
Chinatotal: 57over 3,047 m: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 51,524 to 2,437 m: 10914 to 1,523 m: 13under 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 thetotal: 1681,524 to 2,437 m: 19914 to 1,523 m: 90under 914 m: 59 (2009)
Congo, Republic of thetotal: 191,524 to 2,437 m: 8914 to 1,523 m: 10under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Cook Islandstotal: 81,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Costa Rica total: 113 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 94 (2009)
Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 211,524 to 2,437 m: 7914 to 1,523 m: 11under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Croatiatotal: 451,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 7under 914 m: 37 (2009)
Cubatotal: 71914 to 1,523 m: 13under 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)
Djiboutitotal: 101,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Dominican Republictotal: 191,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 17 (2009)
Ecuadortotal: 317914 to 1,523 m: 38under 914 m: 279 (2009)
Egypttotal: 132,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 5under 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)
Eritreatotal: 10over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Estoniatotal: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Ethiopiatotal: 462,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 11914 to 1,523 m: 23under 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: 4under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Fijitotal: 24914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 19 (2009)
Finlandtotal: 73914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 70 (2009)
Francetotal: 1781,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 70under 914 m: 107 (2009)
French Polynesiatotal: 6914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Gabontotal: 311,524 to 2,437 m: 6914 to 1,523 m: 11under 914 m: 14 (2009)
Georgiatotal: 4914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Germanytotal: 2201,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 33under 914 m: 184 (2009)
Ghanatotal: 4914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Greecetotal: 14914 to 1,523 m: 2under 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)
Guineatotal: 121,524 to 2,437 m: 7914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Guinea-Bissautotal: 71,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Guyanatotal: 891,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 14under 914 m: 74 (2009)
Haititotal: 10914 to 1,523 m: 2under 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)
Hungarytotal: 262,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 10under 914 m: 11 (2009)
Icelandtotal: 931,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 27under 914 m: 63 (2009)
Indiatotal: 992,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 8914 to 1,523 m: 42under 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)
Irantotal: 183over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 9914 to 1,523 m: 139under 914 m: 33 (2009)
Iraqtotal: 29over 3,047 m: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 13under 914 m: 6 (2009)
Irelandtotal: 22914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 20 (2009)
Israeltotal: 171,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 14 (2009)
Italytotal: 311,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 11under 914 m: 19 (2009)
Jamaicatotal: 15under 914 m: 15 (2009)
Jan Mayentotal: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Japantotal: 32914 to 1,523 m: 4under 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)
Kenyatotal: 1651,524 to 2,437 m: 10914 to 1,523 m: 105under 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)
Kuwaittotal: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 1under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Kyrgyzstantotal: 111,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 9 (2009)
Laostotal: 321,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 9under 914 m: 21 (2009)
Latviatotal: 23under 914 m: 23 (2009)
Lebanontotal: 2914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Lesothototal: 23914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 18 (2009)
Liberiatotal: 311,524 to 2,437 m: 5914 to 1,523 m: 8under 914 m: 18 (2009)
Libyatotal: 78over 3,047 m: 42,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 14914 to 1,523 m: 41under 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)
Madagascartotal: 621,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 39under 914 m: 21 (2009)
Malawitotal: 261,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 15under 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)
Malitotal: 141,524 to 2,437 m: 5914 to 1,523 m: 6under 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)
Mexicototal: 1,498over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 65914 to 1,523 m: 426under 914 m: 1,005 (2009)
Moldovatotal: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 3under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Mongoliatotal: 31over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 24914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Montenegrototal: 2914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Moroccototal: 262,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 7914 to 1,523 m: 10under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Mozambiquetotal: 822,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 9914 to 1,523 m: 33under 914 m: 39 (2009)
Namibiatotal: 1082,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 22914 to 1,523 m: 73under 914 m: 11 (2009)
Nepaltotal: 361,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 30 (2009)
Netherlandstotal: 7914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 4 (2009)
New Caledoniatotal: 13914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 8 (2009)
New Zealandtotal: 791,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 31under 914 m: 45 (2009)
Nicaraguatotal: 1321,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 16under 914 m: 115 (2009)
Nigertotal: 181,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 14under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Nigeriatotal: 181,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 13under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Northern Mariana Islandstotal: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Norwaytotal: 31914 to 1,523 m: 6under 914 m: 25 (2009)
Omantotal: 118over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 71,524 to 2,437 m: 52914 to 1,523 m: 33under 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)
Panamatotal: 631,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 11under 914 m: 51 (2009)
Papua New Guineatotal: 5391,524 to 2,437 m: 9914 to 1,523 m: 63under 914 m: 467 (2009)
Paraguaytotal: 7841,524 to 2,437 m: 25914 to 1,523 m: 289under 914 m: 470 (2009)
Perutotal: 1442,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 24914 to 1,523 m: 39under 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)
Polandtotal: 412,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 5914 to 1,523 m: 15under 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)
Qatartotal: 2914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Romaniatotal: 28914 to 1,523 m: 7under 914 m: 21 (2009)
Russiatotal: 621over 3,047 m: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 131,524 to 2,437 m: 68914 to 1,523 m: 84under 914 m: 453 (2009)
Rwandatotal: 5914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Samoatotal: 2under 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)
Senegaltotal: 91,524 to 2,437 m: 6914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Serbiatotal: 181,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 9under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Seychellestotal: 6914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 5 (2009)
Sierra Leonetotal: 8914 to 1,523 m: 7under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Slovakiatotal: 15914 to 1,523 m: 8under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Sloveniatotal: 101,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 4under 914 m: 5 (2009)
Solomon Islandstotal: 341,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 8under 914 m: 25 (2009)
Somaliatotal: 522,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 19914 to 1,523 m: 23under 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)
Spaintotal: 581,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 17under 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)
Sudantotal: 1021,524 to 2,437 m: 18914 to 1,523 m: 56under 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)
Swazilandtotal: 13914 to 1,523 m: 6under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Swedentotal: 97914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 92 (2009)
Switzerlandtotal: 23under 914 m: 23 (2009)
Syriatotal: 751,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 15under 914 m: 59 (2009)
Taiwantotal: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 2under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Tajikistantotal: 8914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Tanzaniatotal: 1161,524 to 2,437 m: 19914 to 1,523 m: 63under 914 m: 34 (2009)
Thailandtotal: 411,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 13under 914 m: 27 (2009)
Timor-Lestetotal: 4914 to 1,523 m: 2under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Togototal: 6914 to 1,523 m: 4under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Tongatotal: 51,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Trinidad and Tobagototal: 3914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Tunisiatotal: 161,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 7under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Turkeytotal: 121,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 7under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Turkmenistantotal: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 2under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Turks and Caicos Islandstotal: 2914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Tuvalutotal: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Ugandatotal: 30over 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 6914 to 1,523 m: 15under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Ukrainetotal: 2362,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 7914 to 1,523 m: 12under 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 Kingdomtotal: 199over 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 22under 914 m: 173 (2009)
United Statestotal: 9,9212,438 to 3,047 m: 61,524 to 2,437 m: 158914 to 1,523 m: 1,757under 914 m: 8,000 (2009)
Uruguaytotal: 481,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 20under 914 m: 25 (2009)
Uzbekistantotal: 212,438 to 3,047 m: 2under 914 m: 19 (2009)
Vanuatutotal: 28914 to 1,523 m: 5under 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)
Vietnamtotal: 71,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Western Saharatotal: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Yementotal: 37over 3,047 m: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 51,524 to 2,437 m: 6914 to 1,523 m: 14under 914 m: 9 (2009)
Zambiatotal: 882,438 to 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 65under 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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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
Afghanistanlimited natural fresh water resources; inadequatesupplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing;deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down forfuel and building materials); desertification; air and waterpollution
Akrotirihunting around the salt lake; note - breeding place forloggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffonvultures is on the base
Albaniadeforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrialand domestic effluents
Algeriasoil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farmingpractices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleumrefining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to thepollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, inparticular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, andfertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water
American Samoalimited natural fresh water resources; the waterdivision of the government has spent substantial funds in the pastfew years to improve water catchments and pipelines
Andorradeforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributesto soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid wastedisposal
Angolaoveruse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributableto population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropicalrain forest, in response to both international demand for tropicaltimber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss ofbiodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution andsiltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
Anguillasupplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasingdemand largely because of poor distribution system
Antarcticain 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarcticozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million squarekilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultravioletlight passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, anAntarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shownto harm one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significantareas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Antigua and Barbudawater management - a major concern because oflimited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by theclearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall torun off quickly
Arctic Oceanendangered marine species include walruses and whales;fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover fromdisruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack
Argentinaenvironmental problems (urban and rural) typical of anindustrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation,desertification, air pollution, and water pollutionnote: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhousegas targets
Armeniasoil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energycrisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged forfirewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; thedraining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as asource for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart ofMetsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in aseismically active zone
ArubaNA
Ashmore and Cartier Islandsillegal killing of protected wildlife bytraditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing bynon-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Atlantic Oceanendangered marine species include the manatee, seals,sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening thedecline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes;municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, andeastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico,Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial wasteand municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, andMediterranean Sea
Australiasoil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development,urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising dueto the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing foragricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many uniqueanimal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeastcoast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened byincreased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limitednatural fresh water resources
Austriasome forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution;soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; airpollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired powerstations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austriabetween northern and southern Europe
Azerbaijanlocal scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (ApsheronPeninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to bethe ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severeair, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oilspills, from the use of DDT pesticide, and from toxic defoliantsused in the production of cotton
Bahamas, Thecoral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Bahraindesertification resulting from the degradation of limitedarable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastaldegradation (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 freshwaterresources (groundwater and seawater are the only sources for allwater needs)
Bangladeshmany people are landless and forced to live on andcultivate flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surfacewater; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results fromthe use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated bynaturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because offalling water tables in the northern and central parts of thecountry; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severeoverpopulation
Barbadospollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships;soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contaminationof aquifers
Belarussoil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of thecountry contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accidentat Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine
Belgiumthe environment is exposed to intense pressures from humanactivities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry,extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and waterpollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries;uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (nowresolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
Belizedeforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrialeffluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Benininadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatenswildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
Bermudasustainable development
Bhutansoil erosion; limited access to potable water
Boliviathe clearing of land for agricultural purposes and theinternational demand for tropical timber are contributing todeforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivationmethods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification;loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies usedfor drinking and irrigation
Bosnia and Herzegovinaair pollution from metallurgical plants;sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages anddestruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife;deforestation
Botswanaovergrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources
Bouvet IslandNA
Brazildeforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat andendangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to thearea; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and waterpollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other largecities; land degradation and water pollution caused by impropermining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills
British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA
British Virgin Islandslimited natural fresh water resources (exceptfor a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of theislands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)
Bruneiseasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Bulgariaair pollution from industrial emissions; rivers pollutedfrom raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forestdamage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soilcontamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants andindustrial wastes
Burkina Fasorecent droughts and desertification severely affectingagricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy;overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation
Burmadeforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water;inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease
Burundisoil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion ofagriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested landremains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitatloss threatens wildlife populations
Cambodiaillegal logging activities throughout the country and stripmining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailandhave resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (inparticular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens naturalfisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the populationdoes not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks becauseof illegal fishing and overfishing
Cameroonwaterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation;overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing
Canadaair pollution and resulting acid rain severely affectinglakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities,and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forestproductivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due toagricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities
Cape Verdesoil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood usedas fuel; water shortages; desertification; environmental damage hasthreatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sandextraction; overfishing
Cayman Islandsno natural fresh water resources; drinking watersupplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Central African Republictap water is not potable; poaching hasdiminished the country's reputation as one of the last greatwildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation