Curiosity Corner: Which country has no rivers at all? |
Imagine opening a map and looking for blue lines. Blue lines usually mean rivers. Now imagine finding none at all. It sounds strange, doesn’t it? But there is a real country where no river flows across the land. That country is Saudi Arabia.Yes, not one permanent river runs through it. Here’s everything that you need to know about how that is even possible.
Why are there no rivers?
Saudi Arabia is mostly desert. Large parts of it are covered by sandy lands like the Rub’ al Khali, also called the Empty Quarter. It is one of the largest sand deserts in the world.Rivers need steady rain or melting snow from the mountains. Saudi Arabia gets very little rain each year. In many areas, the annual rainfall is less than 100 millimetres. That is very low compared to countries like India, where many places receive over 1,000 millimetres.Without regular rain, rivers cannot form and flow throughout the year. So, there are no permanent rivers.
But what happens when it rains?
Rain does fall sometimes. When it does, water rushes quickly across dry land. These temporary streams are called “wadis.”One well-known example is Wadi Hanifah near Riyadh. During heavy rain, water flows through it. But after some time, the water dries up.So technically, water moves across the land. But it does not stay long enough to become a river.
Then how do people get water?
This is where smart planning comes in.Saudi Arabia uses underground water stored deep below the earth. This water collected over thousands of years. The country also runs some of the world’s largest desalination plants.Today, Saudi Arabia is one of the top producers of desalinated water in the world. Through the process of salt removal, it transforms seawater from the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea into drinking water for urban areas.It is possible to live without rivers, but it requires careful planning.
How does this shape daily life?
Water is precious in Saudi Arabia. People are taught not to waste it. Gardens are planned carefully. Many homes use water-saving systems.Because there are no rivers, there are no riverbanks for picnics or boat rides. Instead, desert landscapes and oases shape the culture.
Are there other countries without rivers ?
Saudi Arabia is the largest country with no permanent rivers. A few very small countries, like some desert city-states, also do not have rivers. But Saudi Arabia stands out because of its size. It covers more than 2 million square kilometres, yet no river flows across it.That makes it unique on the world map.Nature works differently in every place. Some countries have mighty rivers. Others have snowy mountains. And some, like Saudi Arabia, have vast deserts and no rivers at all.Disclaimer: This article is based on widely accepted geographical data about Saudi Arabia’s climate and water systems. It refers to permanent rivers, not temporary rain-fed streams. Information is simplified for educational purposes for young readers.
