Water Scarcity Around the World

According to the UN, approximately 1.2 billion people live in areas of physical water scarcity. Learn more about this serious global issue with our interactive graphic.

Hover your mouse over the dots on the map below to read how water scarcity has affected that region.

<area shape="circle" coords="110,157,4" title="Approximately 70% of California's water comes from the Sierra Nevada snowpack in the north, while 80% of demand for water lies in the bottom ? of the state. Only through massive water works and irrigation can water be provided to the major population centers in the south. To exacerbate the issue, 70% of residential water in Southern California is used outside the home for lawns and pools. In June of 2011, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a statewide water emergency, proclaiming a drought and warning of devastating effects to the prominent agriculture industry." "="" nohref="">