Summary

This volume provides a modern assessment of the state of the world's water resources. It collects in one place a huge amount of data. A uniform methodological approach for each continent is then built upon to analyse the dynamics of water resources, water use and water availability for the Earth as a whole, and for all natural-economic regions and selected countries, as well as river water inflow to the World Ocean. A dependence of water resources and water use upon climate factors and socio-economic conditions is demonstrated. Regions of water stress and deficit are highlighted, and a great increase of such regions in the future is forecast if present trends towards water use remain. The effect of anthropogenic climate change on water resources and water needs is also considered. This volume will prove to be an invaluable resource for all researchers and policy-makers involved in water resource issues.