Groundwater Resources of the World

This map provides data and information about the major groundwater resources of the world. About 35% of the area of the continents (excluding the Antarctic) is underlain by relatively homogeneous aquifers, 18% is endowed with groundwater, some of which are extensive, in geologically complex regions. Nearly half of the continental areas contain generally minor occurrences of groundwater that are restricted to the near-surface unconsolidated rocks, where groundwater resources are usually sufficient for small to medium-sized population centres. For more information, visit: www.whymap.org

Data and Resources

Field Value
access_constraints ["Unless otherwise specified, no restriction applies."]
bbox-east-long 180
bbox-north-lat 90
bbox-south-lat -90
bbox-west-long -180
contact-email t.carvalho-resende@unesco.org
coupled-resource []
dataset-reference-date [{"type": "publication", "value": "2017-01-29T23:00:00Z"}]
graphic-preview-description Thumbnail for 'Groundwater Resources of the World'
graphic-preview-file http://ihp-wins.unesco.org/uploaded/thumbs/layer-1a50fe38-e702-11e6-8719-005056bf7531-thumb.png?v=ae8fdec3
graphic-preview-type image/png
guid 1a50fe38-e702-11e6-8719-005056bf7531
licence []
metadata-date 2020-12-10T20:10:13Z
progress completed
resource-type dataset
responsible-party [{"name": "UNESCO-IHP", "roles": ["originator"]}]
spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-180.0, -90.0], [180.0, -90.0], [180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, -90.0]]]}
spatial-reference-system 4326
spatial_harvester true
Tags
  • amerigeo
  • amerigeoss
  • geo
  • geoss
  • global
  • groundwater
  • sdg
  • unesco
  • water
isopen False
metadata_created 2025-11-24T19:29:52.365668
metadata_modified 2025-11-24T19:29:52.365672
notes This map provides data and information about the major groundwater resources of the world. About 35% of the area of the continents (excluding the Antarctic) is underlain by relatively homogeneous aquifers, 18% is endowed with groundwater, some of which are extensive, in geologically complex regions. Nearly half of the continental areas contain generally minor occurrences of groundwater that are restricted to the near-surface unconsolidated rocks, where groundwater resources are usually sufficient for small to medium-sized population centres. For more information, visit: www.whymap.org
num_resources 18
num_tags 9
title Groundwater Resources of the World