This map layer shows the number of dams per country and also gives information on the country’s total storage volume.
When, during the 20th century, numerous large dam projects were constructed all over the world with the aim of generating energy, the not only local but also far-reaching consequences of damming rivers became clear. While research into the physical and socio-economic effects forged ahead, until 2011 neither comprehensive global data on the geographical distribution nor the characteristics, e.g. storage volumes or dam functions, were available. The data shown in the map are sourced from the Global Water System Project, in which a wide network of researchers collected and added to existing data on dams (from a storage volume of over 0.1km3) into a comprehensive, global dataset.
© picture-alliance / dpa
Water - Conflict or cooperation?
Since the end of the 1980s, the link between environment (degradation), (violent) conflict and security has formed part of both public and political debates as well as social science research.
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