Country with no river: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a country located in the Middle East, covering a large portion of the Arabian Peninsula. Despite its vast size and diverse landscape, it is one of the few countries in the world that does not have a permanent river. Here are some key reasons why Saudi Arabia lacks rivers:

Geographical Location:
- Saudi Arabia is primarily a desert country, with a significant portion of its landmass covered by the Arabian Desert. This arid landscape is characterized by vast stretches of sand dunes, rocky terrain, and minimal vegetation. The scarcity of rainfall in these regions contributes to the absence of permanent rivers.

Climate and Precipitation:
- The climate of Saudi Arabia is predominantly hot and dry, with extremely high temperatures and low rainfall throughout the year. The country experiences an arid desert climate, which hinders the formation and maintenance of rivers.
- The annual average rainfall in Saudi Arabia is quite low, with some regions receiving less than 100 millimeters of precipitation per year. This limited rainfall is insufficient to sustain the flow of rivers.

Underground Water Sources:
- Despite the absence of rivers, Saudi Arabia does have some underground water sources, such as aquifers and underground wells. These underground water reservoirs provide vital water resources for agricultural purposes and human consumption.
- The country heavily relies on desalination plants and underground water extraction to meet its water needs. These alternative sources compensate for the lack of rivers and support the growing population and agricultural activities.

Importance of Wadis:
- Although Saudi Arabia does not have permanent rivers, it does have intermittent water channels called wadis. Wadis are dry riverbeds that only carry water during periods of heavy rainfall or flash floods. They act as natural drainage systems during rare precipitation events.
- Wadis are crucial in providing temporary water supply and supporting the local ecosystem. These ephemeral streams help in replenishing underground water sources and sustaining plant and animal life in the desert regions.

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia stands out as a country without a permanent river due to its geographical location, arid climate, and limited precipitation. However, the presence of underground water sources and intermittent wadis helps to mitigate the absence of rivers and cater to the water needs of the country.

The smallest country without a river is Vatican City with a land area of 0.171 sq miles (0.445 sq km). It has no lakes, rivers or mountains and depends on Italy for its water supply