Our next stop is Kuwait. Kuwait has no...

Our next stop is Kuwait. Kuwait has no permanent rivers, and its extremely dry climate means naturally flowing freshwater is very limited. Like other Gulf countries, Kuwait relies heavily on desalination and groundwater. Now let's look at Malta. This tiny Mediterranean island nation has no permanent rivers. Instead, rainfall flows through temporary channels during wetter periods. So how can countries survive without rivers? The answer is technology, groundwater, rainfall collection, and careful water management. Desalination has become especially important for countries surrounded by seawater but lacking natural freshwater sources. Rivers may seem essential to civilization, but these countries prove that humans can adapt to even the driest environments. From enormous deserts to tiny islands, geography shapes how every nation survives. Which country surprised you the most? Subscribe to World Decoded for more fascinating stories hidden on our planet.