🌍 Part 1: Understanding Global Water Composition

1. What percentage of Earth's water is saltwater?

75%

85%

97.5%

99%

2. What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater?

2.5%

15%

25%

50%

3. Where is most of the world's freshwater stored? (Check all that apply)

Glaciers and ice caps

Underground (groundwater)

Rivers and lakes

Atmosphere (water vapour)

🗺️ Part 2: Mapping Water Distribution

4. Using the map provided by your teacher, identify and draw the locations of major freshwater sources around the world:

5. Fill in the blanks about global water distribution:

The _____________ basin in South America contains one of the world's largest freshwater river systems. The _____________ Lakes in North America represent another major freshwater source. In contrast, regions like parts of _____________ and the _____________ East experience significant water scarcity.

6. Match the regions with their water availability characteristics:

1. Amazon Basin

2. Sahara Desert

3. Great Lakes Region

4. Middle East

A. Abundant freshwater lakes

B. Extremely limited freshwater

C. Rich river system and rainfall

D. Water scarcity challenges

📊 Part 3: Data Analysis and Patterns

7. Based on your mapping activity, describe three spatial patterns you observed about global water distribution:

8. Which factors might influence why some regions have more freshwater than others? (Check all that apply)

Climate and rainfall patterns

Proximity to mountains and glaciers

Distance from the equator

Presence of major river systems

Underground rock formations

9. Complete the data table below using information from your mapping activity:

Water-Rich Regions:

Region 1: _________________________

Main water source: __________________

Region 2: _________________________

Main water source: __________________

Water-Scarce Regions:

Region 1: _________________________

Reason for scarcity: __________________

Region 2: _________________________

Reason for scarcity: __________________

🏘️ Part 4: Impacts on Human Populations

10. How might uneven water distribution affect human populations? Explain three potential impacts:

11. Which human activities are most affected by water scarcity? (Check all that apply)

Agriculture and food production

Urban development

Industrial manufacturing

Population settlement patterns

Economic development

12. Research Extension: Name one traditional water management technique used by First Nations Australians and explain how it demonstrates sustainable water use:

💭 Part 5: Reflection and Conclusions

13. Based on your analysis, write one key conclusion about global water distribution and its importance for sustainability:

14. Exit Task: In 2 sentences, explain why freshwater is more valuable than saltwater for human use:

15. Name one region with scarce freshwater and one with abundant freshwater, and briefly explain why:

Water-scarce region: _________________ Why: _________________________

Water-abundant region: _________________ Why: _________________________

Global Water Distribution Mapping

Global Water Distribution Mapping

🌍 Part 1: Understanding Global Water Composition

🗺️ Part 2: Mapping Water Distribution

📊 Part 3: Data Analysis and Patterns

🏘️ Part 4: Impacts on Human Populations

💭 Part 5: Reflection and Conclusions

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

Explore more free resources