AFRICA Africa
After Asia, Africa is the world's second largest continent. From the Sahara Desert to the Nile River, Africa contains many unique environmental features. Africa - Biodiversity Issues
Africa is home to one of the most diverse group of ecosystems in the world. Its plant and animals life is often found nowhere else, and the number of different living organisms is amazing. Africa - Economic Aspects
Africa is the poorest region in the world. The lack of development both creates problems and
prevents them. Africa - Environmental Aspects
Environmental destruction is not solely due to human activities; Africa's natural qualities have also contributed to these unfortunate problems. Africa - Major Forest Problems
Africa has many miles of tropical rain forests. For many years though, deforestation has been claiming
the trees. Africa - Major Land Problems
Africa has massive land resources. Unfortunately, much of the land is very low quality for human activities such as agriculture. Africa - Major Water Problems
Africa's water resources are scattered throughout the continent. While some areas receive more than enough water, others
experience constant drought. Africa - Marine Environments
The African coast extends for thousands of miles, and Africa's marine environments are home to many species. Africa - National Projects
Almost every African country has recently begun to plan for the future by developing strategies that will shape the future economy and
environment of the nation. Africa - Political Aspects
In recent years, many African countries have become democratic and liberalized politically. Africa - Regional Projects
Several major projects have developed recently to promote collaboration among African countries seeking to protect their environments. Africa - Social Aspects
Africa's population is booming. Problems from overpopulation, an increasingly dense population, war, famine, and other issues are all hurting the environment. EASTERN ASIA Eastern Asia
Eastern Asia and the Pacific areas are some of the most highly populated parts of the world and a variety of environmental problems are especially
threatening there. Eastern Asia - Biodiversity Issues
Eastern Asia is home to some of the world's most amazing biodiversity. It includes a wide array of plant and animal life, and contains many features unique to the region. Eastern Asia - Economic Aspects
In the early years of the 1990s, Asian development boomed, with
major consequences for the environment. Eastern Asia - Environmental Aspects
Eastern Asia receives much more than its share of natural disasters. In fact, 50% of the world's major emergencies have come in this area of the world. Eastern Asia - Major Forest Problems
Eastern Asia contains 17% of the forest area in the world,
a total of 655 million hectares. Unfortunately, deforestation is becoming a very large threat to the forests in the region. Eastern Asia - Major Land Problems
The land resources of Eastern Asia vary immensely between parts of the region. For the most part, the land is relatively poor in quality and quantity. Eastern Asia - Major Water Problems
There are regions of Eastern Asia that are very arid, and others that are very tropical. Overall, water supplies in the area are abundant. Eastern Asia - Marine Environments
Marine environments in Eastern Asia are coming under pressure as populations nearby grow and industry develops in the area. Eastern Asia - National Projects
Many Eastern Asian nations have begun in recent years to improve their environmental regulation policies. Eastern Asia - Political Aspects
Most governments in Eastern Asia have created a government ministry, agency, or a department, to deal with environmental issues. Eastern Asia - Regional Projects
Since the Earth Summit in
1992 many regional projects have started up and have been successfully implemented. Eastern Asia - Social Aspects
One of the biggest problems Eastern Asia is currently facing is the exploding population in the region, which is devastating the environment. EUROPE Europe
Europe is home to 15% of the world's population. The area includes Eastern and
Western Europe, as well as European Russia. Europe - Biodiversity Issues
Over 215,000 different species live in Europe, far fewer than in many areas of the world. Europe - Economic Aspects
The economics of Eastern and Western Europe remain quite different. Both areas pollute, and the levels of their emissions are both high. Europe - Major Forest Problems
Europe contains a total of 900 million hectares of forestlands, but has lost over 10% of its forestlands since the beginning of the 1960s. Europe - Major Land Problems
The process of land degradation is reaching high levels and becoming very dangerous in Europe. Europe - Major Water Problems
The distribution of water resources in Europe is far from equal, and is beginning to be the source of some significant problems. Europe - Marine Environments
European marine environments and coastal areas are threatened by a variety of environmental problems. Europe - National Projects
There are countless environmental projects going on now in Europe, and many people are becoming active about environmental issues. Europe - Regional Projects
The Environmental Action Program and other acts of international collaboration are aimed at working together to solve Europe's environmental problems. Europe - Social Aspects
Unlike in many developing regions of the world, Europe is not experiencing major population growth. Despite this, Europe is very densely populated and this puts pressure on the environment. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Latin America and the Caribbean
This region includes the island nations of the Caribbean Sea,
Central America, and South America. Latin America and the Caribbean - Biodiversity Issues
Latin America and the Caribbean have an extremely impressive level of ecological biodiversity. Many species and many different ecosystems can be found in the area. Latin America and the Caribbean - Economic Aspects
Industry is taking
off, and high rates of economic growth are still being experienced in many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Latin America and the Caribbean - Major Forest Problems
Latin America and the Caribbean have some of the largest forest areas in the world. While many of these forests remain in an amazingly natural state, many others have been destroyed on a greater scale than anywhere else in the
world. Latin America and the Caribbean - Major Land Problems
Latin America and the Caribbean contain 12% of the cropland currently being used in the world and 17% of the world's pastures. Latin America and the Caribbean - Major Water Problems
Latin America and the Caribbean have 13% of all the world's water supplies. But,
like in many other parts of the world, water resources are distributed on a highly inequitable basis. Latin America and the Caribbean - Marine Environments
Almost everyone in the Caribbean lives near the coast, a total of about 60 million people. This has had a highly negative impact on coastal and marine environments. Latin America and the Caribbean - National Projects
Many nations in Latin America and the Caribbean are developing a variety of environmental initiatives. Latin America and the Caribbean - Political Aspects
Many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have developed official government agencies or ministries to deal with environmental problems. Latin America and the Caribbean - Regional Projects
Nations in Latin America and the Caribbean have established a variety of agreements in recent years, many related to social and economic issues. Very often though, these treaties contain environmental agreements as well. Latin America and the Caribbean - Social Aspects
The population of Latin America and the Caribbean has exploded over the last decades. This and urbanization are exerting great
pressure on the environment. Latin America and the Caribbean - Urban Centers and Industry
Latin America is urbanizing at a faster rate than just about anywhere else in the world. Now, about 78% of the population lives in urban areas. NORTH AMERICA North America
North America includes the United States and Canada, two of the world's most
modern and wealthiest countries. North America - Biodiversity Issues
Canada and the United States are home to a tremendous number of diverse species. However, many species have been lost to extinction over the years. North America - Causes
North America is perhaps the most developed area in the entire world. The United States
and Canada both produce and consume vast quantities of goods, which has led to a variety of environmental problems. North America - Major Forest Problems
One-half of Canada and one-third of the United States are covered in forests. The region has long had tremendous forest resources, which have served it well in a variety of ways. North America - Major Land Problems
A variety of land problems have come about in North America from poor land usage and other forms of land degradation. North America - Major Water Problems
Overall, North America is well endowed in its water supplies. But, though a general abundance of water exists in the region, some areas commonly experience water shortages. North America - Marine Environments
By the year 2000, about one in four Canadians and three in four Americans will live near a coastal area. This will have a profound impact on the quality of North America's marine environments. North America - National Projects
In addition to a large amount of cooperation with each other, the United States and Canada have also developed extensive policy programs domestically. North America - Regional Projects
Because the US and Canada are very interested in environmental issues, a large amount of collaboration on saving the environment is to be expected. WESTERN ASIA Western Asia
The area of West Asia, or the Middle East, includes many countries in the Arab world. Included among these are Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, the West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen. Western Asia - Biodiversity Issues
Many of the native species in Western Asia could be killed off by modern development. This could mean a major loss of biodiversity for the region. Western Asia - Economic Aspects
Industrialization and mechanization are proceeding quickly and transforming not just the region's economy, but its environment as well. Western Asia - Major Land Problems
Much of Western Asia's land is becoming degraded. A variety of factors, some human and some natural, are responsible for this problem. Western Asia - Major Water Problems
Because so much of West Asia is desert, water is frequently very scare. However, some regions of the area do have abundant and dependable supplies of water. Western Asia - Marine Environments
Many people in West Asia live along the coast, often because major industries are located in that area. Fishing, oil production, and tourism all damage coastal ecosystems. Western Asia - National Projects
Over the last 20 years, many Western Asian countries have begun to make progress and establish environmental laws and enforcement agencies. Western Asia - Regional Projects
A variety of regional and sub-regional environmental groups and agreements have been made in West Asia. Western Asia - Social Aspects
The population of West Asia is growing at an amazing rate. This has led to environmental problems such as desertification. Western Asia - Urban and Industrial Problems
Cities in Western Asia have been growing at an amazing rate. They are quickly becoming some of the largest in the world, and some of the
most environmentally harmful. | 
