This map is part of an Idea Set called MapMaker: World Water Map.
MAP SUMMARY
This map allows learners to explore the world’s water use and includes layers that learners can toggle on and off to examine:
- Total water demand
- Total water demand by use type
- Locations of freshwater stories created by participants in the Freshwater Externship, a collaboration of National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy.
Teacher Tip: First introduce these layers to your students independently, then consider conclusions you can draw from the map as a whole. (For context, one cubic kilometer (km³) of water is equivalent to one trillion liters, or 400,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.)
As you examine these layers, consider the following questions:
- Based on what you see in the maps, where do humans use the most water? What do they use water for in these areas? What patterns do you see?
- What are steps people can take to reduce demand for water in different regions of the world?
- What other information might you want to see on this map to learn more?
MAP LAYER
Water Demand: Average Annual Demand
This layer shows regions of the world where we are using the most water. The information is delineated in shades of brown – the darker the brown indicated on the map, the larger the demand for water in that region.
By clicking on various regions of the map, pop-ups open that display the average demand for water from 1989-2019. The pop-ups also show how we are using water in that particular location, displayed in a pie chart breaking down water demand by industry, irrigation and domestic use.
- Irrigation (in green): Water used to grow crops, including those eaten by humans and livestock
- Domestic (in purple): Water used in homes, including drinking water and lawn maintenance
- Industry (in yellow): Water used in production of goods or energy
How you can use this with your learners:
- Identify two regions on the map where there is high demand for water. What similarities and differences do you see between those two regions?
- What else would you like to know about regions with high water demand and low water demand?
MAP LAYER
Predominant Use By Greatest Water Demand
This layer shows the dominant water demand type prevalent in a particular area. It shows whether the water is predominately used for irrigation, domestic use or industry.
- Irrigation (shown in green): Water used to grow crops, including those eaten by humans and livestock
- Domestic (shown in purple): Water used in homes, including drinking water and lawn maintenance
- Industry (shown in yellow): Water used in production of goods or energy
Note: This layer is not displayed when the map is first opened. To show this layer, select "Map Layers" and select the "eye" icon.
How you can use this with your learners:
- Identify a region that has high demand from irrigation. What does this mean? Does this mean agriculture is driving demand?
- What does it mean when you see high demand from industry? From domestic use?
- Ask learners to draw conclusions based on water use and land use.
MAP LAYER
Freshwater Stories
In this layer, pinpoints on the map mark the locations of the stories told by participants in the Freshwater Externship, a collaboration of National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy.
These stories are the work of their authors and were not created by National Geographic Society or the Nature Conservancy. Maps may not reflect National Geographic Society map policy.
How you can use this with your learners:
- Select a point in an area of interest where an extern has created a StoryMap. Then click into the StoryMap and explore the story they are telling about that community.
- What is this community experiencing in relation to water demand
- How has water demand impacted the human and natural worlds?
