Of the total water on Earth, only about 2.5% of it is fresh water, and most of that is in the form of ice and snow.
Of the remaining freshwater, less than 0.3% is easily accessible as surface water or groundwater, while the rest is trapped in deep underground aquifers.
In terms of total volume, it is estimated that there are about 332 million cubic miles (1,386 million cubic kilometers) of freshwater on Earth, with over 68% of that volume being in the form of ice and snow, primarily in the polar ice caps.
The remaining fresh water is found in rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers, with smaller amounts also present in soil moisture, atmospheric water vapor, and within living organisms.
Where is the majority of freshwater found on Earth?
The largest reservoir of freshwater on Earth is the Antarctic ice sheet, which holds about 70% of the world's freshwater.
Other significant sources of freshwater include the Greenland ice sheet, glaciers in the Himalayas and other mountain ranges, and the vast network of rivers and lakes found throughout the world.
Overall, the distribution of freshwater on Earth is uneven, with some areas having abundant sources of water and others facing water scarcity.
Due to population growth, urbanization, and changing climate patterns, access to fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce in many parts of the world.
As such, it is important to carefully manage and preserve the world's freshwater resources for future generations.