2.1 Statistics of Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Large Terrestrial Surface Water Areas in the World
Due to the joint control of climate, geomorphology, and human activities, there is an uneven spatial distribution of global terrestrial surface water areas. The total maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas of the world in 2012 was 1.9090 million km², occupying 1.39% of the total land area of the world (Figure 2-1), while the total minimum area was 1.5759 million km², occupying 1.16% of the total land area of the world. The coefficient of variation (CV) of large terrestrial surface water areas of the world in 2012 is uneven（Figure 2-2）.The annual fluctuation of large terrestrial surface water areas was relatively large (Figure 2-3) as controlled by factors including water supply, regional climate and water use.

The rank of total large terrestrial surface water areas in 2012 by continents in descending order(Table 2-1) are North America, Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and the Oceania respectively.

Based on the maximum area of individual water bodies, globally, there were 17 lakes with greater than 10,000 km². They totaled up to 0.89151million km². There were 22 lakes or reservoirs whose areas were between 5000~10000 km² with a total of 0.1232 million km². There were 162 lakes or reservoirs whose areas were between 1000~5000 km²with a total area of 0.2759 million km². There were 2138 lakes or reservoirs whose areas were between 100~1000 km² with a total area of0.4643 million km².There were 4043 lakes and reservoirs whose areas were between 25~100 km²and their total area is 0.2083 million km² (Figure 2-4)

Based on the minimum area of individual water areas, globally, there were 16 lakes or reservoirs with greater than 10000 km² in maximum area. They totaled up to 0.8372 million km². There were 11 lakes or reservoirs whose areas were between 5000~10000 km² with a total of 0.0765 million km². There were 108 lakes or reservoirs whose areas were between 1000~5000 km² with a total area of 0.2261 million km². There were 1000 lakes or reservoirs whose areas are between 100~1000 km² with a total area of 0.2754 million km². There were 2404 lakes and reservoirs whose areas were between 25~100 km² and their total area is 0.1193 million km² (Figure 2-4).

2.2 The Distribution Characteristics within Climate Zones
Based on the Köppen Climate Classification, the richest zone of large water bodies in 2012 was in the Cold Without dry season, followed by Arid Steppe. The smallest water surface area was in the Cold Dry Winter and Polar Frost. The coefficient of variation (CV) is a measure of the evenness of the spatial distribution of water bodies. The greatest CV was in the Temperate Without dry season and Tropical Monsoon, where the water surface distribution was relatively concentrated. The smallest CV was in Cold Dry Summer (Table 2-2).

2.3 Statistics of Large Terrestrial Surface Water Areas by Continents
2.3.1 Spatial Distribution of Large Terrestrial Surface Water Area in Asia
In 2012, the total maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas in Asia was 0.6934 million km², accounting for 36.30% of the global total. The total minimum water area was 0.6207million km², accounting for 39.10% of the global total (Figure 2-5). The difference between the maximum and minimum was 0.0727million km² only. The annual fluctuation was small. The total area was second to North America.

The top 10 countries in Asia based on area of large terrestrial surface water in 2012 are: China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Turkey, India, Iran, Indonesia, and Thailand. The total area of maximum large terrestrial surface water areas in China was 67100 km², while the total of minimum area was 56400 km².
2.3.2 Spatial Distribution of Large Terrestrial Surface Water Area in Europe 
In 2012, the total maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas in Europe was 0.1342million km², accounting for 7.00% of the global total. The total minimum area of large terrestrial surface water areas was 0.1061 million km², accounting for 6.70% of the global total (Figure 2-6). The area difference between the maximum and the minimum was 28100 km². The annual fluctuation was not large. The total area of large terrestrial surface water areas in Europe ranked the fourth, followed by South America and Oceania.

In 2012, the top ten countries with the maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas in Europe were Russia, Finland, Sweden, Ukraine, Norway, France, Germany, England, Spain and Poland. Among those countries, the annual average area of large terrestrial surface water areas in Russia was the greatest, accounting for 55.97% of the European total.
2.3.3 Spatial Distribution of Large Terrestrial Surface Water Area in Africa
The 2012 total maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas in Africa was 0.2198 million km², accounting for 11.50% of the global total. The total minimum area of large terrestrial surface water areas was 0.1872 million km², accounting for 11.80% of the corresponding global total (Figure 2-7). The difference between the maximum and minimum was 0.0326 million km². The annual fluctuation was not large. The total area of large terrestrial surface water areas of Africa ranked the third in the world.

In 2012, the top ten countries with the maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas in Africa were Tanzania, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. Among those countries, the annual average area of large terrestrial surface water areas in Tanzania was the greatest, accounting for 27.17% of the African total.
2.3.4 Spatial Distribution of Large Terrestrial Surface Water Area in North America
The 2012 total maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas in North America was 0.7299 million km², accounting for 38.20% of the global total. The total minimum area of large terrestrial surface water areas was 0.5935 million km², accounting for 37.40% of the corresponding global total (Figure 2-8). The difference between the maximum and minimum was 0.1364 million km². The annual fluctuation was relatively large.

In 2012, the top ten countries with the maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas in North America were Canada, The United States, Nicaragua, Mexico, Greenland, Honduras, Cuba, Guatemala, Bahamas, and Panama. Among those countries, the total maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas in Canada and the USA were 0.3905 million km² and 75,400 km² respecitvely, while the total minimum area of large terrestrial surface water areas were 0.286 million km² in Canada and 51,900 km² in USA. Both countries were listed in the top two in North America, as well as in the world.
2.3.5 Spatial Distribution of Large Terrestrial Surface Water Area in South America
In 2012, the total maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas in South America was 0.0959 million km², accounting for 5.00% of the global total. The total minimum area of large terrestrial surface water areas was 65,100 km², accounting for 4.10% of the corresponding global total (Figure 2-9). The difference between the maximum and minimum was 30,800 km². The annual fluctuation was relatively large. Although the total area of large terrestrial surface water areas in South America was low, the rich amount of water resources in the Amazon Basin could largely compensate the low area of large lakes and reservoirs in this continent.

In 2012, the top ten countries with the maximum area of large terrestrial surface water areas in South America were Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Columbia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Surinam. Among those countries, the annual average area of large terrestrial surface water areas in Brazil was the greatest in South America. Brazil was one of the richest countries in water resources in the world also.

2.3.6 Spatial Distribution of Large Terrestrial Surface Water Area in Oceania
In 2012, the total of maximum large terrestrial surface water area in Oceania was 20,800 km², 1.09% of the global total. The total area of minimum large terrestrial surface water areas in Oceania was 13,100 km², 0.48% of the global total (Figure 2-10). The difference between the maximum and minimum area was 7,700 km². In general, as the smallest continent in the world, Oceania had the lowest amount of large terrestrial surface water area.

Based on 2012 statistics by countries in 2012, the large terrestrial surface water area in Oceania were concentrated in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. A small part is in countries else.