The Boundaries

RCA identities (names, numbers, territories) are Commission output, not constitutional text, under Section 1.0.1(s)(3). Schedule A publishes id, name, population and ecosystem and states no boundary. Every line on this map is a reconstruction fitted to those figures, not a Covenant boundary.

The 48 assemblies, drawn on watershed evidence

Borders

Show Councils Sea zones

Choose an assembly on the map or in the roster to read its endowment and constraint.

Key

arid
basin
boreal
coastal
ice
island
mixed
plateau
rainforest
an assembly's sea zone
a border today
council merging peoples

Color is ecosystem, not identity, so the names are drawn on the map rather than left to a hover. Choosing an assembly here or in the roster lights it and dims the rest, because forty-eight filled shapes at once say nothing about any one of them.

The roster

Schedule A.1: the 48 Regional Coordinating Assemblies, with the population each derived boundary actually contains. Choose one to find it on the map.
#	Ecosystem	Schedule A	Derived	Endowment and constraint
1	plateau	419.0M	420.5M	East Asia's energy-industrial core: the world's largest coal belt and rare-earth monopoly (Ordos, Bayan Obo), dominant shares of steel, refining, gold, bauxite, and uranium, Bohai offshore oil, and a grain belt producing one-third of the region's food. Constraint: extreme water scarcity; the basin holds 2 percent of the region's water resources for one-third of its grain, the North China Plain aquifers are depleted, and Yellow River outflow has declined more than 80 percent.
Ecosystem plateau Schedule A 419.0M Derived 420.5M East Asia's energy-industrial core: the world's largest coal belt and rare-earth monopoly (Ordos, Bayan Obo), dominant shares of steel, refining, gold, bauxite, and uranium, Bohai offshore oil, and a grain belt producing one-third of the region's food. Constraint: extreme water scarcity; the basin holds 2 percent of the region's water resources for one-third of its grain, the North China Plain aquifers are depleted, and Yellow River outflow has declined more than 80 percent.
2	basin	608.0M	623.3M	Strategic minerals (V-Ti magnetite, ion-adsorption heavy rare earths, lithium, antimony, copper, phosphate), the planet's largest hydropower fleet, the regional rice bowl and freshwater-fishery heartland, ports and shipbuilding, and dense semiconductor and defense industries. Constraint: climate whiplash between extreme drought and flood on glacier-fed headwaters; a sinking, storm-exposed delta around the estuary; cadmium-contaminated paddy soils.
Ecosystem basin Schedule A 608.0M Derived 623.3M Strategic minerals (V-Ti magnetite, ion-adsorption heavy rare earths, lithium, antimony, copper, phosphate), the planet's largest hydropower fleet, the regional rice bowl and freshwater-fishery heartland, ports and shipbuilding, and dense semiconductor and defense industries. Constraint: climate whiplash between extreme drought and flood on glacier-fed headwaters; a sinking, storm-exposed delta around the estuary; cadmium-contaminated paddy soils.
3	coastal	196.0M	192.4M	The region's industrial and coastal core: electronics, electric-vehicle and shipbuilding clusters, the region's largest offshore-wind and nuclear fleet, nonferrous minerals (bauxite, manganese, tin, antimony), and the Pearl River's high runoff. Constraint: water scarcity in the delta core, dry-season saltwater intrusion, and typhoon-plus-sea-level-rise flood exposure on a low-lying megadelta.
Ecosystem coastal Schedule A 196.0M Derived 192.4M The region's industrial and coastal core: electronics, electric-vehicle and shipbuilding clusters, the region's largest offshore-wind and nuclear fleet, nonferrous minerals (bauxite, manganese, tin, antimony), and the Pearl River's high runoff. Constraint: water scarcity in the delta core, dry-season saltwater intrusion, and typhoon-plus-sea-level-rise flood exposure on a low-lying megadelta.
4	boreal	175.0M	178.1M	Boreal forest and fertile black-soil plains spanning the Amur, Songhua, and Liao river basins and the Korean Peninsula: iron, coal, rare earths, and magnesite; advanced semiconductor and shipbuilding industries; the cereal breadbasket of northeast Asia. Constraint: legacy industrial pollution, extreme winter cold, infrastructure degradation in the northern interior, and concentrated advanced manufacturing in a single metropolitan corridor.
Ecosystem boreal Schedule A 175.0M Derived 178.1M Boreal forest and fertile black-soil plains spanning the Amur, Songhua, and Liao river basins and the Korean Peninsula: iron, coal, rare earths, and magnesite; advanced semiconductor and shipbuilding industries; the cereal breadbasket of northeast Asia. Constraint: legacy industrial pollution, extreme winter cold, infrastructure degradation in the northern interior, and concentrated advanced manufacturing in a single metropolitan corridor.
5	island	122.0M	120.3M	Resource-scarce, industrially advanced archipelago: negligible domestic minerals except iodine and untapped deep-sea rare earths, fossil energy approximately 97 percent imported, but steel, semiconductor, automotive, shipbuilding, and pharmaceutical industries within a 4.47 million square kilometer exclusive economic zone. Constraint: mountainous terrain limiting arable land to 12 percent, near-total fossil import dependence, seismic threat from the Nankai Trough, and population decline.
Ecosystem island Schedule A 122.0M Derived 120.3M Resource-scarce, industrially advanced archipelago: negligible domestic minerals except iodine and untapped deep-sea rare earths, fossil energy approximately 97 percent imported, but steel, semiconductor, automotive, shipbuilding, and pharmaceutical industries within a 4.47 million square kilometer exclusive economic zone. Constraint: mountainous terrain limiting arable land to 12 percent, near-total fossil import dependence, seismic threat from the Nankai Trough, and population decline.
6	island	65.0M	67.7M	Advanced semiconductor fabrication and electrochemical manufacturing concentrated along the Taiwan Strait, with dense precision-industry supply chains, heavy subtropical forest cover, productive rice, tea, and aquaculture agriculture, a major offshore-wind buildout, and the Kaohsiung-Xiamen port complex. Constraint: near-total energy-import dependence, recurring drought and water stress, tectonic and typhoon hazard, and coastal subsidence.
Ecosystem island Schedule A 65.0M Derived 67.7M Advanced semiconductor fabrication and electrochemical manufacturing concentrated along the Taiwan Strait, with dense precision-industry supply chains, heavy subtropical forest cover, productive rice, tea, and aquaculture agriculture, a major offshore-wind buildout, and the Kaohsiung-Xiamen port complex. Constraint: near-total energy-import dependence, recurring drought and water stress, tectonic and typhoon hazard, and coastal subsidence.
7	basin	255.0M	246.0M	The world's largest inland fishery and a rice bowl producing approximately 50 million tonnes of paddy across the basin, rubber, coffee, sugarcane and aquaculture output, major rare-earth, tin, bauxite and potash deposits, and an electronics and automotive manufacturing core in Vietnam and Thailand. Constraint: Mekong Delta sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion, upstream dam-driven sediment and fish collapse, and the transboundary nature of every binding water problem.
Ecosystem basin Schedule A 255.0M Derived 246.0M The world's largest inland fishery and a rice bowl producing approximately 50 million tonnes of paddy across the basin, rubber, coffee, sugarcane and aquaculture output, major rare-earth, tin, bauxite and potash deposits, and an electronics and automotive manufacturing core in Vietnam and Thailand. Constraint: Mekong Delta sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion, upstream dam-driven sediment and fish collapse, and the transboundary nature of every binding water problem.
8	rainforest	332.0M	327.1M	Strategic minerals (nickel approximately 61 percent of global supply, tin, copper-gold, bauxite), the planet's largest tropical forest-peat-mangrove carbon sink, and the region's industrial core spanning Singapore's refining hub, Malaysia's semiconductor back-end, and Indonesia's battery-nickel smelters. Constraint: coastal subsidence and sea-level rise on densely populated lowlands, recurring peat-fire haze, and primary-forest deforestation.
Ecosystem rainforest Schedule A 332.0M Derived 327.1M Strategic minerals (nickel approximately 61 percent of global supply, tin, copper-gold, bauxite), the planet's largest tropical forest-peat-mangrove carbon sink, and the region's industrial core spanning Singapore's refining hub, Malaysia's semiconductor back-end, and Indonesia's battery-nickel smelters. Constraint: coastal subsidence and sea-level rise on densely populated lowlands, recurring peat-fire haze, and primary-forest deforestation.
9	island	118.0M	121.2M	Nickel at 11 percent of world output, second-largest geothermal capacity, coconut and abaca production, a 2.26 million square kilometer exclusive economic zone, and a large English-speaking labor force in semiconductor exports and business-process services. Constraint: severe deforestation, typhoon vulnerability, archipelagic logistics costs, and unresolved maritime boundary disputes.
Ecosystem island Schedule A 118.0M Derived 121.2M Nickel at 11 percent of world output, second-largest geothermal capacity, coconut and abaca production, a 2.26 million square kilometer exclusive economic zone, and a large English-speaking labor force in semiconductor exports and business-process services. Constraint: severe deforestation, typhoon vulnerability, archipelagic logistics costs, and unresolved maritime boundary disputes.
10	basin	835.0M	835.6M	The world's most productive alluvial plain: 580,000 square kilometres of arable land producing rice, wheat, jute, tea, and sugarcane at global scale, combined with the Bay of Bengal's marine fisheries, Bangladesh's garment and pharmaceutical industries, and Nepal's untapped hydropower reserve exceeding 42 gigawatts. Constraint: water. Too much during monsoons (catastrophic flooding), too little clean groundwater (arsenic crisis, aquifer depletion), and too little control over transboundary flows.
Ecosystem basin Schedule A 835.0M Derived 835.6M The world's most productive alluvial plain: 580,000 square kilometres of arable land producing rice, wheat, jute, tea, and sugarcane at global scale, combined with the Bay of Bengal's marine fisheries, Bangladesh's garment and pharmaceutical industries, and Nepal's untapped hydropower reserve exceeding 42 gigawatts. Constraint: water. Too much during monsoons (catastrophic flooding), too little clean groundwater (arsenic crisis, aquifer depletion), and too little control over transboundary flows.
11	arid	434.0M	381.7M	The world's largest contiguous irrigation system, fed by glacier-dependent Himalayan rivers, producing approximately 53 million tonnes of wheat, 25 million tonnes of rice, and 100 million tonnes of milk annually across 340 million people in an arid region. Constraint: the second-most overstressed aquifer system globally, with acute vulnerability to glacial-melt decline.
Ecosystem arid Schedule A 434.0M Derived 381.7M The world's largest contiguous irrigation system, fed by glacier-dependent Himalayan rivers, producing approximately 53 million tonnes of wheat, 25 million tonnes of rice, and 100 million tonnes of milk annually across 340 million people in an arid region. Constraint: the second-most overstressed aquifer system globally, with acute vulnerability to glacial-melt decline.
12	plateau	699.0M	697.5M	A diversified resource base: iron, bauxite, coal, uranium, thorium, and rare-earth deposits; more than 90 percent of the region's wind capacity; cropland supporting rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, pulses, and spices for 520 million people; and a dense network of ports, refineries, steel mills, and information-technology hubs. Constraint: water stress from extreme monsoon seasonality, inter-basin river disputes, and groundwater depletion.
Ecosystem plateau Schedule A 699.0M Derived 697.5M A diversified resource base: iron, bauxite, coal, uranium, thorium, and rare-earth deposits; more than 90 percent of the region's wind capacity; cropland supporting rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, pulses, and spices for 520 million people; and a dense network of ports, refineries, steel mills, and information-technology hubs. Constraint: water stress from extreme monsoon seasonality, inter-basin river disputes, and groundwater depletion.
13	arid	138.0M	121.6M	Hydrocarbon reserves at roughly 15 percent of global gas and 10 percent of oil (Iran and Turkmenistan together), an untapped mineral belt running from Afghan lithium and rare earths through Iranian copper-zinc-iron to Balochistan's gold-copper porphyry, and an existing industrial base in steel, automotive, petrochemicals, and cement. Constraint: per capita water availability below the absolute scarcity threshold and still declining.
Ecosystem arid Schedule A 138.0M Derived 121.6M Hydrocarbon reserves at roughly 15 percent of global gas and 10 percent of oil (Iran and Turkmenistan together), an untapped mineral belt running from Afghan lithium and rare earths through Iranian copper-zinc-iron to Balochistan's gold-copper porphyry, and an existing industrial base in steel, automotive, petrochemicals, and cement. Constraint: per capita water availability below the absolute scarcity threshold and still declining.
14	arid	102.0M	99.8M	The Aral Sea and Caspian shelf watersheds: the Amu Darya and Syr Darya systems supporting irrigated cotton and wheat across Central Asia, Caspian offshore oil and gas including the Kashagan super-giant field, and substantial uranium, copper, gold, and chromite deposits. Constraint: the Aral Sea has lost 90 percent of its volume; it is the worst anthropogenic environmental disaster on Earth. Rivers are overdrawn at 130 percent, glaciers are retreating, and the region is the most landlocked continental mass on Earth.
Ecosystem arid Schedule A 102.0M Derived 99.8M The Aral Sea and Caspian shelf watersheds: the Amu Darya and Syr Darya systems supporting irrigated cotton and wheat across Central Asia, Caspian offshore oil and gas including the Kashagan super-giant field, and substantial uranium, copper, gold, and chromite deposits. Constraint: the Aral Sea has lost 90 percent of its volume; it is the worst anthropogenic environmental disaster on Earth. Rivers are overdrawn at 130 percent, glaciers are retreating, and the region is the most landlocked continental mass on Earth.
15	arid	53.0M	49.8M	Endorheic steppe and enclosed desert basins: Mongolian plateau pastoral economy, the Tarim Basin's oil and gas fields, significant copper-gold (Oyu Tolgoi) and coal (Tavan Tolgoi) deposits, and substantial rare-earth and uranium potential across southern Mongolia and the Gobi. Constraint: extreme aridity across the Gobi and Taklamakan, thin infrastructure, distance from maritime export routes, and economic dependence on raw commodity exports.
Ecosystem arid Schedule A 53.0M Derived 49.8M Endorheic steppe and enclosed desert basins: Mongolian plateau pastoral economy, the Tarim Basin's oil and gas fields, significant copper-gold (Oyu Tolgoi) and coal (Tavan Tolgoi) deposits, and substantial rare-earth and uranium potential across southern Mongolia and the Gobi. Constraint: extreme aridity across the Gobi and Taklamakan, thin infrastructure, distance from maritime export routes, and economic dependence on raw commodity exports.
16	basin	186.0M	194.3M	Hydropower at 45 gigawatts Ethiopian potential, a major fossil fuel endowment (Egyptian gas and South Sudanese oil), the continent's largest agricultural workforce, and the Suez Canal carrying 12 percent of global trade. Constraint: 86 percent of the Nile's water originates in Ethiopia while the historic treaty beneficiaries (Egypt and Sudan) hold 100 percent of the allocation; this structural water conflict governs every other development possibility.
Ecosystem basin Schedule A 186.0M Derived 194.3M Hydropower at 45 gigawatts Ethiopian potential, a major fossil fuel endowment (Egyptian gas and South Sudanese oil), the continent's largest agricultural workforce, and the Suez Canal carrying 12 percent of global trade. Constraint: 86 percent of the Nile's water originates in Ethiopia while the historic treaty beneficiaries (Egypt and Sudan) hold 100 percent of the allocation; this structural water conflict governs every other development possibility.
17	coastal	107.0M	114.0M	Approximately 75 percent of the world's phosphate reserves, Africa's largest oil and gas reserves (Algeria and Libya: approximately 55 billion barrels of oil, 212 trillion cubic feet of gas), solar potential across the Sahara fringe, and olive, date, and citrus production. Constraint: chronic water scarcity, political instability, weak cross-border integration, and hydrocarbon dependence.
Ecosystem coastal Schedule A 107.0M Derived 114.0M Approximately 75 percent of the world's phosphate reserves, Africa's largest oil and gas reserves (Algeria and Libya: approximately 55 billion barrels of oil, 212 trillion cubic feet of gas), solar potential across the Sahara fringe, and olive, date, and citrus production. Constraint: chronic water scarcity, political instability, weak cross-border integration, and hydrocarbon dependence.
18	mixed	498.0M	483.4M	Bauxite, gold, oil and gas, and cocoa (exceeding 60 percent of world supply) across 475 million people, anchored by the Niger River (4,200 kilometres) and productive Gulf of Guinea fisheries. Constraint: climate-driven Sahel desertification, crippling energy and transport infrastructure deficits, and a demographic surge outpacing economic absorption.
Ecosystem mixed Schedule A 498.0M Derived 483.4M Bauxite, gold, oil and gas, and cocoa (exceeding 60 percent of world supply) across 475 million people, anchored by the Niger River (4,200 kilometres) and productive Gulf of Guinea fisheries. Constraint: climate-driven Sahel desertification, crippling energy and transport infrastructure deficits, and a demographic surge outpacing economic absorption.
19	rainforest	164.0M	160.8M	The world's richest cobalt reserves, the second-largest rainforest, Africa's greatest hydropower potential (approximately 39 gigawatts at Inga), significant offshore oil and gas, and agricultural capacity that could feed billions. Constraint: 125 million people remain among Earth's poorest because infrastructure, governance, and value-addition lag far behind resource abundance; conflict in the eastern DRC persists.
Ecosystem rainforest Schedule A 164.0M Derived 160.8M The world's richest cobalt reserves, the second-largest rainforest, Africa's greatest hydropower potential (approximately 39 gigawatts at Inga), significant offshore oil and gas, and agricultural capacity that could feed billions. Constraint: 125 million people remain among Earth's poorest because infrastructure, governance, and value-addition lag far behind resource abundance; conflict in the eastern DRC persists.
20	mixed	214.0M	219.4M	The Lake Victoria basin and Rift Valley lakes: approximately 25 percent of Earth's unfrozen surface freshwater, major gold, coffee, and tea production, the continent's largest livestock herd, and Indian Ocean coastal access. Constraint: drought cycles, deforestation, infrastructure gaps, and the legacy of regional conflict.
Ecosystem mixed Schedule A 214.0M Derived 219.4M The Lake Victoria basin and Rift Valley lakes: approximately 25 percent of Earth's unfrozen surface freshwater, major gold, coffee, and tea production, the continent's largest livestock herd, and Indian Ocean coastal access. Constraint: drought cycles, deforestation, infrastructure gaps, and the legacy of regional conflict.
21	arid	164.0M	154.7M	The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coast: arid pastoral economy, strategic maritime chokepoints (Bab el-Mandeb), offshore hydrocarbon potential, and remittance-dependent communities. Constraint: recurrent drought and famine, extremely high climate vulnerability, and chronic food insecurity across pastoral and agro-pastoral zones.
Ecosystem arid Schedule A 164.0M Derived 154.7M The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coast: arid pastoral economy, strategic maritime chokepoints (Bab el-Mandeb), offshore hydrocarbon potential, and remittance-dependent communities. Constraint: recurrent drought and famine, extremely high climate vulnerability, and chronic food insecurity across pastoral and agro-pastoral zones.
22	mixed	214.0M	200.5M	The world's richest concentration of platinum-group metals, chromium, manganese, and gem-diamonds, underpinned by the Bushveld Complex and Witwatersrand basin, the Copperbelt (Zambia), diamond fields of Botswana and Angola, Africa's largest coal fleet, the Rovuma offshore gas basin (150 trillion cubic feet), and Zambezi hydropower. Constraint: coal-dependent power generation, severe water stress, extreme inequality, and commodity-export dependence.
Ecosystem mixed Schedule A 214.0M Derived 200.5M The world's richest concentration of platinum-group metals, chromium, manganese, and gem-diamonds, underpinned by the Bushveld Complex and Witwatersrand basin, the Copperbelt (Zambia), diamond fields of Botswana and Angola, Africa's largest coal fleet, the Rovuma offshore gas basin (150 trillion cubic feet), and Zambezi hydropower. Constraint: coal-dependent power generation, severe water stress, extreme inequality, and commodity-export dependence.
23	island	37.0M	37.2M	Vanilla production at 80 to 85 percent of world market, significant ilmenite, nickel, cobalt, and graphite reserves, the world's largest undeveloped heavy-oil deposit (Tsimiroro, 16.6 billion barrels in place), untapped hydropower, and unique biodiversity with extremely high endemism. Constraint: severe deforestation (approximately 330,000 hectares per year), fuelwood dependence, extreme poverty, and climate-exposed subsistence agriculture.
Ecosystem island Schedule A 37.0M Derived 37.2M Vanilla production at 80 to 85 percent of world market, significant ilmenite, nickel, cobalt, and graphite reserves, the world's largest undeveloped heavy-oil deposit (Tsimiroro, 16.6 billion barrels in place), untapped hydropower, and unique biodiversity with extremely high endemism. Constraint: severe deforestation (approximately 330,000 hectares per year), fuelwood dependence, extreme poverty, and climate-exposed subsistence agriculture.
24	mixed	199.0M	189.3M	The world's most industrially concentrated economic region, anchored by the Rhine-Ruhr-Randstad core: approximately 440,000 square kilometres of managed forest, Europe's largest agricultural output, the North Sea's offshore wind cluster, and an industrial base spanning automotive (approximately 14 million vehicles per year), aerospace, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and advanced semiconductor lithography equipment manufacturing. Constraint: approximately 65 percent energy import dependence, climate-driven water stress on the Rhine, an aging workforce, and the estimated 500 billion euro investment needed for industrial decarbonization.
Ecosystem mixed Schedule A 199.0M Derived 189.3M The world's most industrially concentrated economic region, anchored by the Rhine-Ruhr-Randstad core: approximately 440,000 square kilometres of managed forest, Europe's largest agricultural output, the North Sea's offshore wind cluster, and an industrial base spanning automotive (approximately 14 million vehicles per year), aerospace, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and advanced semiconductor lithography equipment manufacturing. Constraint: approximately 65 percent energy import dependence, climate-driven water stress on the Rhine, an aging workforce, and the estimated 500 billion euro investment needed for industrial decarbonization.
25	coastal	129.0M	127.3M	The northern Mediterranean watershed from the Iberian Peninsula through the Italian Peninsula to the Balkans and Aegean: Europe's largest solar endowment, olive oil (approximately 70 percent), wine, citrus, cork (approximately 50 percent), marble, and cruise-ship building, with a dense manufacturing base in automotive, machinery, and luxury goods. Constraint: acute water stress, demographic decline, and seasonal wildfire exposure amplified by rising temperatures.
Ecosystem coastal Schedule A 129.0M Derived 127.3M The northern Mediterranean watershed from the Iberian Peninsula through the Italian Peninsula to the Balkans and Aegean: Europe's largest solar endowment, olive oil (approximately 70 percent), wine, citrus, cork (approximately 50 percent), marble, and cruise-ship building, with a dense manufacturing base in automotive, machinery, and luxury goods. Constraint: acute water stress, demographic decline, and seasonal wildfire exposure amplified by rising temperatures.
26	boreal	104.0M	103.5M	Europe's largest remaining fossil fuel reserves on the Scandinavian shelf, the continent's densest hydropower and offshore wind capacity, the Baltic and North Sea agricultural belt, the most extensive managed boreal forest on Earth spanning Fennoscandia, and the globe's richest cold-water fisheries. Constraint: remaining coal dependence in the southern Baltic, declining North Sea hydrocarbons, and demographic aging.
Ecosystem boreal Schedule A 104.0M Derived 103.5M Europe's largest remaining fossil fuel reserves on the Scandinavian shelf, the continent's densest hydropower and offshore wind capacity, the Baltic and North Sea agricultural belt, the most extensive managed boreal forest on Earth spanning Fennoscandia, and the globe's richest cold-water fisheries. Constraint: remaining coal dependence in the southern Baltic, declining North Sea hydrocarbons, and demographic aging.
27	mixed	165.0M	156.9M	The world's largest contiguous chernozem belt spanning the Dnieper, Don, and Volga watersheds (approximately 25 percent of world wheat exports), massive iron ore (Kursk Magnetic Anomaly), extensive gas reserves in the Dnieper-Donets basin, the world's third-largest potash deposits, the Donbas coal measures, and a dense inherited industrial base in steel, chemicals, aerospace, and information technology. Constraint: Chernobyl exclusion zone, soil degradation, demographic decline, and landlocked geography for the western and central reaches of the plain.
Ecosystem mixed Schedule A 165.0M Derived 156.9M The world's largest contiguous chernozem belt spanning the Dnieper, Don, and Volga watersheds (approximately 25 percent of world wheat exports), massive iron ore (Kursk Magnetic Anomaly), extensive gas reserves in the Dnieper-Donets basin, the world's third-largest potash deposits, the Donbas coal measures, and a dense inherited industrial base in steel, chemicals, aerospace, and information technology. Constraint: Chernobyl exclusion zone, soil degradation, demographic decline, and landlocked geography for the western and central reaches of the plain.
28	mixed	110.0M	105.0M	The Pannonian breadbasket, Europe's second-longest river, major lithium deposits (Jadar), a leading automotive manufacturing cluster, and the Carpathian arc's forest and freshwater resources across Central and Southeast Europe. Constraint: increasing Pannonian aridity, Carpathian deforestation, cross-border jurisdictional fragmentation, and demographic aging.
Ecosystem mixed Schedule A 110.0M Derived 105.0M The Pannonian breadbasket, Europe's second-longest river, major lithium deposits (Jadar), a leading automotive manufacturing cluster, and the Carpathian arc's forest and freshwater resources across Central and Southeast Europe. Constraint: increasing Pannonian aridity, Carpathian deforestation, cross-border jurisdictional fragmentation, and demographic aging.
29	boreal	12.0M	11.3M	The West Siberian petroleum basin: the Ob-Irtysh watershed, the largest hydrocarbon province on Earth (Khanty-Mansi and Yamalo-Nenets, approximately 144 billion barrels discovered, roughly 70 percent of Russian oil), extensive boreal forest, and the Kuzbass coal basin. Constraint: extreme cold, permafrost thaw threatening infrastructure integrity, enormous distances, and over-reliance on raw hydrocarbon exports.
Ecosystem boreal Schedule A 12.0M Derived 11.3M The West Siberian petroleum basin: the Ob-Irtysh watershed, the largest hydrocarbon province on Earth (Khanty-Mansi and Yamalo-Nenets, approximately 144 billion barrels discovered, roughly 70 percent of Russian oil), extensive boreal forest, and the Kuzbass coal basin. Constraint: extreme cold, permafrost thaw threatening infrastructure integrity, enormous distances, and over-reliance on raw hydrocarbon exports.
30	boreal	24.0M	22.7M	The Yenisei-Lena watersheds: the Norilsk nickel-copper-platinum-group-element complex (approximately 20 percent of global nickel, 40 percent of palladium), the Yakutian diamond fields, Lake Baikal (20 percent of global surface freshwater), untapped hydropower, and some of the world's richest Pacific fisheries. Constraint: permafrost and extreme cold, the world's largest continuous forest at risk from fire and thaw, legacy industrial pollution at Norilsk, and thin infrastructure.
Ecosystem boreal Schedule A 24.0M Derived 22.7M The Yenisei-Lena watersheds: the Norilsk nickel-copper-platinum-group-element complex (approximately 20 percent of global nickel, 40 percent of palladium), the Yakutian diamond fields, Lake Baikal (20 percent of global surface freshwater), untapped hydropower, and some of the world's richest Pacific fisheries. Constraint: permafrost and extreme cold, the world's largest continuous forest at risk from fire and thaw, legacy industrial pollution at Norilsk, and thin infrastructure.
31	mixed	158.0M	158.1M	One of the most resource-endowed and industrially developed regions on Earth: the Great Lakes (20 percent of world surface freshwater), boreal and northern hardwood forests, iron-nickel-copper-gold mineral belts, the Marcellus Shale, the Gulf of Maine, Quebec's 37-gigawatt hydroelectric complex, and the planet's largest integrated industrial economy spanning Ontario-Quebec-US Midwest manufacturing and US Northeast financial and technology centers. Constraint: climate-driven Gulf of Maine warming, Great Lakes invasive species, legacy industrial pollution, and cross-border regulatory fragmentation.
Ecosystem mixed Schedule A 158.0M Derived 158.1M One of the most resource-endowed and industrially developed regions on Earth: the Great Lakes (20 percent of world surface freshwater), boreal and northern hardwood forests, iron-nickel-copper-gold mineral belts, the Marcellus Shale, the Gulf of Maine, Quebec's 37-gigawatt hydroelectric complex, and the planet's largest integrated industrial economy spanning Ontario-Quebec-US Midwest manufacturing and US Northeast financial and technology centers. Constraint: climate-driven Gulf of Maine warming, Great Lakes invasive species, legacy industrial pollution, and cross-border regulatory fragmentation.
32	basin	154.0M	151.5M	The planet's largest contiguous agricultural breadbasket: the dominant North American corn-soybean-wheat belt, the northern Great Plains canola and wheat belt, Permian and Bakken oil, the Gulf Coast refining-petrochemical complex (world's largest), the Great Plains wind corridor, and the Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio inland waterway system draining 41 percent of the continental interior. Constraint: Ogallala Aquifer depletion, Gulf hypoxia from Corn Belt nutrient runoff, Mississippi Delta land loss from subsidence and sea-level rise, and extreme weather exposure.
Ecosystem basin Schedule A 154.0M Derived 151.5M The planet's largest contiguous agricultural breadbasket: the dominant North American corn-soybean-wheat belt, the northern Great Plains canola and wheat belt, Permian and Bakken oil, the Gulf Coast refining-petrochemical complex (world's largest), the Great Plains wind corridor, and the Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio inland waterway system draining 41 percent of the continental interior. Constraint: Ogallala Aquifer depletion, Gulf hypoxia from Corn Belt nutrient runoff, Mississippi Delta land loss from subsidence and sea-level rise, and extreme weather exposure.
33	coastal	77.0M	80.0M	The world's most geologically diverse subnational region: copper, gold, lithium, and rare earths; hydropower (Columbia, Peace, Fraser); geothermal (the Geysers, Cerro Prieto); snowpack-dependent agriculture in California's Central Valley (more than 50 percent of US fruits, vegetables, and nuts); and the Silicon Valley technology cluster, aerospace manufacturing, entertainment production, and the Los Angeles-Vancouver port complexes. Constraint: water overallocation, catastrophic wildfire, and Cascadia-San Andreas seismic risk.
Ecosystem coastal Schedule A 77.0M Derived 80.0M The world's most geologically diverse subnational region: copper, gold, lithium, and rare earths; hydropower (Columbia, Peace, Fraser); geothermal (the Geysers, Cerro Prieto); snowpack-dependent agriculture in California's Central Valley (more than 50 percent of US fruits, vegetables, and nuts); and the Silicon Valley technology cluster, aerospace manufacturing, entertainment production, and the Los Angeles-Vancouver port complexes. Constraint: water overallocation, catastrophic wildfire, and Cascadia-San Andreas seismic risk.
34	coastal	187.0M	179.4M	The continental isthmus from southern Mexico to Panama: the world's largest silver and avocado production, gold and copper, major oil and gas (Mexico), the Panama Canal as a unique trade chokepoint, a 1,100-kilometre geothermal corridor, dual-ocean access, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, and premium coffee and cacao. Constraint: severe hurricane exposure, volcanic and seismic hazard, and the Dry Corridor drought belt.
Ecosystem coastal Schedule A 187.0M Derived 179.4M The continental isthmus from southern Mexico to Panama: the world's largest silver and avocado production, gold and copper, major oil and gas (Mexico), the Panama Canal as a unique trade chokepoint, a 1,100-kilometre geothermal corridor, dual-ocean access, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, and premium coffee and cacao. Constraint: severe hurricane exposure, volcanic and seismic hazard, and the Dry Corridor drought belt.
35	island	45.0M	44.7M	Island aquifers across the Caribbean archipelago: tourism-dependent economies, significant offshore oil and gas (Trinidad and Tobago), bauxite (Jamaica), and premium agricultural exports (sugar, rum, spices). Constraint: extreme hurricane exposure, sea-level rise on low-lying island nations, freshwater aquifer salinization, and archipelagic logistics costs.
Ecosystem island Schedule A 45.0M Derived 44.7M Island aquifers across the Caribbean archipelago: tourism-dependent economies, significant offshore oil and gas (Trinidad and Tobago), bauxite (Jamaica), and premium agricultural exports (sugar, rum, spices). Constraint: extreme hurricane exposure, sea-level rise on low-lying island nations, freshwater aquifer salinization, and archipelagic logistics costs.
36	plateau	169.0M	153.2M	The Andes cordillera: copper and lithium reserves, the Humboldt Current's anchoveta fishery (world's most productive), the Orinoco Belt heavy oil, substantial natural gas, and origin-center crop diversity (potatoes, quinoa). Constraint: glacial retreat threatening water supply, extreme altitude, resource-extraction pressure on water and land, and commodity dependence.
Ecosystem plateau Schedule A 169.0M Derived 153.2M The Andes cordillera: copper and lithium reserves, the Humboldt Current's anchoveta fishery (world's most productive), the Orinoco Belt heavy oil, substantial natural gas, and origin-center crop diversity (potatoes, quinoa). Constraint: glacial retreat threatening water supply, extreme altitude, resource-extraction pressure on water and land, and commodity dependence.
37	mixed	194.0M	190.7M	Collectively the world's largest soy complex, largest beef exporter, largest sugar-cane exporter, largest coffee producer, and a major grains and oilseeds supplier; underpinned by the Guarani Aquifer (world's second-largest), the Paraná River cascade (Itaipú at 14 gigawatts), Vaca Muerta shale (16.2 billion barrels of oil and 308 trillion cubic feet of gas), and the Lithium Triangle (approximately 54 percent of global lithium reserves). Constraint: Paraná River drought cycles disrupting both hydropower and shipping; Gran Chaco and Cerrado deforestation; Argentine macro instability.
Ecosystem mixed Schedule A 194.0M Derived 190.7M Collectively the world's largest soy complex, largest beef exporter, largest sugar-cane exporter, largest coffee producer, and a major grains and oilseeds supplier; underpinned by the Guarani Aquifer (world's second-largest), the Paraná River cascade (Itaipú at 14 gigawatts), Vaca Muerta shale (16.2 billion barrels of oil and 308 trillion cubic feet of gas), and the Lithium Triangle (approximately 54 percent of global lithium reserves). Constraint: Paraná River drought cycles disrupting both hydropower and shipping; Gran Chaco and Cerrado deforestation; Argentine macro instability.
38	rainforest	21.0M	21.0M	The world's largest contiguous rainforest spanning eight nations: iron ore (Carajás), bauxite, 98 percent of world niobium, transformative offshore oil (Guyana-Suriname, potentially 10 billion barrels), and the planet's largest river system (7,280 cubic kilometres per year). Constraint: extractive wealth versus biome preservation approaching an ecological tipping point at 20 percent deforestation; fire-drought feedbacks accelerate the risk.
Ecosystem rainforest Schedule A 21.0M Derived 21.0M The world's largest contiguous rainforest spanning eight nations: iron ore (Carajás), bauxite, 98 percent of world niobium, transformative offshore oil (Guyana-Suriname, potentially 10 billion barrels), and the planet's largest river system (7,280 cubic kilometres per year). Constraint: extractive wealth versus biome preservation approaching an ecological tipping point at 20 percent deforestation; fire-drought feedbacks accelerate the risk.
39	mixed	57.0M	76.7M	Wind at 87 percent of the region's capacity, the São Francisco hydropower cascade (10 gigawatts), the MATOPIBA soy frontier (approximately 15 million tonnes per year), and the coastal industrial chain (Camaçari petrochemicals, Suape shipbuilding and automotive, Pecém steel). Constraint: the Caatinga biome (850,000 square kilometres) is severely degraded, hosting 26 million people in chronic water poverty.
Ecosystem mixed Schedule A 57.0M Derived 76.7M Wind at 87 percent of the region's capacity, the São Francisco hydropower cascade (10 gigawatts), the MATOPIBA soy frontier (approximately 15 million tonnes per year), and the coastal industrial chain (Camaçari petrochemicals, Suape shipbuilding and automotive, Pecém steel). Constraint: the Caatinga biome (850,000 square kilometres) is severely degraded, hosting 26 million people in chronic water poverty.
40	plateau	88.0M	82.6M	The Anatolian continental heartland at 900 to 1,200 metres elevation: the world's largest boron reserves, the Afşin-Elbistan lignite basin, Tuz Gölü salt, the Ankara defense-industrial cluster, and the Konya-Eskişehir-Kayseri manufacturing spine. Constraint: erratic semi-arid precipitation, falling aquifers, and periodic Lake Tuz desiccation signal acute water scarcity by the 2030s.
Ecosystem plateau Schedule A 88.0M Derived 82.6M The Anatolian continental heartland at 900 to 1,200 metres elevation: the world's largest boron reserves, the Afşin-Elbistan lignite basin, Tuz Gölü salt, the Ankara defense-industrial cluster, and the Konya-Eskişehir-Kayseri manufacturing spine. Constraint: erratic semi-arid precipitation, falling aquifers, and periodic Lake Tuz desiccation signal acute water scarcity by the 2030s.
41	mixed	48.0M	48.1M	The Zagros-Taurus arc spanning the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates: approximately 45 billion barrels of oil, more than 200 trillion cubic feet of gas, strategic control of downstream water supply, pastoral livestock, and dryland cereals across 392,000 square kilometres. Constraint: landlocked geography with export routes crossing multiple jurisdictions, upstream-downstream water disputes, and hydrocarbon dependence.
Ecosystem mixed Schedule A 48.0M Derived 48.1M The Zagros-Taurus arc spanning the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates: approximately 45 billion barrels of oil, more than 200 trillion cubic feet of gas, strategic control of downstream water supply, pastoral livestock, and dryland cereals across 392,000 square kilometres. Constraint: landlocked geography with export routes crossing multiple jurisdictions, upstream-downstream water disputes, and hydrocarbon dependence.
42	coastal	59.0M	61.1M	The eastern Mediterranean littoral: the Dead Sea mineral complex (world's richest single-source potash and bromine deposit), the Levant Basin offshore gas province (more than 100 trillion cubic feet estimated), the Silicon Wadi high-technology cluster (one of the world's densest), the merchant fleet of Cyprus, and technologically intensive agriculture anchored by advanced desalination (approximately 86 percent of drinking water) and wastewater recycling (approximately 90 percent). Constraint: extreme economic disparity across the RCA, demographic pressure on shared water resources, and the Dead Sea dropping one metre per year; this shared hydrological crisis can only be managed at RCA scale.
Ecosystem coastal Schedule A 59.0M Derived 61.1M The eastern Mediterranean littoral: the Dead Sea mineral complex (world's richest single-source potash and bromine deposit), the Levant Basin offshore gas province (more than 100 trillion cubic feet estimated), the Silicon Wadi high-technology cluster (one of the world's densest), the merchant fleet of Cyprus, and technologically intensive agriculture anchored by advanced desalination (approximately 86 percent of drinking water) and wastewater recycling (approximately 90 percent). Constraint: extreme economic disparity across the RCA, demographic pressure on shared water resources, and the Dead Sea dropping one metre per year; this shared hydrological crisis can only be managed at RCA scale.
43	plateau	9.6M	9.6M	Asia's water tower: the world's largest and highest plateau (2.5 million square kilometres, average elevation exceeding 4,500 metres), headwaters of the Yellow, Yangtze, Mekong, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers, Asia's largest hydropower potential, and significant lithium, copper, chromium, borax, and uranium extraction in the Qaidam Basin. Constraint: extreme altitude, permafrost thaw, glacial retreat, and jurisdictional fragmentation of the headwater territories.
Ecosystem plateau Schedule A 9.6M Derived 9.6M Asia's water tower: the world's largest and highest plateau (2.5 million square kilometres, average elevation exceeding 4,500 metres), headwaters of the Yellow, Yangtze, Mekong, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers, Asia's largest hydropower potential, and significant lithium, copper, chromium, borax, and uranium extraction in the Qaidam Basin. Constraint: extreme altitude, permafrost thaw, glacial retreat, and jurisdictional fragmentation of the headwater territories.
44	arid	33.0M	32.1M	A resource superpower dyad: Australia supplies the world's largest iron ore, bauxite, and lithium exports and is the top liquefied-natural-gas exporter; New Zealand complements with 85 percent renewable electricity from hydro and geothermal, the world's most efficient pastoral agriculture, and dairy and kiwifruit exports. Constraint: combined they hold two of the largest exclusive economic zones on Earth (15 million square kilometres) but face acute water scarcity and climate volatility.
Ecosystem arid Schedule A 33.0M Derived 32.1M A resource superpower dyad: Australia supplies the world's largest iron ore, bauxite, and lithium exports and is the top liquefied-natural-gas exporter; New Zealand complements with 85 percent renewable electricity from hydro and geothermal, the world's most efficient pastoral agriculture, and dairy and kiwifruit exports. Constraint: combined they hold two of the largest exclusive economic zones on Earth (15 million square kilometres) but face acute water scarcity and climate volatility.
45	island	15.0M	23.7M	The western and central Pacific from Papua New Guinea to French Polynesia: nickel (New Caledonia), major gold, copper, oil, and gas (Papua New Guinea), the globe's largest tuna fishery, and extensive tropical hardwood forests. Constraint: extreme disaster risk from cyclones and sea-level rise, geographic fragmentation, and limited domestic markets across dualistic cash-export and subsistence economies.
Ecosystem island Schedule A 15.0M Derived 23.7M The western and central Pacific from Papua New Guinea to French Polynesia: nickel (New Caledonia), major gold, copper, oil, and gas (Papua New Guinea), the globe's largest tuna fishery, and extensive tropical hardwood forests. Constraint: extreme disaster risk from cyclones and sea-level rise, geographic fragmentation, and limited domestic markets across dualistic cash-export and subsistence economies.
46	arid	57.0M	56.1M	The planet's hydrocarbon heartland: the world's largest concentration of oil and gas reserves, some of the highest solar irradiance globally, massive desalination capacity (approximately 40 percent of world total), and a downstream industrial base of petrochemicals, aluminum, steel, and liquefied-natural-gas exports. Constraint: no permanent rivers, rapidly depleting fossil aquifers, and an energy-water nexus demanding a solar-powered transition before the fossil aquifer inheritance runs out.
Ecosystem arid Schedule A 57.0M Derived 56.1M The planet's hydrocarbon heartland: the world's largest concentration of oil and gas reserves, some of the highest solar irradiance globally, massive desalination capacity (approximately 40 percent of world total), and a downstream industrial base of petrochemicals, aluminum, steel, and liquefied-natural-gas exports. Constraint: no permanent rivers, rapidly depleting fossil aquifers, and an energy-water nexus demanding a solar-powered transition before the fossil aquifer inheritance runs out.
47	arid	49.0M	47.4M	The hyper-arid southern Arabian peninsula: modest but significant oil (1.2 million barrels per day), substantial gas, high solar irradiance, 5,000 kilometres of coastline straddling the Bab el-Mandeb and Hormuz chokepoints, and niche oasis agriculture (dates, frankincense, coffee). Constraint: extreme water scarcity with no perennial rivers, qat-driven aquifer depletion, and hydrocarbon dependence.
Ecosystem arid Schedule A 49.0M Derived 47.4M The hyper-arid southern Arabian peninsula: modest but significant oil (1.2 million barrels per day), substantial gas, high solar irradiance, 5,000 kilometres of coastline straddling the Bab el-Mandeb and Hormuz chokepoints, and niche oasis agriculture (dates, frankincense, coffee). Constraint: extreme water scarcity with no perennial rivers, qat-driven aquifer depletion, and hydrocarbon dependence.
48	ice	custodial	custodial	A custodial RCA with zero permanent population, governed as a planetary commons stewardship zone under direct Expert Body supervision. It holds approximately 70 percent of Earth's freshwater in its ice sheet and is the planet's primary climate regulator. Constraint: ice-sheet instability under warming, with grounding-line retreat in West Antarctica; responsibility for its stewardship is shared by all humanity but delegated to no single RCA.
Ecosystem ice Schedule A custodial Derived custodial A custodial RCA with zero permanent population, governed as a planetary commons stewardship zone under direct Expert Body supervision. It holds approximately 70 percent of Earth's freshwater in its ice sheet and is the planet's primary climate regulator. Constraint: ice-sheet instability under warming, with grounding-line retreat in West Antarctica; responsibility for its stewardship is shared by all humanity but delegated to no single RCA.

Why these lines

Ob-Irtysh and Yenisei-Lena watersheds: The Ob-Irtysh watershed (West Siberian hydrocarbon basin) and the Yenisei-Lena watersheds (Norilsk metals, Lake Baikal) are separate hydrological systems with no shared infrastructure corridor. The provisional designation separates West Siberian RCA (r-west-siberia) and Central-East Siberian RCA (r-central-east-siberia) as separate RCAs under principles 1 and 3.
Aral-Caspian and Mongolia-Tarim endorheic systems: The Aral Sea and Caspian shelf watersheds (Amu Darya and Syr Darya systems) and the Mongolia-Tarim endorheic basins (Mongolian steppe, Tarim endorheic basin) are separate closed-basin systems. The provisional designation separates Aral-Caspian RCA (r-aral-caspian) and Mongolia-Tarim RCA (r-mongolia-tarim) as separate RCAs under principles 1 and 2.
Lake Victoria basin and Horn of Africa: The Lake Victoria basin with Rift Valley lakes and Indian Ocean coast, and the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coast, are separate watersheds. Ethiopia and South Sudan lie within the Nile watershed and are assigned solely to Nile Basin RCA (r-nile) under principle 1. Ethiopia supplies 86 percent of Nile flow via the Blue Nile; South Sudan contributes the White Nile headwaters. The provisional designation separates Great Lakes RCA (r-great-lakes) and Horn of Africa RCA (r-horn-africa) as separate RCAs under principle 1.
Mesoamerican isthmus and Caribbean islands: No shared water system exists between the continental isthmus watersheds and the island aquifers of the Caribbean archipelago. The provisional designation separates Mesoamerica RCA (r-mesoamerica) and Caribbean RCA (r-caribbean) as separate RCAs under principles 1 and 3.
Niger River watershed: The Niger River flows from Guinea through Mali and Niger to Nigeria. Splitting the watershed across RCAs would create a trans-RCA water conflict on the core RCA competency. The provisional designation retains West African RCA (r-west-african) as a single RCA under principle 1, which overrides population-size concerns.
North Atlantic islands and the Rhine: Britain and Ireland are each a single basin at the resolution the reconstruction uses, so each falls wholly to one RCA. Placing them with the continental Atlantic coast left North Atlantic Europe RCA (r-north-atlantic-europe) holding the Nordic countries alone, roughly a quarter of the population Schedule A states for it, and the shortfall was met by drawing in the Rhine basin across the North Sea. That left the Rhine outside Rhine-Atlantic Europe RCA (r-rhine-atlantic) and reachable from its own RCA only by sea crossing. The provisional designation places Britain and Ireland with the Nordic countries under principles 2 and 3, and returns the Rhine basin to r-rhine-atlantic under principle 1. Denmark divides between the two under principle 1, its continental drainage following the Rhine-Atlantic coast.
Sea crossings as adjacency: Principle 3 makes a sea that interrupts infrastructure a boundary, which requires a distance at which a crossing stops being connection. The reconstruction treats coasts within 250 kilometres as adjacent. At 300 kilometres the Yellow Sea becomes an adjacency and the southern Korean peninsula is drawn to Yellow River Basin RCA (r-yellow-river) rather than to the peninsula it adjoins; below roughly 220 kilometres the peninsula loses its continental adjacency entirely. The provisional designation adopts 250 kilometres, which holds the Korean peninsula in Manchurian-Korean RCA (r-manchurian-korean) under principles 2 and 3 and moves western New Guinea to Oceania RCA (r-oceania) under principle 2.

Basins: HydroSHEDS/HydroBASINS v1c (CC BY 4.0). Coastlines and borders: Natural Earth (public domain). Administrative units: geoBoundaries CGAZ (CC BY 4.0). Population: GHSL GHS-POP R2023A (CC BY 4.0). Languages: Glottolog 5.3 (CC BY 4.0).