Water availability is a key factor in many societies, shaping cultures, economies, history and national identity. This is especially true in the Mediterranean, where water resources are limited and very unevenly distributed over space and time. There is a growing concern about water resources in this region. On the demand side, during the second half of the 20th century, water demand has increased twofold, reaching 280 km~3/year (UNEP, 2006). Much of the demand comes from agricultural activities (45% in the North, 82% in South and East), but other industries also contribute significantly (most notably, tourism) and more competition for water resources can be easily foreseen in the near future.
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