Which country has the world’s largest land area without permanent rivers?

Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest country without a permanent river.

Saudi Arabia covers about 2.15 million square kilometres, and its arid climate means no river flows continuously throughout the year. Instead, seasonal channels called wadis carry water after rainfall, sometimes producing sudden floods.

The country occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula. Its terrain includes the Rubʿ al-Khali, or Empty Quarter, one of the world’s largest continuous sand deserts, along with rocky plateaus and coastal plains.

Saudi Arabia does have groundwater and desalination plants, which supply much of its drinking water. The absence of permanent rivers distinguishes it from many other large countries, even those with substantial desert regions.