From a European comparison, however, the country is average in terms of available water resources per capita (3.15 thousand m3/year). In addition, the fact that the waters of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia cover approximately 2 per cent (6.4 billion m3) of the country with some 35 rivers and 53 natural and artificial lakes indicates sufficient water resources, which are however unequally distributed. Water resources depend mainly on the appearance, duration and intensity of precipitation. Glaciers as water spending reservoirs are not available. The use, protection and conservation of water resources is therefore of utmost importance. About 4,400 springs with a total annual yield of 992 million m3 are reported while about 60 springs have a capacity of over 1001/s.