The vast territory of Australia is marked by diverse climatic conditions and landscapes, and accordingly by a wide variety of weather-related and geophysical risks ranging from bushfires, floods and storms to earthquakes (See table below). The occurrence, frequency and intensity of different types of natural disasters vary with location.

Canada covers a large territory, lying between three oceans and stretching across mountain ranges, plains, forests and tundra. Weather patterns range from arctic to moderate, and geological patterns also vary widely. As a consequence, Canada is exposed to a broad range of natural hazards (See table below).

Colombia, which is located in the north-western part of South America, includes several distinct natural regions, among them the Andes Mountains traversing Colombia, the Amazon rainforest, the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Caribbean Sea in the North. These varied natural landscapes with their climatic differences have shaped Colombia’s exposure to natural hazards (Table below).

Located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, along the subduction zone of the Caribbean and Cocos tectonic plates, Costa Rica is exposed to several natural hazards, which are themselves influenced by several large-scale climate phenomena such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. As much as 36.8% of Costa Rica’s landmass is exposed to three or more natural hazards; 77.9% of its population and 80.1% of its gross domestic product (GDP) are located in areas exposed to multiple hazards (World Bank, 2005). The most severe economic impact in the past four decades has been from earthquakes and hurricanes, followed by floods.

Due to its diverse topography and distinct climates, France is exposed to a wide range of natural hazards. Mainland France is surrounded by long coastlines, major river systems such as the Seine and the Rhône as well as mountain ranges, including the Pyrenees and the Alps, characterise France’s territory. The overseas regions and departments (régions d’outre-mer ROM and départements d’outre-mer, DOM) Overseas regions: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion, Mayotte.Overseas collectivities: French Polynesia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy.Overseas territories: French Southern and Antarctic Lands. are characterised by their tropical climate, with some of them home to active volcanoes (French Antilles, la Réunion) (OECD, 2017).

Japan is exposed to multiple hazards: Earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions occur frequently, as do other hazards such as landslides, floods and typhoons.

Located in North America between the Caribbean Sea to the southeast, the Gulf of Mexico to the east, and the North Pacific Ocean to the west, Mexico is home to distinct landscapes and natural hazards of all types, including geological, hydro-meteorological and climatological.

New Zealand is made up of two main islands in the South Pacific (North and South Islands) that are located between the equator and Antarctica and on the juncture of the Australian and Pacific plates. New Zealand’s location and geography exposes it to a broad range of hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, ex-tropical cyclones, floods and droughts.

The risk of disasters caused by natural hazards in Peru is linked to its geographical location and the nature of its exposed assets and infrastructure. Peru is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region exposed to major earthquakes and active volcanoes. In addition, the presence of the Humboldt Current, the proximity of the Equator, the influence of the Amazon region, and Peru’s rugged terrain traversed by the Andes mountains expose Peru to a number of geological hazards, including mudflows, and landslides. Its location in the tropical and subtropical belts on the western coast of the South American continent also exposes Peru to climatological events such as the El Niño phenomenon, which can cause extreme rainfall, floods, droughts, freezes, hailstorms, and strong winds.