Waterparks make global waves.(NEWSROOM)

Imagine the world of the future. Ocean waves appear in landlocked countries; new rivers form; and tropical jungles sprout in ice-cold places.

The results of global warming? No, experts say. It's the emerging international waterpark market. From Dubai to Shanghai to Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur, waterparks are breaking cultural barriers faster than a drop slide. Locals and tourists alike are sharing in the fun. And North American manufacturers are finding new markets to dive into.

"It seems like a gold mine," says Doug Smith, director of international sales for the Koala Play Group in Vancouver, British Columbia. "There are a lot of areas worldwide where a lot of projects are happening."

Much of the growth is in Asia and the Middle East. But while the East is creating the demand, the West is offering the supply.

"All those countries look at the States as the forerunner in waterpark rides, and a lot of those countries come here to copy what was done here and replicate identical waterparks in their area," says Andrew Thatcher, sales and marketing manager for Wave-loch in San Diego.

Thatcher and others say the demand is fueled by the growing wealth many Eastern nations enjoy. For instance, countries in the Middle East are reaping the benefits from natural resources, such as oil.

"People look for entertainment as economies grow stronger," says Andrew Ray, director of sales for Whitewater West Industries Ltd. in Richmond, British Columbia.