World Heritage Facts and Figures 2008

Engadine, World Heritage Site, Switzerland

There are 191 natural World Heritage Sites (166 classified as natural sites, and 25 mixed sites

Natural World Heritage Sites protect over 177 million hectares (ha) of land and sea. This figure amounts to around:

  • 8% of the total area of all recorded protected areas 
  • 21% of the total area of all recorded marine protected areas; and
  • An area equivalent to 10% of all IUCN categorized protected areas

Of all areas recorded as protected areas in the WDPA, natural World Heritage Sites include:

  • 11% of the total protected area in Asia and the Pacific;
  • 9% of the total protected area in Africa
  • 7% of the total protected area in Latin America and the Caribbean
  • 6% of the total protected area in the Arab States; and
  • 6% of the total protected area in Europe and North America

81 countries have an area designated as a natural World Heritage Site.

  • In 17 countries the extent of World Heritage Sites is more than 25% of all protected areas.
  • In 32 countries the extent of World Heritage Sites

The ten countries with the largest extent of natural World Heritage Sites are:
 

Country Total Area of natural World Heritage Sites Area of natural World Heritage Sites as % of national protected areas
1. Australia
44,640,708
31%
2. Russian Federation
20,997,027
13%
3. Canada
10,663,549
12%
4. United States
10,133,617
4%
5. Ecuador
9,028,439
43%
6. Brazil
8,595,679
3%
7. Algeria
8,000,000
66%
8. Niger
7,956,000
71%
9. United Republic of Tanzania
6,860,453
18%
10. Democratic Republic of Congo
6,854,625
30%

40 largest natural World Heritage Sites

The average area of a natural World Heritage Site is c. 929,000 ha (9,290 square kilometers). Excluding the very large Great Barrier Reef, the average size is c. 747,000 ha (7,470 square kilometers).

  World Heritage Site
Area (ha)
1.

Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
34,870,000
2. Galápagos Islands (Ecuador)
14,066,514
3. Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek (Canada / United States) 
9,839,121
4. Lake Baikal (Russian Federation)  
8,800,000
5. Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger)
7,736,000
6. Tassili n'Ajjer (Algeria) 
7,200,000
7. Central Amazon Conservation Complex (Brazil)  
5,323,018
8. Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada)  
4,480,000
9. Selous Game Reserve United (United Republic of Tanzania) 
4,480,000
10. Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo)  
3,600,000
11. Virgin Komi Forests (Russian Federation)
3,280,000
12. Canaima National Park (Venezuela) 
3,000,000
13. Te Wahipounamu, South West New Zealand (New Zealand)
2,600,000
14. Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Indonesia) 
2,595,124
15. Lorentz National Park (Indonesia) 
2,505,600
16. Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (Canada)  
2,306,884
17. Shark Bay, Western Australia (Australia)  
2,197,300
18. Kakadu National Park (Australia) 
1,980,400
19. Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Central African Republic)  
1,740,000
20. Golden Mountains of Altai (Russian Federation) 
1,611,457
21. Central Suriname Nature Reserve (Suriname)
1,600,000
22. Central Sikhote-Alin (Russian Federation)  
1,553,928
23. Manú National Park (Peru)  
1,532,806
24. Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (Bolivia) 
1,523,446
25. Serengeti National Park (United Republic of Tanzania)  
1,476,300
26. Tasmanian Wilderness (Australia)  
1,383,640
27. Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
1,372,625
28. Banc d'Arguin National Park (Mauritania)  
1,200,000
29. Comoé National Park (Côte d'Ivoire)  
1,149,250
30. Greater Blue Mountains Area (Australia) 
1,032,649
31. Laponian Area (Sweden)  
940,000
32. Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas (China)  
939,441
33. Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries (China)  
924,500
34. Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve (Russian Federation)  
916,300
35. Niokolo-Koba National Park (Senegal)  
913,000
36. Yellowstone National Park (United States of America)
898,349
37. Uvs Nuur Basin (Mongolia / Russian Federation)  
898,064
38. Wet Tropics of Queensland (Australia)
894,420
39. Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (Colombia)
857,500
40. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania)
809,440

A giant panda in the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary, World Heritage Site, China

A giant panda in the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary, World Heritage Site, China

Photo: David Sheppard

World Commission on Protected Areas
Facts and Figures 2008 in PDF