There are 257 natural World Heritage sites
218 classified as natural sites
39 mixed sites classified as both natural and cultural
About one in five World Heritage sites (22% of all 1153) are recognised for their outstanding natural values. Natural and mixed World Heritage sites protect over 369 million hectares (ha) of land and sea. This covers about 8% of the total area covered by 230,000+ protected areas.
111 countries have an area designated as a natural or mixed World Heritage site. The number of sites per region are:
- 82 in Asia and the Pacific
- 78 in Europe and North America
- 46 in Latin America and the Caribbean
- 44 in Africa
- 8 in Arab States
- 19 sites are transboundary
To date, 16 natural World Heritage sites are on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Top 10 biggest natural World Heritage sites
|
Site |
Country |
Total area (ha) |
|
1. French Austral Lands and Seas |
France |
67,297,900 |
|
2. Phoenix Islands Protected Area |
Kiribati |
40,825,813 |
|
3. Papahānaumokuākea |
USA |
36,479,268 |
|
4. Great Barrier Reef |
Australia |
34,823,325 |
|
5. Galápagos |
Ecuador |
14,696,203 |
|
6. Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek |
USA / Canada |
9,728,368 |
|
7. Lake Baikal |
Russia |
8,550,838 |
|
8. Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves |
Niger |
7,869,613 |
|
9. Tassili n’Ajjer |
Algeria |
7,571,268 |
|
10. Central Amazon Conservation Complex |
Brazil |
5,131,312 |
