Forest area is an immense landmass covered with trees, a natural habitat for different living beings, such as plants and animals. They are a source of vital natural resources and play a crucial role in oxygen production, climate regulation, and biodiversity conservation.
Some nations are home to vast forested regions, which contribute significantly to environmental stability. The largest countries by forest area include Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and China. With over 31% of the land area is forest, providing a stable life on Earth surface. Data published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ranks the countries by forest cover.
Key highlights about Earth by forest area
The Earth covers approximately 4.06 billion hectares (31%) of the total land as forest. The top five countriesâRussia, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and Chinaâcollectively hold more than 54% of the forest. China, Australia, and India have made significant progress in afforestation and reforestation efforts.
| Forest Area (km2) | 42,726,835 km2 |
| Area in Percentage (%) | 30.6% |
| Largest Country | Russia – 20.1% |
| Smallest Country | Malta |
Russia holds the largest forest area in the world, covering over 8.2 million square kilometers. The vast Siberian taiga, which stretches across most of the country, is 1/5 of the worldâs total forest reserves. After Russia, Brazil is the Second Largest Country in terms of Forest Area
Largest Country in terms of Forest Cover
Forest Area in square kilometre and in Percentage(%)
| ^ | Countries | Forest Area (km2) | World Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| – | Earth | 40.6 million km2 | 100% |
| 1 | Russia | 8,153,116 | 20.1% |
| 2 | Brazil | 4,953,914 | 12.3% |
| 3 | Canada | 3,468,911 | 8.6% |
| 4 | United States | 3,097,950 | 7.7% |
| 5 | China | 2,218,578 | 5.5% |
| 6 | Australia | 1,340,051 | 3.3% |
| 7 | DR Congo | 1,250,539 | 3.1% |
| 8 | Indonesia | 915,277 | 2.3% |
| 9 | India | 724,264 | 1.8% |
| 10 | Peru | 721,575 | 1.8% |
| 11 | Angola | 660,523 | 1.6% |
Forests are essential for maintaining ecological balance, supporting wildlife, and providing resources for human societies. However, they face increasing threats from deforestation, climate change, and human activities. Sustainable forest management, conservation efforts, and international cooperation are necessary to preserve these invaluable ecosystems for future generations. As the largest forested nations continue to play a crucial role in environmental stability, their policies and actions will have a lasting impact on global biodiversity and climate health.
Reference
Source: Global Forest Resources Assessment reports by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
See also: Largest countries in the world by area
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.