International Forest Day: Countries with the largest forest area
RussiaRussia holds the largest forest area globally, covering around 815 million hectares, accounting for about 20 per cent of the world’s forests.
BrazilHome to the Amazon Rainforest, accounting for 60 per cent of the country’s forest area. Brazil has approximately 497 million hectares of forest, making it second on the list.
CanadaCanada’s forests span nearly 347 million hectares, constituting to nine per cent of the world’s forest area. These are dominated by boreal forests that cover vast northern regions.
United StatesThe US has around 310 million hectares of forest, including temperate rainforests, boreal forests and diverse woodlands. The largest forest cover is in Alaska, followed by California and Oregon.
ChinaChina boasts about 220 million hectares of forest, a number increasing due to aggressive afforestation efforts and conservation policies. The forests are home to endangered species like the giant panda.
AustraliaAustralia has roughly 134 million hectares of forest, with eucalyptus and acacia species dominating the landscape. The country’s forests are highly vulnerable to bushfires.
Democratic Republic of the CongoThe Congo Basin rainforest contributes to the DRC’s 126 million hectares of forest, the largest in Africa.
IndonesiaIndonesia has about 92 million hectares of tropical forest, rich in biodiversity but facing deforestation threats.
PeruPeru has approximately 72 million hectares of forest, much of which lies in the Amazon Basin, supporting diverse ecosystems.
IndiaIndia covers nearly 72 million hectares of forest, including mangroves, tropical rainforests and deciduous forests across various states.