Discover the world’s protected and conserved areas

Protected Planet is the most up to date and complete source of data on protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), updated monthly with submissions from governments, non-governmental organizations, landowners and communities.

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0%
Global coverage of protected areas and OECMs
16.44%

286,810: Protected Areas

Terrestrial and inland waters protected area coverage

8.34%

16,503: Protected Areas

Marine protected area coverage

17.54%

286,810: Protected Areas

6241: OECMs

Terrestrial and inland waters protected area & OECM coverage

8.45%

16,503: Protected Areas

200: OECMs

Marine protected area & OECM coverage

Statistics updated: Mar 2025 Download latest global statistics

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Terrestrial and Inland Waters Protected Areas
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Map Disclaimer
The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

• Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties.
• Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined.
• Final status of the Abyei area is not yet determined.
• A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Thematic Areas

303,313 Protected Areas

Protected Areas (WDPA)

The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive global database on terrestrial and marine protected areas.

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An API to access the worlds' protected areas

If you know you need an API to access the World's protected areas, or want to find our more information, please view the API page.

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01 March 25

March 2025 update of the WDPA, WD-OECM and GD-PAME

The total number of records in the March 2025 release of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is 305,196 (303,313 protected areas), comprising 293,259 polygons and 11,937 points and covering 244 countries and territories.

01 February 25

February 2025 update of the WDPA, WD-OECM and GD-PAME

The total number of records in the February 2025 release of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is 305,196 (303,313 protected areas), comprising 293,260 polygons and 11,936 points and covering 244 countries and territories.

01 January 25

January 2025 update of the WDPA, WD-OECM and GD-PAME

The total number of records in the January 2025 release of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is 305,195 (303,312 protected areas), comprising 293,259 polygons and 11,936 points and covering 244 countries and territories.

01 December 24

December 2024 update of the WDPA, WD-OECM and GD-PAME

The total number of records in the December 2024 release of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is 305,195 (303,312 protected areas), comprising 293,259 polygons and 11,936 points and covering 244 countries and territories.

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29 October 24

The Protected Planet Report 2024 is now live

The Protected Planet Report 2024 provides the first official review of global progress towards the world's commitment to Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

01 March 23

Achievement of 17% target for protected and conserved...

Achievement of 17% target for protected and conserved areas now reflected in official data

Updated

Protected Planet Report 2024

Tracking progress towards global targets for protected and conserved areas.

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Citation

UNEP-WCMC and IUCN (2025), Protected Planet: The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and World Database on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (WD-OECM) [Online], March 2025, Cambridge, UK: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN. Available at: www.protectedplanet.net.