Unique ecosystems and reserves: top 5 countries with the largest number of forests

On our planet, 29% of the territory is covered by land, of which 31% is occupied by forests. Due to their geographical location, certain countries benefit from the large coverage of these dense forests that exist within their borders.

News Bytes has collected information about the 5 countries with the largest forest area in the world. And also about the peculiarities of the green areas of each country.

1. Russia

Russia has the world's largest forest area - 8,151,356 square kilometers, which is about a fifth of the world's forest area. Covering almost half of Russia's territory, these dense forests are home to several species of flora (pine, birch, fir, spruce, conifers, etc.) and the wildest fauna imaginable. Rivers, wetlands, lakes, and swamps are intertwined.

2. Brazil

Next on the list is Brazil, which has 4,984,580 square kilometers of forests and has become the second largest country in the world with such a huge green belt. In fact, about 62.4% of the country's territory is covered by forests, which are home to approximately 40,000 different species of flora, 400 species of mammals and 1,300 species of birds.

3. Canada

Believe it or not, Canada's vast forests account for nine percent of the world's total forest area. With a staggering 3,473,020 square kilometers of forest land, which is about 30% of its territory, the country is a haven for a variety of plants and animals. Ontario accounts for 20% of Canada's forests, which is approximately two percent of the global total.

4. United States of America

The United States once had a billion acres of forests, and today it covers 3,313,622 square kilometers, making it the fourth largest country in terms of forest area. The country has several ecosystems, each home to a mix of wildlife and natural vegetation. The states of Maine (89.4%), New Hampshire (84.3%), and American Samoa (80.8%) are among the top three with the highest forest cover.

5. China

With 211,405,700 square kilometers of forested land, China ranks fifth in the list of countries with the largest forest area. The Xishuangbanna Biosphere Reserve consists of five sub-reserves that include the largest and most complete tropical forest in the country. According to facts and data, from 1978 to 2023, China's forest cover increased significantly by more than 10%.