Latin America & Caribbean

9767 Total Protected Areas
1292 With management effectiveness evaluations
Terrestrial Protected Areas
Marine Protected Areas
Other effective area-based conservation measures
0 Total Other effective area-based conservation measures
52 Number of countries
Polygons/Points ratio
Polygons 90%
Points 10%

Terrestrial Protected Areas Coverage

24.1% Coverage

4,949,567km2 Land Area Protected

20541462km2 Total Land Area

Marine Protected Areas Coverage

17.32% Coverage

3,967,159km2 Marine and Coastal Area Protected

22902092km2 Marine Area Protected

Disclaimer: These statistics might differ from those reported officially by countries due to difference in methodologies and datasets used to assess protected area coverage and differences in the base maps used to measure terrestrial and marine area of a country or territory.

IUCN Management Categories

Governance types

Sources (73)

  1. Protected Areas of Antigua and Barbuda Updated: 2020 Chief Environment Officer, The Environment Division, Ministry of Environment, Government of Antigua and Barbuda
  2. Áreas Protegidas Nacionales de Argentina administradas por la Administración de Parques Nacionales (APN) Updated: 2020 Administración de Parques Nacionales (APN)
  3. Areas Protegidas Provinciales, Reservas de Biosfera MaB-UNESCO, Sitios RAMSAR and Bienes de Patrimonio Mundial Natural y Cultural de Argentina Updated: 2018 Grupo de Trabajo sobre Áreas Protegidas Subsecretaría de Planificación y Política Ambiental Secretaría de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable
  4. Protected Areas of the Bahamas Updated: 2020 Bahamas National Trust
  5. Insular Caribbean Protected Area Database Updated: 2015 The Nature Conservancy and Collaborating Governments
  6. Protected Areas of Bolivia; Sistema de Información Geográfica del Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas Updated: 2015 Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SERNAP), Bolivia
  7. Protected Areas of Brazil Updated: 2020 Departamento de Áreas Protegidas, Secretaria de Biodiversidade e Florestas, Ministério do Meio Ambiente
  8. Protected Areas of the British Virgin Islands Updated: 2020 National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands
  9. Protected Areas System of Chile Updated: 2019 Ministerio del Medio Ambiente, Division de Recursos Naturales, Renovables y Biodiversidad
  10. National PA Registry of Colombia-RUNAP Updated: 2019 Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia
  11. Wildlife Protected Areas, Costa Rica Updated: 2019 Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservacion (SINAC), Costa Rica
  12. Protected areas of the Dominican Republic Updated: 2018 Ministry of Environment (MoE), Dominican Republic
  13. National System of Protected Areas, Ecuador Updated: 2020 Unidad de Áreas Protegidas, Dirección Nacional de Biodiversidad, Ministerio del Ambiente
  14. UNESCO World Heritage Sites Updated: 2020 IUCN World Heritage Programme
  15. Sistema Guatemalteco de Areas Protegidas (SIGAP) Updated: 2018 Departamento Unidades de Conservación (DUC), Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas (CONAP), Guatemala
  16. Protected Areas of Guyana Updated: 2020 Protected Areas Commission (PAC)
  17. Protected areas of Haiti Updated: 2020 Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine (FoProBiM) - Haiti
  18. Protected Areas of Honduras Updated: 2020 Departamento de Áreas Protegidas / Instituto de Conservación Forestal
  19. UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve Updated: 2018 UNESCO-MAB
  20. Protected Areas of Jamaica Updated: 2010 Mapping and Data Management, National Environment and Planning Agency, Jamaica
  21. Base de Datos Geográfica de Áreas Naturales Protegidas Federales, Sitios Ramsar, UNESCO-MAB, Patrimonio Mundial de México Updated: 2018 Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP)
  22. Protected Areas of the Dutch Caribbean Updated: 2020 Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance
  23. Global system of marine protected areas Updated: 1995 IUCN, the World Bank and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
  24. Sistema Nacional de Areas Protegidas (SINAP) de Nicaragua Updated: 2007 Sistema Nacional de Información Ambiental (SINIA), Chile, Dirección General de Patrimonio Natural (DGPN) and Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales (MARENA), Nicaragua
  25. Sistema Nacional de Areas Protegidas (SINAP) de Panama Updated: 2009 Administración de Sistemas de Información Ambiental, Dirección de Areas Protegidas y Vida Silvestre, Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (ANAM), Panama
  26. Protected Areas of Paraguay Updated: 2018 Secretaria del Ambiente, Paraguay
  27. Protected Areas of Peru Updated: 2019 Operativa Funcional de Gestion de la Informacion del SERNANP; Responsable de la Gestión del Información Espacial del SERNANP
  28. Protected areas of Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela Updated: 2002 Amazonia SURPA
  29. Washington Datafest with Conservation International October 2002 Updated: 2002 Conservation International, Washington, USA
  30. Protected Areas of Uruguay Updated: 2020 Sistema Nacional de Areas Protegidas (SNAP), Ministerio de Vivienda y Ordenamiento Territorial y Medio Ambiente
  31. Republica de Venezuela - Areas Bajo Regimen de Administracion Especial Updated: 1991 Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales Renovables and Servicio Autónomo Forestal Venezolano (SEFORVEN), Venezuela
  32. Protected Areas of Falkland Islands Updated: 2016 Falkland Islands Government. If data are re-used, please acknowledge the Falkland Islands Government (data source) and the IMS-GIS data centre (data custodian)
  33. Bolivia protected areas dataset Updated: 2004 Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SERNAP), Bolivia
  34. Protected Areas of Grenada Updated: 2020 Grenada Fisheries Division, Government of Grenada
  35. Protected Areas of Belize Updated: 2020 National Biodiversity Office
  36. Protected areas of the Commonwealth of Dominica Updated: 2020 The Nature Conservancy - Insular Caribbean Protected Area Database
  37. Protected Areas of El Salvador Updated: 2020 Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARN), El Salvador
  38. Galapagos Island Updated: 2004 The Directorate of the Galapagos National Park
  39. Official protected areas of Cuba Updated: 2019 National System of Protected Areas (SNAP), Cuba
  40. Indigenous Areas of Brazil Updated: 2011 Coordenação Geral de Geoprocessamento (CGGEO)/ Fundação Nacional do Índio (FUNAI ), Brazil
  41. Protected Areas of Bermuda Updated: 2017 Government of Bermuda, Ministry of Environment
  42. Protected Areas Database of the United States (PADUS 2.0) Updated: 2020 U.S. Geological Survey | Science Analytics and Synthesis | Gap Analysis Project (GAP) | Protected Areas Database of the United States 2.0
  43. Protected Areas of Cayman Islands Updated: 2016 Department of Environment, Cayman Islands
  44. Protected areas of Turks and Caicos Islands Updated: 1985 Ordnance Survey of UK
  45. Protected areas of Turks and Caicos Islands Updated: 1995 Not Reported
  46. Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance Updated: 2020 Ramsar Secretariat, on behalf of Ramsar Contracting Parties
  47. Protected Areas of Anguilla Updated: 2017 Anguilla National Trust
  48. Protected Areas of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Updated: 2014 Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment
  49. Protected areas of Saint Kitts and Nevis Updated: 2020 Department of Environment
  50. Fort George Updated: 1992 Department of Environment, Heritage and Park, Ministry of Natural Resources, Turks and Caicos Islands
  51. Common Database on Designated Areas as provided by the European Environment Agency (EEA) Updated: 2020 European Environment Agency (EEA)
  52. Site Ramsar (France) Updated: 2017 Inventaire National du Patrimoine Naturel
  53. Bolivia Protected Areas Updated: 2007 Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SERNAP), Bolivia
  54. Protected Areas of Brazil Updated: 2005 Fundação Nacional do Indio (FUNAI), Brazil
  55. UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserves Updated: 2012 UNESCO-MAB and UNEP-WCMC
  56. Cartagena Convention Updated: 2017 UNEP-CEP
  57. Lapa Rios Reserve, Costa Rica Updated: 2015 The Long Run
  58. Protected Areas Montserrat Updated: 2020 Sarita Francis. Montserrat National Trust
  59. Pueblo Originario Kichwa de Sarayaku Updated: 2020 Pueblo Originario Kichwa de Sarayaku
  60. Protected areas of the Caribbean Updated: 2002 UNEP Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP)
  61. Protected areas of Venezuela Updated: 1992 Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales Renovables (MARNR), Venezuelan Department of Environment
  62. World Heritage Sites Updated: 2003 UNEP-WCMC
  63. Protected areas of Venezuela Updated: 1996 Fundación para la Defensa de la Naturaleza (FUDENA), Caracas, Venezuela
  64. Hertenrits Updated: - Natuurbeschermingscommissie - Nature Protection Commission, c/o Nature Conservation Div. of the Forest Service, Suriname
  65. Source is currently unknown Updated: - Not Reported
  66. Sandy Island Updated: 1993 Not Reported
  67. Rural development areas in Venezuela Updated: 1991 Instituto Nacional de Parques (INPARQUES), Venezuela
  68. Protected areas of Venezuela Updated: 1996 Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales (INRENA), Venezuela
  69. Indigenous areas Brazil Updated: 2005 BGE e Diretoria do Serviço Geográfico (DSG), Sistema de Terras Indígenas (STI) da Fundação Nacional do Índio (FUNAI) /DAF, Brazil
  70. Marine and coastal areas of Venezuela Updated: 1995 Fundación para la Defensa de la Naturaleza (FUDENA), Caracas, Venezuela
  71. Meseta La Galera Protected Area Updated: 2004 Bioparques, Venezuela
  72. UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserves Updated: 2003 UNESCO-MAB
  73. UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve Updated: 2005 Bureau of the International Co-ordinating Council of the MAB Programme (MAB-ICC) (19th Sesssion), UNESCO HQ Paris

Designations

National designations

9201
  • Marine Reserve 41
  • Nature Monument 13
  • Nature Reserve 201
  • National Park 535
  • National Park and Indigenous Territory 1
  • National Wildlife Reserve 2
  • Andean Fauna National Reserve 1
  • Biological Reserve 101
  • Park 479
  • Marine Park 54
  • Forest Reserve 223
  • Fauna and Flora Sanctuary 10
  • National Natural Park 43
  • Park Way 1
  • Managed Resource Use Area 5
  • National Marine Park 2
  • Underwater Park 2
  • Private Reserve 30
  • National Reserve 58
  • National Sanctuary 9
  • Historic Sanctuary 4
  • Natural Monument 182
  • Nature Park 3
  • Wildlife Refuge 222
  • Marine Protected Area 30
  • State Park 58
  • National Park - Core Area 2
  • Protected Area 36
  • Marine National Park 10
  • Wildlife Sanctuary 10
  • Wildlife Reserve 30
  • Natural Park 7
  • Protected Landscape 50
  • Wilderness Area 1
  • National Monument 4
  • State Reserve 20
  • Strict Nature Reserve 2
  • Natural Reserve 14
  • Game Reserve 1
  • National Nature Reserve 12
  • Sanctuary 23
  • Scientific Reserve 9
  • Biosphere Reserve 58
  • Local Area Planning 14
  • Multiple Use Area 13
  • Protected Forest / Forest Reserve 1
  • Ecological Station 96
  • Ecological Reserve 75
  • Conservation Area 5
  • Fauna Production Reserve 5
  • Protected Biotope 6
  • National Wildlife Refuge 70
  • Integral Nature Reserve 4
  • Protected Zone 32
  • Cultural Monument 9
  • Tourist Nature Reserve 10
  • Protected Forest 2
  • Provincial Park 45
  • Regional Nature Park 2
  • Other Categories 6
  • Regional Park 3
  • Resource Reserve 2
  • Protected Landscape and Seascape 1
  • Historic Site 1
  • Landscape Protection Area 1
  • Botanical Reserve 1
  • Marine National Reserve 3
  • Environmental Protection Area 375
  • National Recreation Area 13
  • Bird Sanctuary 1
  • Hunting Reserve 2
  • Fishery Reserve 2
  • Area of Relevant Ecological Interest 59
  • Other Area 10
  • Protective Zone 54
  • Indigenous Area 708
  • Forest 108
  • Wilderness Nature Reserve 7
  • Ecological and Forest Reserve 1
  • Nature / Wildlife Reserve 1
  • National Landmark 1
  • Not Reported 31
  • Public Reserve 6
  • Protected Area with Managed Resources 5
  • Natural Area 63
  • Watershed Protection Reserve 2
  • Private Natural Reserve 185
  • Replenishment Zone 15
  • Environmental Zone 1
  • Landscape/Seascape 13
  • Protected Area of Managed Resources 20
  • Multiple Use Management Area 4
  • Fish Sanctuary 9
  • Habitat Management Area 15
  • Fisheries Protected 9
  • Priority Area of Interest 8
  • Surveyed/Undesignated Protected Area 14
  • Species Management Area 5
  • Animal Sanctuary 2
  • Booby Pond Nature Reserve 1
  • Forest Managed Biological Reserve 1
  • Forest Integral Biological Reserve 5
  • Marine Managed Area 8
  • Land Acquired By Conservatoire Du Littoral (National Seaside And Lakeside Conservancy) 145
  • Nature Wildlife Reserve 1
  • Mixed Integral Nature Reserve 1
  • Provincial Refuge 1
  • Multiple Use Reserve 19
  • Total Reserve 1
  • Cultural and Nature Reserve 1
  • Protected Nature Area 7
  • Provincial Nature Reserve 9
  • Provincial Nature Park and Natural Forest Reserve 1
  • Provincial Faunal Reserve 1
  • Intangible Nature Reserve 3
  • Recreation Area 13
  • Nature Reserve and Marine Reserve 1
  • Flora and Fauna Protection Area 40
  • Natural Heritage Private Reserve 989
  • Botanical Garden and Research Center 1
  • Area of Historical Interest 7
  • Provincial Nature Park 2
  • University Park 1
  • Flora and Fauna Reserve with Managed Resources 1
  • Sustainable Development Reserve 39
  • Biosphere Reserve and Indigenous Territory 1
  • National Flora and Fauna Reserve 1
  • Forest Plot 8
  • Protection Forest 6
  • Multiple Use Nature Reserve 13
  • Archaeological Reserve 16
  • Managed Resource Reserve 5
  • Nature Fauna Reserve 1
  • Tourist and Forest Provincial Reserve 1
  • Flora and Fauna Reserve 2
  • Provincial Reserve 20
  • Nature Water Reserve 1
  • Wilderness Study Area 4
  • Wilderness 1
  • State Conservation Area 42
  • Wildlife Reserve / Marine Park 1
  • Marine Reserve / Marine Conservation Area / Wildlife Reserve 1
  • Marine Conservation Area 1
  • Nature and Cultural Reserve 2
  • Communal Reserve 10
  • Scientific Monument 1
  • Hunting Preserve 2
  • Genetic Resources Reserve 3
  • Historical Monument 1
  • Municipal Nature Park 7
  • Scientific Nature Reserve 1
  • Unique Natural Area 1
  • Marine Conservation Area / Wildlife Reserve 1
  • Marine Park / Marine Reserve / Wildlife Reserve 1
  • Extractive Reserve 95
  • Managed Flora Reserve 43
  • Private Wildlife Refuge 12
  • Private Refuge 2
  • Tourist and Scientific Research Nature Reserve 1
  • Educational Nature Reserve 1
  • Tourism Management Area 2
  • Q.E. II Botanic Park 1
  • Experimental Area 1
  • Historic Area 7
  • Salina Reserve 1
  • Brac Parrot Reserve 1
  • Indigenous Reserve 19
  • Natural Outstanding Element 33
  • Natural Private Reserve 36
  • National Park and Ecological Reserve 1
  • Marine Natural Monument 1
  • Habitat/Species Management Area 11
  • Anthropological and Forest Reserve 2
  • Landscape and/or Marine Protected 2
  • Private Forest Reserve 1
  • Natural Protected Area 83
  • Conservation Reserve 2
  • Research Natural Area 1
  • Wildlife Area 1
  • Biotope Protection Order 35
  • National Park - Buffer Zone/Area Of Adhesion 2
  • National Forest 1
  • Research or Educational Area 1
  • Nature Sanctuary 55
  • Protected Nature Area - Protected Landscape 1
  • Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve 1
  • Landscape Reserve 2
  • National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area 1
  • National Protective Forest Reserves 59
  • Mastic Reserve 1
  • Water Production Reserve 2
  • Wetland of International Importance 6
  • Absolute Natural Reserve 1
  • Wetland 11
  • Permanent closure zone 30
  • Regional Municipal Park 69
  • Recreational natural municipal park 1
  • Watershed Reserve 3
  • Special Zone of Marine Protection 1
  • International Park 1
  • Biological Corridor 1
  • Hydrological Reserve 14
  • Private Natural Protected Area 2
  • Ecological Conservation 96
  • City Park 79
  • Special Protection Zone 2
  • Voluntary Conservation Area 336
  • Municipal Park 31
  • Area Subject to Ecological Conservation 2
  • Ecological Preservation 4
  • Ecological Conservation Area 36
  • Ecological Conservation Zone 4
  • Sustainable Use Area 10
  • Ecological Restoration Area 4
  • Natural Resources Protection Area 9
  • Protection Zone 4
  • Biotic Reserve 1
  • Ecological Park 11
  • Ecological Restoration 1
  • Patrimonial Reserve 2
  • Natural protected area and ecological reserve 1
  • Designated Protected Area 2
  • Private Nature Reserve 14
  • Protected Nature and Cultural and Landscape Reserve 1
  • Geobotanical Reserve 1
  • Restricted Zone 10
  • Provincial Nature Monument 1
  • Ichthyic Reserve 1
  • Limited Use Area Under Special Protection 4
  • Cultural Nature Reserve 1
  • Provincial Reserve and Park 1
  • Provincial Park and Forest Reserve 1
  • Species/Habitat Management Area 1
  • Regional Park and Natural Recreational Area 1
  • Natural Integrated Management Area and National Park 2
  • Natural Integrated Management Area 12
  • National Natural Integrated Management Area 1
  • Integrated Management Natural Area 2
  • National Park and Natural Integrated Management Area 1
  • Indigenous Territory 2
  • Governor Michael Gore Bird Sanctuary 1
  • No Diving Zones 2
  • Central Mangrove Wetland 1
  • Grouper Spawning Site 8
  • Marine Sanctuary 2
  • Marine and Coastal Protected Area 13
  • Mangrove Reserve 1
  • Spawning Aggregation Site Reserves 11
  • Cultural Heritage Landscape and National Park 1
  • Scientific Ecological and Archaeological Reserve 1
  • Andean Fauna National Reserve and National Park 1
  • National Historical Park 2
  • Fiscal Reserve 1
  • Area of Immobilization 4
  • Private Protected Area 2
  • Ecological Corridor 3
  • Private Conservation 16
  • Conservation Easement 1
  • Wild and Scenic River 3
  • Private Recreation or Education 3
  • Recreation Management Area 1
  • Marine Nature Park 1
  • Marine Mammal Sanctuary 3
  • Via Panoramica 10
  • State Resource Management Area 15
  • Private Other or Unknown 2
  • Watershed Protection Area 4
  • Flora Sanctuary 1
  • Marine Management Area 2
  • Regional Nature Reserve 2
  • Nassau Grouper & Species Protection 2
  • Regional Conservation Area 21
  • Private Conservation Area 134
  • Regional Natural Parks 58
  • Regional Protective Forest Reserves 96
  • Integrated Management Regional Districts 100
  • Soil Conservation Districts 16
  • Civil Society Nature Reserve 801
  • Interjurisdictional Coastal Marine Park 1
  • Interjurisdictional Marine Park 2
  • Cultural Landmark 6
  • Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve 9
  • National Scenic or Historic Trail 1
  • Managed Nature Reserve 2
  • Municipal Reserve 5
  • Fisheries Reserve 4
  • Municipal Nature Reserve 4
  • Multiple Use Provincial Reserve 6
  • Nature Forest Reserve 1
  • Nature Reserve of Define Objects 1
  • Provincial Water Reserve 1
  • Reserva Pública 1
  • Nature Historical and Cultural Heritage Site 1
  • Reserve with purposes of public utility 1
  • Urban Nature Reserve 1
  • Protected Landscape Reserve 1
  • Urban Multiple Use Nature Reserve 1
  • Plant Preserve 1
  • Municipal Protected Area 25
  • Cultural Heritage Landscape 27
  • Immobilization Forestry and Water Zone 1
  • Municipal Sanctuary 1
  • Archaeological Park 2
  • Immobilization Reserve 1
  • Natural Archaeological Monument 1
  • Biopark 1
  • Metropolitan Park 1
  • Wildlife and Forest Preserve 1
  • Ecological Protection Park 1
  • Departmental Reserve 1
  • National Historic Park 1
  • Tourist Natural Monument 1
  • National Heritage Ecological Reserve 1
  • Natural Park and Integrated Management Area 1
  • Departmental Park 1
  • Natural Integrated Management Area and Departmental Parkl 1
  • Fauna Sanctuary 1
  • Ecological Area of Conservation 3
  • Multiple Use Protected Area 1
  • Marine Protected Area / Protected Land and Seascape 1
  • Marine Management Area / Marine Reserve 3
  • National Park and Marine Management Area 2
  • Local Fisheries Marine Management Area 1
  • Protected Perimeter Around A National Nature Reserve 1
  • Blue Iguana Reserve 1
  • Brac Splits 1
  • Currently Unnamed 1
  • Iguana Nesting Site 1
  • Mahogany Estates 1
  • Mission House 1
  • Salt Rocks Land 1
  • Prohibited Scuba Diving Zone 1
  • Wildlife Interaction Zone 2
  • Sparrowhawk Hill 1
  • The Marshes 1
  • Restoration Zone 1
  • Nature Reserve of Defense 8
  • Managed Resource 3
  • Natural Water Reserve 2
  • Private Multiple Use Reserve 3
  • Reserva Hídrica Natural 1
  • University Resource Reserve 1
  • Municipal Forest Reserve 2
  • Water and Forest Reserve 1
  • Protected landscape 3
  • Special Protection Area 1
  • Integrated Management National Districts 4
  • Community Protected Area 2
  • Multiple Use Municipal Ecological Reserve 1
  • Marine Strict Nature Reserve 2
  • Managed Natural Resources Protected Area 3
  • Protection of Biological Diversity 1
  • Exceptional Natural Element 1
  • Living Forest of Sarayaku 1
  • Protection and Restoration Area 8
  • Terrestrial Protected Landscape 14
  • Federal Dependency 1
  • Critical Priority Area 7
  • Littoral Park 1
  • Rural Development Area 7
  • Zone of Agricultural Development 6
  • Recreational Area 3
  • Fish Nursery Reserve 1
  • Forest Area under Protection 39
  • Scientific Use Area Under Special Protection 1
  • Natural Landmark 4
  • Natural LandMark 1
  • Natrual Landmark 1
  • Recreational Aeea 1
  • Natural Tourist Reserve 5
  • Ictica Natural Reserve 1
  • Private Nature Refuge 1
  • Rural School Park 1
  • Provincial Flora and Fauna Reserve 1
  • Public Tourist Park 1
  • Conservation Unit 1
  • Ictica Reserve 1
  • Natural reserve 1

Regional designations

28
  • Specially Protected Area (Cartagena Convention) 28

International designations

538
  • UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve 119
  • World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) 46
  • Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 373

Latin America & Caribbean Protected Areas

View all

12-Mile Bank East Grouper Hole

12-Mile Bank West Grouper Hole

34 Z-1 P1/1 (Ejido Boca del Monte)

citation

UNEP-WCMC (2020). Protected Area Profile for Latin America & Caribbean from the World Database of Protected Areas, October 2020. Available at: www.protectedplanet.net