Top 10 largest Marine Protected Area
Marine protected areas (MPA) are protected areas of seas, oceans, estuaries or large lakes. MPAs restrict human activity for a conservation purpose, typically to protect natural or cultural resources. According to the IUCN, there are around 5000 MPAs designated around the world.
Top 10 largest Marine Protected Area
These 10 largest marine protected areas encompass 74% of the global marine area protected and 80% of the global reserve area.
1. Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area
Country / location: Antarctica
Marine Protected Area type: Marine Protected Area
Designated year: 2017
Marine area (km sq.): 1,555,851
2. Phoenix Islands
Country / location: Republic of Kiribati
Marine Protected Area type: Marine Protected Area
Designated year: 2006*
Total area (km sq.): 410.5
Marine area (km sq.): 410.5
3. Great Barrier Reef
Country / location: Australia
Marine Protected Area type: Marine Park
Designated year: 1979
Total area (km sq.): 344.4
Marine area (km sq.): 344.4
Top 10 Countries with Freshwater Resources
4. Papahanaumokuakea
Country / location: USA
Marine Protected Area type: Marine National Monument
Designated year: 2000
Total area (km sq.): 341.4
Marine area (km sq.): 341.4
5. Marianas Trench
Country / location: Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (USA)
Marine Protected Area type: Marine National Monument
Designated year: 2009
Total area (km sq.): 246.6
Marine area (km sq.): 246.6
Top 10 Biggest Farms in the World
6. Pacific Remote Islands
Country / location: USA
Marine Protected Area type: Marine National Monument
Designated year: 2009
Total area (km sq.): 225.0
Marine area (km sq.): 225.0
7. Macquarie Island
Country / location: Australia
Marine Protected Area type: Marine Park
Designated year: 1999
Total area (km sq.): 162.0
Marine area (km sq.): 162.0
8. Galapagos
Country / location: Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)
Marine Protected Area type: Marine Reserve
Designated year: 1996
Total area (km sq.): 133.0
Marine area (km sq.): 133.0
9. Greenland
Country / location: Greenland (Denmark)
Marine Protected Area type: National Park
Designated year: 1974
Total area (km sq.): 972.0
Marine area (km sq.): 110.6
10. Seaflower
Country / location: Colombia
Marine Protected Area type: Marine Protected Area
Designated year: 2005
Total area (km sq.): 65.1
Marine area (km sq.): 65.0