North Africa vs South Africa: Marine protected areas

North Africa
108,915 sq. km
in 2010
South Africa
79,144 sq. km
in 2010
North Africa rank
6th
South Africa rank
6th

Marine protected areas over time

  • North Africa
  • South Africa
025.0k50.0k75.0k100.0k199020002010

How they compare

North Africa currently reports 108,915 sq. km against 79,144 sq. km in South Africa, a difference of 29,771 sq. km.

That makes North Africa's figure about 1.4 times South Africa's.

Across all 21 years both countries report, North Africa has been ahead every year.

North Africa ranks 6th and South Africa ranks 6th of 6 groups.

North Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade North Africa South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 62,285 sq. km 8,304 sq. km 53,980 sq. km North Africa
2000s 98,080 sq. km 63,450 sq. km 34,630 sq. km North Africa
2010s 108,915 sq. km 79,144 sq. km 29,772 sq. km North Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher marine protected areas, North Africa or South Africa?
North Africa, at 108,915 sq. km against 79,144 sq. km in South Africa as of 2010.
What is the difference in marine protected areas between North Africa and South Africa?
29,771 sq. km, with North Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for North Africa and South Africa?
21 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2010.
How do North Africa and South Africa rank globally for marine protected areas?
North Africa ranks 6th and South Africa ranks 6th of 6 groups.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, as compiled by the World Resources Institute, based on data from national authorities, national legislation and inter, published as Marine protected areas (sq. km). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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North Africa vs South Africa: Marine protected areas. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, as compiled by the World Resources Institute, based on data from national authorities, national legislation and inter. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/marine-protected-areas-sq-km/north-africa/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Marine protected areas (sq. km)
Unit
sq. km
Source
United Nations Environmental Program and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, as compiled by the World Resources Institute, based on data from national authorities, national legislation and inter
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
43 places, 899 data points, 1990–2010
Last refreshed

Marine protected areas are areas of intertidal or subtidal terrain--and overlying water and associated flora and fauna and historical and cultural features--that have been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment.