Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Terrestrial protected areas

Democratic Republic of the Congo
234,193 sq. km
in 2010
Sub-Saharan Africa
2.85 million sq. km
in 2010
Democratic Republic of the Congo rank
3rd
Sub-Saharan Africa rank
2nd

Terrestrial protected areas over time

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
01.0M2.0M3.0M199020002010

How they compare

Sub-Saharan Africa currently reports 2.85 million sq. km against 234,193 sq. km in Democratic Republic of the Congo, a difference of 2.61 million sq. km.

That makes Sub-Saharan Africa's figure about 12.2 times Democratic Republic of the Congo's.

Across all 21 years both countries report, Sub-Saharan Africa has been ahead every year.

Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks 3rd and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 2nd of 50 countries.

Sub-Saharan Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Democratic Republic of the Congo Sub-Saharan Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 234,075 sq. km 2.72 million sq. km 2.48 million sq. km Sub-Saharan Africa
2000s 234,191 sq. km 2.82 million sq. km 2.58 million sq. km Sub-Saharan Africa
2010s 234,193 sq. km 2.85 million sq. km 2.61 million sq. km Sub-Saharan Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher terrestrial protected areas, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Sub-Saharan Africa?
Sub-Saharan Africa, at 2.85 million sq. km against 234,193 sq. km in Democratic Republic of the Congo as of 2010.
What is the difference in terrestrial protected areas between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sub-Saharan Africa?
2.61 million sq. km, with Sub-Saharan Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sub-Saharan Africa?
21 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2010.
How do Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sub-Saharan Africa rank globally for terrestrial protected areas?
Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks 3rd and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 2nd of 50 countries.
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 Terrestrial protected areas (sq. km). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Democratic Republic of the Congo vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Terrestrial 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 17 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/terrestrial-protected-areas-sq-km/congo-dem-rep/sub-saharan-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Terrestrial 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
56 places, 1,170 data points, 1990–2010
Last refreshed

Nationally protected areas are totally or partially protected areas of at least 1,000 hectares that are designated as scientific reserves with limited public access, national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and areas managed mainly for sustainable use. Marine areas, unclassified areas, and litoral (intertidal) areas are not included. The data also do not include sites protected under local or provincial law.