South Africa vs Zimbabwe: Terrestrial protected areas

South Africa
84,129 sq. km
in 2010
Zimbabwe
109,447 sq. km
in 2010
South Africa rank
16th
Zimbabwe rank
13th

Terrestrial protected areas over time

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

How they compare

Zimbabwe currently reports 109,447 sq. km against 84,129 sq. km in South Africa, a difference of 25,318 sq. km.

That makes Zimbabwe's figure about 1.3 times South Africa's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 21 shared years of data; in 1990 it was South Africa ahead.

South Africa ranks 16th and Zimbabwe ranks 13th of 50 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, South Africa averaged higher in 1 and Zimbabwe in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade South Africa Zimbabwe Difference Ahead
1990s 82,929 sq. km 70,512 sq. km 12,416 sq. km South Africa
2000s 84,119 sq. km 101,661 sq. km 17,542 sq. km Zimbabwe
2010s 84,129 sq. km 109,447 sq. km 25,318 sq. km Zimbabwe

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher terrestrial protected areas, South Africa or Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe, at 109,447 sq. km against 84,129 sq. km in South Africa as of 2010.
What is the difference in terrestrial protected areas between South Africa and Zimbabwe?
25,318 sq. km, with Zimbabwe ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Zimbabwe?
21 years are reported by both, from 1990 to 2010.
How do South Africa and Zimbabwe rank globally for terrestrial protected areas?
South Africa ranks 16th and Zimbabwe ranks 13th 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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South Africa vs Zimbabwe: 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 20 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/terrestrial-protected-areas-sq-km/south-africa/zimbabwe/

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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.