Marine protected areas in Africa
Africa: Marine protected areas was 1.05 million sq. km in 2010. ▲ Rising
Marine protected areas in Africa, 1990–2010
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. Measured in sq. km.
Analysis
In 2010, marine protected areas in Africa stood at 1.05 million sq. km.
The figure is up 20.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, marine protected areas in Africa peaked at 1.05 million sq. km in 2009 and was at its lowest, 583,563 sq. km, in 1990.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 21 years of available data.
Marine protected areas in Africa, year by year
| Year | sq. km | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 583,563 sq. km | — |
| 1991 | 586,510 sq. km | +0.5% |
| 1992 | 604,986 sq. km | +3.2% |
| 1993 | 605,178 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 605,178 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 625,919 sq. km | +3.4% |
| 1996 | 643,193 sq. km | +2.8% |
| 1997 | 656,284 sq. km | +2.0% |
| 1998 | 666,720 sq. km | +1.6% |
| 1999 | 779,676 sq. km | +16.9% |
| 2000 | 869,814 sq. km | +11.6% |
| 2001 | 869,874 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 890,743 sq. km | +2.4% |
| 2003 | 935,734 sq. km | +5.1% |
| 2004 | 988,091 sq. km | +5.6% |
| 2005 | 988,091 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 988,092 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 988,092 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 988,092 sq. km | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 1.05 million sq. km | +6.5% |
| 2010 | 1.05 million sq. km | -0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 635,721 sq. km | 583,563 sq. km | 779,676 sq. km | 10 |
| 2000s | 955,850 sq. km | 869,814 sq. km | 1.05 million sq. km | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.05 million sq. km | 1.05 million sq. km | 1.05 million sq. km | 1 |
Countries ranked near Africa
- 1 Mauritania 331,155 sq. km compare
- 2 Congo 112,227 sq. km compare
- 3 Democratic Republic of Congo 103,159 sq. km compare
- 4 Tanzania 94,915 sq. km compare
More environment data for Africa
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -7.93 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -7.12 Percentage change (2025)
- Temperature change 1.32 °C (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.213 °C (2025)
- Primary wood and paper products (export/import) — Export value 5.54 million 1000 USD (2024)
- Roundwood, coniferous — Production 32.26 million m3 (2024)
- Roundwood — Export value 714,851 1000 USD (2024)
- Roundwood — Export quantity 3.78 million m3 (2024)
- Roundwood — Import value 182,147 1000 USD (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is marine protected areas in Africa?
- Marine protected areas in Africa was 1.05 million sq. km in 2010, according to 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.
- What is the highest marine protected areas recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.05 million sq. km in 2009.
- What is the lowest marine protected areas recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 583,563 sq. km in 1990.
- How does Africa rank for marine protected areas?
- Africa ranks 1st out of 6 groups with data for 2010.
- Is marine protected areas rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures 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 part of Marine protected areas (sq. km). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
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.