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Protected areas

This dataset provides country-level protected area coverage for terrestrial, marine and coastal domains calculated from the World Database on Protected Areas (<a href="https://www.protectedplanet.net/en/thematic-areas/wdpa?tab=WDPA">WDPA</a>). It provides disaggregations of protected area total by IUCN management objectives. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://www.iucn.org/">IUCN</a>) has developed an internationally agreed definition of protected areas, which classify them as strict nature reserves and wilderness areas (Ia and Ib), national parks (II), natural monuments or features (III), habitat or species management areas (IV), protected landscapes or seascapes (V), and protected areas with sustainable use of natural resources (VI). Please see the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1787/e0796071-en">working paper</a> for a more complete description of the methods.

<br /><br />The dataset has a global coverage on the national level and spans the period 1950-2024. A number of country aggregates are included: Euro area, European Union, Advanced economies, Emerging market economies, G7, G20, OECD, OECD Europe, OECD Asia Oceania, OECD Americas and Latin American countries.

<br></br><b>Data source(s)</b>: Protected area data from the <a href="https://www.protectedplanet.net/en/thematic-areas/wdpa?tab=WDPA">World Database on Protected Areas</a>.

<br></br><b>Contact</b>: <a href="mailto:ENV.Stat@oecd.org">ENV.Stat@oecd.org</a>