Amazon Rainforest To Sundarbans: Top 10 Largest Forest In The World – News18

Last Updated:February 25, 2025, 14:26 IST

GK: Explore these ten largest forests and discover their rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems and global significance.

GK, General Knowledge: Forests act as the lungs of the world, absorbing carbon dioxide exhaled by living creatures and releasing oxygen essential for all life. They are biodiversity hotspots, home to a vast number of flora and fauna. Covering about one-third of the planet, forests help regulate the climate, provide habitats for wildlife, and serve as a source of numerous natural resources, including medicines.

With that said, join us as we journey into the heart of these green landscapes and explore the ten largest forests on Earth.

Top 10 Largest Forest In The World

Amazon Rainforest
Located in South America, the Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest, spanning approximately 5.5 million square kilometres. It stretches across nine countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, and French Guiana. The forest is home to a vast array of biodiversity, including over 2.5 million insects, 40,000 plant species, 1,300 bird species, and 430 mammals.

Congo Rainforest
Covering an area of 3.7 million square kilometres in Central Africa, the Congo Basin is the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hosts an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna, including endangered species such as the forest elephant and the bonobo. The Congo Basin is also vital to local communities for food, medicine, and shelter.

Valdivian Temperate Rainforest
Spread across Chile and Argentina, the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest covers approximately 248,100 square kilometres. Home to towering trees and several endemic species, conservation efforts in the Valdivian rainforest are crucial to preserving regional biodiversity.

Taiga
Also known as the Boreal Forest, Taiga is the largest northern forest in the world, spanning more than 11.5 million square kilometres. It stretches across Canada, Russia, and Northern Europe. Characterised by coniferous trees such as fir and spruce, the region experiences long, cold winters and short summers. It is home to various wildlife, including moose, bears, and wolves.

Daintree Rainforest
Situated in Australia, the Daintree Rainforest forms part of the largest contiguous area of tropical rainforest in the country. It covers an area of approximately 1,200 square kilometres and is home to an incredible variety of plant and animal species.

Tongass National Forest
The largest forest in the United States, Tongass National Forest covers much of Alaska. Spanning approximately 68,062 square kilometres, this temperate rainforest is characterised by towering trees and sustains diverse wildlife, including bears, salmon, and bald eagles.

Sundarbans
The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. Spanning an area of 3,860 square miles across India and Bangladesh, it is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sundarbans boasts a unique ecosystem and rich biodiversity, including spotted deer, saltwater crocodiles, wild boar, Gangetic dolphins, and over 260 species of birds.

Black Forest
Did you know that the Black Forest has inspired several fairy tales? We aren’t joking—famous stories such as Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, and Sleeping Beauty draw inspiration from this enchanted woodland. Known for its dense canopy of evergreen trees, the Black Forest is a vast mountain range in Germany.

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Great Bear Rainforest
Located along the central and northern coast of British Columbia, Canada, the Great Bear Rainforest spans approximately 6.4 million hectares. It is home to some of the rarest animal species in the world, including the white Kermode (spirit bear), grizzly bears, and salmon.

New Guinea Tropical Rainforest
Covering Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, this tropical rainforest is home to over 1,000 indigenous tribes. Spanning approximately 545,000 square kilometres, a large portion of this forest remains unexplored, making it a significant area of interest for researchers worldwide. The New Guinea Tropical Rainforest is home to an estimated 5-10 per cent of all animal species on Earth.