Forests are the lungs of our planet. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate rainfall, house wildlife, prevent soil erosion, and keep our climate stable. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), forests cover nearly 31% of Earth’s land area — but a few forests are so large that they shape the climate of entire continents.

This blog explores the top 20 biggest forests in the world, their geographical size, importance, ecosystems, and global significance. The information is compiled from authoritative sources such as Wikipedia, Earth.org, National Geographic, FAO, and ScienceFocus.

1. Taiga / Boreal Forest – The Largest Forest on Earth

Location: Russia, Canada, Alaska (USA), Scandinavia Type: Boreal / Coniferous Size**: ~17 million sq. km** Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiga

The Taiga is the largest biome and the largest forest on Earth, stretching across the entire northern hemisphere like a huge green ring. It covers 11% of the world’s land surface, more than any rainforest ever has. The forest lies in cold regions where winter lasts up to 6–7 months with temperatures dropping to –50°C. Trees here are built for survival—mainly spruce, fir, pine, and larch, which can withstand freezing climates due to their needle-like leaves and thick bark.

Climate & Environment

The Taiga has short summers, long winters, frozen soil, and frequent wildfires (a natural part of its regeneration cycle). Summers are mild, often between 10–20°C, allowing rapid plant growth during the short growing season.

Biodiversity

Despite the cold, Taiga forests support incredible wildlife such as:

• Siberian tigers

• Moose & elk

• Wolves & lynx

• Brown & black bears

• Migratory birds such as owls, woodpeckers, and warblers

Most animals here have thick fur and seasonal adaptations.

Global Importance

The Taiga is the world’s largest carbon storehouse because of its vast soil and peat layers, holding up to 40% of the world’s land carbon. Its trees also absorb large amounts of CO₂, helping fight global warming.

Threats

• Rising temperatures are melting permafrost

• Forest fires increasing due to climate change

• Logging for timber & paper industries

• Mining and oil exploration

The Taiga is essential for Earth's climate stability.

2. Amazon Rainforest – Largest Tropical Forest & Biodiversity Hotspot

Location: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana Type: Tropical Rainforest Size: ~5.5 million sq. km Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest and the most biologically diverse place on Earth. Often called the “Lungs of the Earth,” it plays a critical role in the global water cycle and carbon cycle. The rainforest experiences warm temperatures year-round, heavy rainfall, and lush green vegetation.

Biodiversity

The Amazon holds:

• 10% of all known plant and animal species on Earth

• 40,000+ plant species

• 2.5 million insect species

• Over 1,300 bird species

• Largest population of jaguars, anacondas, macaws, and freshwater dolphins

• Indigenous tribes (400+), some uncontacted

Ecological Features

The forest creates its own rainfall through evaporation. Moisture forms "flying rivers" that travel across Brazil and provide rainfall for agriculture and cities.

Importance

• Stores 90–140 billion tonnes of carbon

• Produces 20% of the world’s freshwater (via the Amazon River)

• Controls rainfall patterns across South America

• Acts as a barrier against global warming

Threats

• Deforestation (logging, cattle ranching, fires)

• Road projects & mining

• Illegal wildlife trade

• Reduced rainfall due to climate change

At the current rate, parts of the Amazon are nearing a tipping point where it could transform into savanna.

3. Congo Rainforest – The Heart of Africa

Location: Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, CAR, Equatorial Guinea Type: Tropical Rainforest Size: ~3.7 million sq. km Source: https://earth.org/world-rainforest-day-worlds-great-rainforests/

The Congo Rainforest is the second-largest rainforest on Earth and a climate powerhouse for Africa and the world. This forest is filled with rivers, swamps, dense canopy layers, and some of the most unique species on the continent.

Biodiversity

The Congo Basin is home to:

• Lowland gorillas

• Forest elephants

• Bonobos (closest relative to humans)

• Okapi

• 10,000+ tropical plant species

400+ mammal species

It supports the livelihoods of millions of Indigenous people.

Ecological Features

The Congo Basin’s dense canopy absorbs and stores CO₂ more efficiently than any other rainforest. Its river system is second only to the Amazon’s in water flow.

Importance

• Absorbs 1.2 billion tonnes of CO₂ every year

• Helps maintain Africa’s rainfall patterns

• Supports freshwater ecosystems that feed millions

• One of the world’s last intact rainforests

Threats

• Mining (cobalt, gold, coltan)

• Road expansion

• Agricultural expansion

• Wildlife poaching

Protecting the Congo is essential for Africa's climate stability.

4. New Guinea Rainforest – The Most Intact Large Rainforest Left

Location: Papua New Guinea & Indonesia Type: Tropical Rainforest Size: ~288,000 sq. km Source: https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/largest-rainforests-in-the-world/

The New Guinea Rainforest is the 3rd largest tropical rainforest, after the Amazon and Congo. What makes it unique is that it is one of the least disturbed major rainforests, with vast regions still untouched.

Biodiversity

New Guinea has:

• 5% of the world’s total biodiversity

• Birds-of-paradise, tree kangaroos, cassowaries

• Thousands of orchid species

• Coral reef ecosystems near the coasts

Environmental Features

The forest spans high mountains, dense jungles, and coastal mangroves. It receives heavy rainfall and has rich volcanic soil.

Importance

• Major carbon sink preventing climate change

• Supports Indigenous communities living sustainably

• Holds plant species crucial for medicines

• Maintains local rainfall patterns

Threats

• Palm oil expansion

• Illegal logging

• Mining

• Climate change & sea-level rise

New Guinea is often called the “last Eden” due to its untouched wilderness.

5. Valdivian Temperate Rainforest – Ancient Forest of South America

Location: Chile & Argentina Type: Temperate Rainforest Size: ~248,000 sq. km Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valdivian_temperate_forests

The Valdivian Forest is one of the few temperate rainforests in the world. It is famous for its ancient trees, icy rivers, lush undergrowth, and cool, humid climate.

Flora & Fauna

• Alerce trees (up to 3,500 years old)

• Bamboo, ferns, mosses

• Pumas, foxes, and birds like the Magellanic woodpecker

Many species here are endemic, meaning they exist nowhere else.

Environment

The forest receives heavy rainfall due to the Pacific winds. It has mild temperatures and supports rich vegetation all year round.

Importance

• One of the oldest forests on the planet

• Stores massive amounts of carbon

• Protects soil and water systems in Chile

• Provides habitat for endangered species

Threats

• Logging

• Agriculture

• Hydroelectric dams

• Invasive species

This forest is a global treasure, much older and rarer than tropical rainforests.

6. Great Bear Rainforest – The Coastal Guardian of Canada

Location: British Columbia, Canada Type: Temperate Rainforest Size: ~64,000 sq. km Source: https://www.green.earth/blog/the-10-largest-forests-in-the-world-and-what-makes-them-unique

The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the world’s largest intact temperate rainforests. Located along Canada’s Pacific coast, it is a region of towering cedars, deep fjords, glacial rivers, and mist-covered valleys.

Unique Wildlife

• Kermode bear (Spirit bear) — a rare white subspecies of black bear

• Grizzly bears

• Black wolves

• Salmon, sea otters, humpback whales in coastal zones

Its isolation has helped preserve its rich biodiversity.

Human & Ecological Importance

• Critical habitat for salmon, which support both wildlife and Indigenous cultures

• Absorbs high levels of carbon

• Lush forests help filter freshwater streams

Threats

• Logging (historically major; now restricted)

• Climate change affecting salmon runs

• Tourism pressures

The forest is now protected through agreements between Indigenous Nations and the Canadian government.

7. Tongass National Forest – America’s Carbon Champion

Location: Alaska, USA Type: Temperate Rainforest Size: ~68,000 sq. km Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongass_National_Forest

The Tongass is the largest national forest in the United States and the world’s biggest intact temperate rainforest. It includes thousands of islands, steep mountains, ice fields, and glacial fjords.

Flora & Fauna

• Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and giant cedars

• Brown bears, bald eagles, wolves

• Salmon-rich rivers and streams

Why It Matters

• Stores more carbon per acre than any other forest in the U.S.

• Critical habitat for American wildlife

• Provides cultural and economic resources for Alaska Native communities

Threats

• Logging and road expansion

• Climate change melting glaciers

• Salmon habitat disruption

The Tongass is often called “America’s climate forest” due to its carbon storage power.

8. Sundarbans Mangrove Forest – The Natural Shield of South Asia

Location: India & Bangladesh Type: Mangrove Forest Size: ~10,000 sq. km Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest, where the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers meet the Bay of Bengal. Known for its dense mangroves, mudflats, and tidal waterways, it is a completely unique ecosystem.

Wildlife

• Royal Bengal Tiger

• Estuarine crocodiles

• Fishing cats

• Spotted deer

• Many migratory bird species

Climate & Landscape

The forest experiences daily tides, making it a shifting landscape. Saltwater-tolerant trees like Avicennia and Heritiera dominate.

Importance

• Protects India & Bangladesh from cyclones and coastal erosion

• Absorbs carbon efficiently

• Supports coastal communities with fishing resources

Threats

• Sea-level rise

• Shrinking tiger habitat

• Pollution & human encroachment

The Sundarbans are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. Daintree Rainforest – The Oldest Tropical Forest on Earth

Location: Queensland, Australia Type: Tropical Rainforest Size: ~12,000 sq. km Source: https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/largest-forests-in-the-world

The Daintree Rainforest is often called the “oldest rainforest in the world,” estimated to be 135 million years old — older than the Amazon. It is a living museum of plant and animal evolution.

Biodiversity

• Tree kangaroos

• Cassowaries

• Ancient ferns and cycads

• Over 430 bird species

Environmental Features

• Warm, humid climate

• Coral reefs nearby (Great Barrier Reef)

• Dense canopy, rich in mosses and orchids

Importance

• Home to species that have existed since dinosaur times

• Critical to Australia's ecological balance

• UNESCO World Heritage Site

Threats

• Climate change

• Habitat fragmentation from roads and farms

The Daintree holds secrets about Earth’s evolutionary history.

10. Bosawas Biosphere Reserve – The Lungs of Central America

Location: Nicaragua Type: Tropical Rainforest Size: ~20,000 sq. km

Named after three major rivers (BOcay, SAslaya, WASpuk), the Bosawas Reserve is the second-largest tropical forest in the Western Hemisphere after the Amazon.

Biodiversity

• Jaguars, tapirs, spider monkeys

• Scarlet macaws and harpy eagles

• 200+ plant species

Human Importance

The reserve is home to the Indigenous Miskito and Mayangna peoples, who conserve the land through traditional practices.

Threats

• Illegal logging

• Land encroachment

• Cattle ranching

It remains one of the least explored major forests.

11. Xishuangbanna Rainforest – China’s Tropical Jewel

Location: Yunnan Province, China Type: Tropical Rainforest Size: ~19,000 sq. km

The Xishuangbanna rainforest is China’s largest rainforest region and home to a wealth of tropical species found nowhere else in the country.

Flora & Fauna

• Asian elephants

• Gibbons

• Clouded leopards

• 5,000+ plant species

Importance

• One of China’s last intact tropical forests

• Helps regulate local climate and rainfall

• A center of medicinal plant diversity

Threats

• Rubber plantations

• Tea farming

• Road expansion

Its biodiversity is comparable to Southeast Asian forests.

12. Hawaii Tropical Rainforest – Islands of Evolution

Location: Hawaii, USA Type: Tropical Rainforest Size: ~4,100 sq. km

The Hawaiian rainforests are unique because they evolved on volcanic islands separated from all other continents.

Wildlife

• Honeycreeper birds

• Hawaiian hoary bat

• Giant ferns, orchids

Importance

• Home to extremely rare, endemic species

• Important for freshwater production through fog capture

Threats

• Invasive species

• Volcanic eruptions

• Climate change

This forest is a prime example of island evolution.

13. Monteverde Cloud Forest – Garden in the Clouds

Location: Costa Rica Type: Cloud Forest

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is famous for its mist-covered canopy and incredible biodiversity.

Features

• Moisture comes from clouds, not rain

• High moss, fern, and epiphyte growth

• Home to the Resplendent Quetzal bird

Importance

• Research hub for climate and biodiversity studies

• Stores significant carbon

• Supports ecotourism for Costa Rica

Threats

• Rising temperatures reducing cloud formation

• Tourism pressure

Monteverde is a global symbol of conservation.

14. Kinabalu Rainforest – Borneo’s Biological Treasure

Location: Sabah, Borneo Type: Tropical & Montane Rainforest

The forests around Mount Kinabalu contain one of the richest ecosystems in Asia.

Biodiversity

• 6,000+ plant species

• Carnivorous pitcher plants

• Orangutans, gibbons, sun bears

Importance

• UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Key to Southeast Asian biodiversity

• High endemism

Threats

• Palm oil plantations

• Logging

One of the world’s most scientifically valuable forests.

15. Black Forest – Germany’s Legendary Woodlands

Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany Type: Temperate Forest Size: ~6,000 sq. km

The Black Forest gets its name from its dark, dense pine canopy.

Features

• Rolling hills, waterfalls, lakes

• Spruce, fir, beech trees

• Famous for folklore and tradition

Importance

• Central to German ecology & culture

• Supports tourism and wildlife

Threats

• Climate-driven bark beetle infestation

• Storm damage

The Black Forest blends ecological richness with human heritage.

16. Sinharaja Forest Reserve – Sri Lanka’s Green Heart

Location: Sri Lanka Type: Tropical Rainforest

This UNESCO-listed forest is one of the last remaining primary rainforests in Sri Lanka.

Wildlife

• Purple-faced langur

• Green-billed coucal

• Sri Lankan leopard

Importance

• Contains over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species

• Critical watershed forest

• Dense natural canopy

Threats

• Logging

• Agricultural expansion

Sinharaja is small but extremely rich in life.

17. Bavarian Forest – Europe’s Rewilding Success Story

Location: Germany Type: Temperate Forest

The Bavarian Forest National Park is part of the largest continuous forest area in Central Europe.

Features

• Spruce, fir, beech

• Lynx, wolves, boars

Importance

• Rewilding area where forests regenerate naturally

• Carbon storage and biodiversity hotspot

Threats

• Bark beetle outbreaks

• Climate change

It showcases natural recovery from disturbance.

18. Sierra Madre Occidental Forest – Mexico’s Mountain Forests

Location: Western Mexico Type: Pine-Oak Forest

The forests of Sierra Madre Occidental spread across mountains and valleys in western Mexico.

Wildlife

• Jaguars

• Pumas

• Military macaws

• 200+ reptile and bird species

Importance

• Stores large carbon stocks

• Supports Indigenous communities

• Key to Mexico's water cycle

Threats

• Mining

• Logging

• Farmland expansion

A critical biodiversity corridor.

19. Eastern Australian Temperate Forests

Location: New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria Type: Temperate & Eucalyptus Forests

These forests are known for iconic species and diverse landscapes.

Wildlife

• Koalas

• Kangaroos

• Lyrebirds

• Eucalyptus-dominant trees

Importance

• Controls southeastern Australia’s climate

• Home to unique marsupial species

Threats

• Bushfires

• Logging

• Urbanization

These forests are culturally and ecologically vital.

20. Madagascar Rainforests – Island of Endemics

Location: Madagascar Type: Tropical Rainforest

Madagascar’s rainforests are one of the world’s most unique ecosystems.

Biodiversity

• 90% of species are endemic

• Lemurs, chameleons, baobabs

• Dense canopy, medicinal plants

Importance

• Stores carbon

• Protects watersheds

• Supports local communities

Threats

• Slash-and-burn agriculture

• Deforestation

• Poaching

Madagascar is one of the most threatened major forest ecosystems.

Why the World’s Largest Forests Matter More Than Ever

The biggest forests on Earth are not just vast stretches of trees—they are living ecosystems that keep our planet alive. From the icy Taiga forests of the north to the hot, humid Amazon and Congo rainforests, these ecosystems regulate our climate, rainfall, temperature, biodiversity, and carbon balance.

They store billions of tonnes of carbon, protect coastlines, generate rainfall for agriculture, and support millions of Indigenous communities. They are home to half of all known species, many of which cannot survive anywhere else.

Yet, almost all these forests face similar threats:

• Deforestation for agriculture and plantations

• Climate change leading to fires and droughts

• Mining, logging, and habitat loss

• Sea-level rise, especially in mangrove forests

• Biodiversity decline due to human pressure

Understanding these forests helps us understand why conservation is not optional—it is critical for human survival. Protecting these forests today is the strongest investment we can make for a stable climate, healthy wildlife, and a livable future for the next generation.

FAQs

1. Which is the biggest forest in the world?

The Taiga (Boreal Forest) is the biggest forest in the world, covering around 17 million sq. km across Russia, Canada, Alaska, and Scandinavia. It is also the largest land biome on Earth.

2. Which is the largest rainforest in the world?

The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. It covers 5.5 million sq. km across nine South American countries and holds 10% of all known species.

3. What are the top 3 largest forests?

The top three largest forests on Earth are:

1. Taiga/Boreal Forest – ~17 million sq. km

2. Amazon Rainforest – ~5.5 million sq. km

3. Congo Rainforest – ~3.7 million sq. km

4. Why are forests important for the climate?

Forests absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate rainfall, maintain temperature, prevent soil erosion, and support millions of species. They are essential for controlling climate change.

5. How much of Earth is covered by forests?

According to the FAO, forests cover around 31% of the Earth’s land surface—but this is decreasing each year due to deforestation.

6. What is the oldest rainforest in the world?

The Daintree Rainforest in Australia, estimated at 135 million years old, is considered the world’s oldest rainforest—older than even the Amazon.

7. Which forest stores the most carbon?

The Taiga (Boreal Forest) stores the most carbon because of its enormous size and deep soil layers filled with peat and organic matter.

8. Which forest is the most biodiverse?

The Amazon Rainforest is the most biodiverse forest on Earth. It contains millions of plant, animal, insect, and bird species—many still undiscovered.

9. What is the largest mangrove forest in the world?

The Sundarbans Mangrove Forest (India & Bangladesh) is the largest mangrove forest globally, famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger.

10. Which forest is the least disturbed by humans?

The New Guinea Rainforest is considered the largest intact tropical forest left, with vast areas still untouched and rich in biodiversity.