World Network of Biosphere Reserves

The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves covers internationally-designated protected areas, known as biosphere reserves, that are meant to demonstrate a balanced relationship between man and nature (e.g. encourage sustainable development).

The network

Map showing the World Network of Biosphere Reserves as of 2009. Note: transboundary sites have been redistributed among the concerned countries for the locator map, hence, have been counted multiple times.

Although the Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme (MAB), the program behind the network, was only established in 1977, UNESCO has already began designating biosphere reserves in the preceding year. To date, total membership has reached 564 biosphere reserves in 109 countries occurring in all regions of the world. This already takes into account some biosphere reserves that have been withdrawn or revised through the years, as the program’s focus has shifted from simple protection of nature to areas displaying close interaction between man and environment.

UNESCO Region	Number of Biosphere Reserves	Number of Countries
Africa	52	22
Arab States	261	13
Asia and the Pacific	113	22
Europe and North America	258	31
Latin America and the Caribbean	104	19

¹ Includes the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean, shared between Morocco and Spain
^*Table not up to date

External links

• Searchable list of UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves