Which is the Largest Forest in the World?

Last Updated: May 11, 2026, 19:15 IST

You May Have Read About It in Geography Books, But Do You Know Why This Forest Is Considered the Largest in the World?

Largest Forest in the World
Largest Forest in the World

Do you know which part of the world has the most trees, a huge number of animals and the most oxygen? Well, we will be discussing that particular place today which is known as the largest forest in the world and why this place matters for the whole earth. 

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Which is the Largest Forest in the World?

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Source: WWF

The Amazon Rainforest is the world's biggest forest. It covers a total area of 6.7 million sq. km. in South America. Simply stated, this forest is large enough to virtually cover nearly 40% of the South American continent.

The WWF website mentions: “The Amazon covers a huge area (6.7 million sq km) of South America.”

Where Exactly is the Amazon Rainforest?

The Amazon forest is shared by eight countries which are Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, which is an overseas territory of France. Almost 60% of the Amazon is in Brazil, making it the largest portion of this forest. 

The World Wildlife Fund mentions: “Nearly 60% of the rainforest is in Brazil, while the rest is shared among eight other countries—Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela and French Guiana, an overseas territory of France.”

Why is the Amazon Called the Lungs of the Earth?

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Source: WWF

Amazon Rainforest is very important in maintaining our planet's health. The rainforest has been known to recycle 50%-75% of the rain it receives each year and to pump up to 7 trillion tonnes of water into the air each year. That's why it is called the lungs of the Earth, a title given by scientists and environmentalists. 

The World Wildlife Organisation mentions: “There is also a clear link between the health of the Amazon and the health of the planet. The rainforests, which contain 90 billion to 140 billion metric tons of carbon, help stabilize the local and global climate. The Amazon also pumps about 7 trillion tons of water per year into the atmosphere, and its forests recycle 50%-75% of annual rainfall back into the atmosphere.”

The Amazon Rainforest isn't only the largest forest in the world. It is one of the most important places on the earth. Protecting it simply means that we are protecting ourselves, our climate and millions of species that share this Earth with us.


Nikhil Batra
Nikhil Batra

Content Writer

Nikhil is a dedicated content writer with more than five years of experience, and works for the Jagran Josh General Knowledge section. He likes to create engaging and easy-to-read general knowledge content. He has spent years working on brain teasers, optical illusions, trending stories, and informative listicles that simplify facts for readers. His approach focuses on clarity, creativity, and making information feel effortless to understand.

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First Published: May 11, 2026, 19:15 IST

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