This is the list of wetlands of international importance as defined by the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.
The Convention establishes that “wetlands should be selected for the List on account of their international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology.” Over the years, the Conference of the Contracting Parties has adopted more specific criteria interpreting the Convention text, as well as an Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands and a Classification system of wetland type1.
Site listing by country
This data have been taken from the Ramsar Sites Database. A complete list can be found at www.ramsar.org/sitelist.pdf
Australia
| Name |
Area (km²) |
| Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve |
583 |
| Barmah Forest, near Barmah, Victoria |
285.15 |
| Bool and Hacks Lagoons, South Australia |
25.3 |
| Bowling Green Bay National Park, North Queensland |
355 |
| Gippsland Lakes, Victoria |
600.15 |
| Macquarie Marshes, New South Wales |
187.26 |
| Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve, Tasmania |
47.6 |
| Pittwater-Orielton Lagoon, Tasmania |
31.75 |
| Swan Bay, on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria |
| Towra Point Nature Reserve, New South Wales |
3.86 |
| Western Port, Victoria |
592.97 |
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belgium
Benin
Botswana
Bolivia
Brazil
(as of February 2, 2007)
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Canada
Chad
Chile
China
| Name |
Area (km²) |
| Bitahai Wetland, Yunnan |
19 |
| Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve, Shanghai |
326 |
| Dafeng National Nature Reserve (Elaphurus davidianus), Jiangsu |
780 |
| Dalai Lake National Nature Reserve, Inner Mongolia |
7,400 |
| Dalian National Spotted Seal Nature Reserve (Phoca vitulina), Liaoning |
117 |
| Dashanbao, Yunnan 07/12/04 |
59 |
| Dongdongtinghu, Hunan 31/03/92 |
1,900 |
| Dongzhaigang, Hainan 31/03/92 |
54 |
| Eerduosi National Nature Reserve, Inner Mongolia 11/01/02 |
77 |
| Eling Lake, Qinghai 07/12/04 |
659 |
| Honghe National Nature Reserve, Heilongjiang 11/01/02 |
218 |
| Huidong Harbor Sea Turtle National Nature Reserve, Guangdong 11/01/02 |
4 |
| Lashihai Wetland, Yunnan 07/12/04 |
36 |
| Mai Po Marshes & Inner Deep Bay, New Territories, Hong Kong 04/09/95 |
15 |
| Maidika, Tibet Autonomous Region 07/12/04 |
435 |
| Mapangyong Cuo, Tibet Autonomous Region 07/12/04 |
738 |
| Nan Dongting Wetland & Waterfowl Reserve, Hunan 11/01/02 |
1,680 |
| Napahai Wetland, Yunnan 07/12/04 |
21 |
| Niaodao (“Bird Island”), Qinghai 31/03/92 |
536 |
| Poyanghu, Jiangxi 31/03/92 |
224 |
| San Jiang National Nature Reserve, Heilongjiang 11/01/02 |
1,644 |
| Shankou Mangrove Nature Reserve, Guangxi 11/01/02 |
40 |
| Shuangtai Estuary, Liaoning 07/12/04 |
1,280 |
| Xi Dongting Lake (Mupinghu) Nature Reserve, Hunan 11/01/02 |
350 |
| Xingkai Lake National Nature Reserve, Heilongjiang 11/01/02 |
2,225 |
| Xianghai, Jilin 31/03/92 |
1,055 |
| Yancheng National Nature Reserve, Jiangsu 11/01/02 |
4,530 |
| Zhaling Lake, Qinghai 07/12/04 |
649 |
| Zhalong, Heilongjiang 31/03/92 |
2,100 |
| Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve, Guangdong 11/01/02 |
203 |
Comoros
Côte d'Ivoire
| Name |
Area (km²) |
| Complexe Sassandra-Dagbego |
105.51 |
| Fresco |
155.07 |
| Grand-Bassam |
402.10 |
| Îles Ehotilé-Essouman |
272.74 |
| N’Ganda N’Ganda |
144.02 |
| Parc national d’Azagny |
194 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Ecuador
Estonia
Equatorial Guinea
Finland
France
| Name |
Area (km²) |
| Baie de Somme |
170 |
| Baie du Mont Saint-Michel |
620 |
| Basse-Mana |
590 |
| Basses Vallées Angenvines |
65 |
| Bassin du Drugeon |
59 |
| Camargue |
850 |
| Etang de Biguglia |
20 |
| Etangs de la Champagne humide |
1,350 |
| Etangs de la Petite Woëvre |
53 |
| Etangs du Lindre, Forêt du Romersberg et zones voisines |
53 |
| Golfe du Morbihan |
230 |
| Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin de la Guadeloupe |
200 |
| Grande Brière |
190 |
| La Brenne |
1,400 |
| La Petite Camargue |
370 |
| Lac de Grand-Lieu |
63 |
| Lac du Bourget - Marais de Chautagne |
55 |
| Marais De Kaw |
1,370 |
| Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin, Baie des Veys |
325 |
| Marais du Fier d'Ars |
45 |
| Marais salants de Guérande et du Més |
52 |
| Rives du Lac Léman |
33 |
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guinea
| Name |
Area (km²) |
| Ile Alcatraz |
0.01 |
| Ile Blanche |
0.1 |
| Iles Tristao |
850 |
| Konkouré |
900 |
| Niger-Mafou |
10,155 |
| Niger-Niandan-Milo |
10,464 |
| Niger-Source |
1,804 |
| Niger-Tinkisso |
4,006 |
| Rio Kapatchez |
200 |
| Rio Pongo |
300 |
| Sankarani-Fié |
10,152 |
| Tinkisso |
8,960 |
India
(as of February 2, 2007)
| Name |
Area (km²) |
| Ashtamudi Wetland, Kerala (19/08/02) |
614 |
| Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Orissa (19/08/02) |
650 |
| Bhoj Wetland, Madhya Pradesh (19/08/02) |
32 |
| Chandertal Wetland, Himachal Pradesh (08/11/05) |
.49 |
| Chilika Lake, Orissa (01/10/81) |
1165 |
| Deepor Beel, Assam (19/08/02) |
40 |
| East Calcutta Wetlands, West Bengal (19/08/02) |
125 |
| Harike Lake, Punjab (23/03/90) |
41 |
| Hokera Wetland, Jammu and Kashmir (08/11/05) |
13.75 |
| Kanjli, Punjab (22/01/02) |
1.83 |
| Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan (01/10/81) |
28.73 |
| Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh (19/08/02) |
901 |
| Loktak Lake, Manipur (23/03/90) |
266 |
| Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu (19/08/02) |
385 |
| Pong Dam Lake, Himachal Pradesh (19/08/02) |
156.62 |
| Renuka Wetland, Himachal Pradesh (08/11/05) |
.2 |
| Ropar, Punjab (22/01/02) |
13.65 |
| Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura (08/11/05) |
2.4 |
| Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan (23/03/90) |
240 |
| Sasthamkotta Lake, Kerala (19/08/02) |
3.73 |
| Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Jammu and Kashmir (08/11/05) |
3.5 |
| Tsomoriri, Jammu and Kashmir (19/08/02) |
120 |
| Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch), Uttar Pradesh (08/11/05) |
265.9 |
| Vembanad-Kol Wetland, Kerala (19/08/02) |
1512.5 |
| Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir (23/03/90) |
189 |
Iran
(as of November 8, 2005)
Isle of Man
(as of June 16, 2007)
Israel
Italy
| Name |
Area (km²) |
| Bacino dell'Angitola |
9 |
| Biviere di Gela |
2.6 |
| Isola Boscone |
2.0 |
| Lago dei Monaci |
0.9 |
| Lago di Barrea |
3.0 |
| Lago di Burano |
4.1 |
| Lago di Caprolace |
2.3 |
| Lago di Fogliano |
4.0 |
| Lago di Nazzano |
2.7 |
| Lago di Sabaudia |
15 |
| Lago di Tovel |
0.4 |
| Laguna di Marano: Foci dello Stella |
14 |
| Laguna di Orbetello |
9 |
| Laguna di Venezia: Valle Averto |
5 |
| Le Cesine |
6 |
| Ortazzo e Ortazzino |
4.4 |
| Palude Brabbia |
4.6 |
| Palude della Diaccia Botrona |
25 |
| Palude di Bolgheri |
5 |
| Palude di Colfiorito |
1.6 |
| Palude di Ostiglia |
1.2 |
| Piallassa della Baiona e Risega |
16 |
| Pian di Spagna - Lago di Mezzola |
17 |
| Punte Alberete |
4.8 |
| Sacca di Bellocchio |
2.2 |
| Saline di Cervia |
8 |
| Saline di Margherita di Savoia |
39 |
| Stagno di Cábras |
36 |
| Stagno di Cagliari (a.k.a. Santa Gilla) |
35 |
| Stagno di Corru S'Ittiri, Stagni di San Giovanni e Marceddì |
26 |
| Stagno di Mistras |
7 |
| Stagno di Molentargius |
14 |
| Stagno di Pauli Maiori |
2.9 |
| Stagno di Sale Porcus |
3.3 |
| Stagno di S'Ena Arrubia |
2.2 |
| Torbiere d'Iseo |
3.3 |
| Torre Guaceto |
9 |
| Valle Bertuzzi |
31 |
| Valle Campotto e Bassarone |
14 |
| Valle Cavanata |
2.4 |
| Valle di Gorino |
13 |
| Valle Santa |
2.6 |
| Valli del Mincio |
11 |
| Valli residue del comprensorio di Comacchio |
135 |
| Vendicari |
15 |
| Vincheto di Cellarda |
1.0 |
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Luxembourg
| Name |
Area (km²) |
| Haff Réimech |
3.1 |
Madagascar
Malaysia
Mali
Mexico
(as of February 2, 2007)
| Name |
Area (km²) |
| Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Cuatrociénegas, Coahuila (22/06/95) |
843.5 |
| Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna de Términos, Campeche (02/02/04) |
7050 |
| Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Yum Balam, Quintana Roo (02/02/04) |
1540.5 |
| Áreas de Protección de Flora y Fauna de Nahá y Metzabok, Chiapas (02/02/04) |
72.16 |
| Arrecife de Cozumel National Park, Quintana Roo (02/02/05) |
119.87 |
| Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park, Quintana Roo (02/02/04) |
90.66 |
| Arrecifes de Xcalak National Park, Quintana Roo (27/11/03) |
179.49 |
| Bahía de Loreto National Park, Baja California Sur (02/02/04) |
2065.81 |
| Bala’an K’aax, Quintana Roo (02/02/04) |
1316.1 |
| Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, Quintana Roo (02/02/04) |
1443.60 |
| Cañón del Sumidero National Park, Chiapas (02/02/04) |
217.89 |
| Cascadas de Texolo y su entorno, Veracruz (02/02/06) |
5 |
| Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, Jalisco (02/02/04) |
131.42 |
| Ciénegas de Lerma, Mexico (02/02/04) |
30.23 |
| Corredor Costero La Asamblea – San Francisquito, Baja California (27/11/05) |
443.04 |
| Cuencas y corales de la zona costera de Huatulco, Oaxaca (27/11/03) |
444 |
| Dzilam (reserva estatal), Yucatán (07/12/00) |
617.07 |
| Estero de Punta Banda, Baja California (02/02/06 |
23.93 |
| Humedal de Importancia Especialmente para la Conservación de Aves Acuáticas Reserve Ría Lagartos, Yucatán (04/07/86) |
603.48 |
| Humedales de la Laguna La Popotera, Veracruz (05/06/05) |
19.75 |
| Humedales del Delta del Río Colorado, Baja California, Sonora (20/03/96) |
2500 |
| Humedales del Lago de Pátzcuaro, Michoacán (02/02/05) |
7.07 |
| Isla Contoy National Park, Quintana Roo (27/11/03) |
51.26 |
| Isla Isabel National Park, Nayarit (27/11/03) |
.94 |
| Islas Marietas, Nayarit (02/02/04) |
13.57 |
| Isla San Pedro Mártir, Sonora (02/02/04) |
301.65 |
| Isla Rasa, Baja California (02/02/06) |
.66 |
| La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas (20/03/96) |
1448.68 |
| La Mancha y El Llano, Veracruz (02/02/04) |
14.14 |
| Laguna Costera El Caimán, Michoacán (02/02/05) |
11.25 |
| Laguna de Atotonilco, Jalisco (18/03/06) |
28.50 |
| Laguna de Chichankanab, Quintana Roo (02/02/04) |
19.99 |
| Laguna de Metztitlán, Hidalgo (02/02/04) |
29.37 |
| Laguna de Sayula, Jalisco (02/02/04) |
168 |
| Laguna de Tamiahua, Veracruz (27/11/05) |
880 |
| Laguna de Tecocomulco, Hidalgo (27/11/03) |
17.69 |
| Laguna de Yuriria, Guanajuato (02/02/04) |
150.2 |
| Laguna de Zacapu, Michoacán (05/06/05) |
.4 |
| Laguna de Zapotlán, Jalisco (05/06/05) |
14.96 |
| Laguna Madre, Tamaulipas (02/02/04) |
3078.94 |
| Laguna Ojo de Liebre, Baja California Sur (02/02/04) |
366 |
| Laguna Playa Colorada-Santa María La Reforma, Sinaloa (02/02/04) |
531.4 |
| Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California Sur (02/02/04) |
175 |
| Lagunas de Montebello National Park, Chiapas (27/11/03) |
60.22 |
| Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve, Campeche (02/02/04) |
2828.57 |
| Manglares y humedales de la Laguna de Sontecomapan, Veracruz (02/02/04) |
89.21 |
| Manglares y humedales de Tuxpan, Veracruz (02/02/06) |
68.70 |
| Marismas Nacionales, Sinaloa, Nayarit (22/06/95) |
2000 |
| Pantanos de Centla Biosphere Reserve, Tabasco (22/06/95) |
3027.06 |
| Playa Tortuguera Cahuitán, Oaxaca (02/02/04) |
.65 |
| Playa Tortuguera Chenkán, Campeche (02/02/04) |
1 |
| Playa Tortuguera El Verde Camacho, Sinaloa (02/02/04) |
64.54 |
| Playa Tortuguera Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas (27/11/03) |
.30 |
| Playa Tortuguera Tierra Colorada, Guerrero (27/11/03) |
.54 |
| Playa Tortuguera X’cacel-X’cacelito, Quintana Roo (02/02/04) |
3.62 |
| Playón Mexiquillo, Michoacán (02/02/04) |
.67 |
| Presa Jalpan, Querétaro (02/02/04) |
.68 |
| Revillagigedo Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, Mexican Island Territory (02/02/04) |
6366.85 |
| Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, Yucatán (02/02/04) |
814.82 |
| Reserva Estatal El Palmar, Yucatán (27/11/03) |
501.77 |
| Sian Ka’an, Quintana Roo (27/11/03) |
6521.93 |
| Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Park, Veracruz (02/02/04) |
522.38 |
| Sistema de Lagunas Interdunarias de la Ciudad de Veracruz, Veracruz (02/02/05) |
1.41 |
| Sistema Lacustre Ejidos de Xochimilco y San Gregorio Atlapulco, Distrito Federal (02/02/04) |
26.57 |
| Sistema Lagunar Alvarado, Veracruz (02/02/04) |
2670.1 |
Monaco
| Name |
Area (km²) |
| Réserve sous-marine du Larvotto et zone côtière du Portier |
0.1 |
Montenegro
Mozambique
New Zealand
|
