Sources: Total Land Area: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), FAOSTAT Statistics Database, Rome, 1998. Protection Data: The World Resources Institute (WRI), World Resources, A Guide to the Global Environment, 1998-99, Washington, D.C., 1998.

Definitions: All protected areas combine natural areas of at least 1,000 hectares across five World Conservation Union (IUCN) management categories. Category I: scientific reserves and strict nature reserves poss essing outstanding, representative ecosystems. Public access is generally limited, with only scientific research and educational use permitted. Category II: national parks and provincial parks are relatively large areas of national or internatio nal significance not materially altered by humans. Visitors may use them for recreation and study. Category III: Natural monuments and natural landmarks contain unique geological formations, special animals or plants, or unusual habitats. Pa rtially protected areas are areas that may be managed for specific uses, such as recreation or tourism, or areas that provide optimum conditions for certain species or communities of wildlife. Some extractive use within these areas is allowed. They encompass two management categories: Category IV: managed nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries are protected for specific purposes, such as conservation of a significant plant or animal species. Category V: protected landscapes and s eascapes may be entirely natural or may include cultural landscapes (e.g. scenically attractive agricultural areas). [an error occurred while processing this directive]