11 Largest Ramsar Sites Worldwide 2025

A Scenic Ramsar/Wetland Site (Credit: Pixabay)

As flood barriers, water purification systems, carbon sinks, and habitats for innumerable species, wetlands are among the planet's most vital ecosystems. Wetlands recognized as Ramsar Sites, a global network dedicated to preserving some of the most important and varied ecosystems, are among the most impressive. The Ramsar Convention, an international agreement formed in 1971 that aims to guarantee the preservation and sustainable use of wetlands worldwide, provides protection for these wetlands.

The largest Ramsar Sites in the world remain notable in 2025, not just for their size but also for their richness and the part they play in the survival of innumerable species. In order to highlight the significance of protecting these vital habitats and the great range of ecological services they provide, this blog post article will examine 11 of the largest Ramsar Sites in the world. From the thick rainforests of Brazil to the desert wastes of Niger, these wetlands are more than just gorgeous landscapes, they are ecosystems that sustain life on a global scale.

1. Rio Negro 🇧🇷

   • Location: Brazil

   • Size: Over 120,000 Square Kilometres

     The Rio Negro Wetland, the world's largest Ramsar Site, is situated in the center of the Amazon basin where this extensive system of wetlands, flooded forests, and rivers is crucial in controlling the flow of the Amazon River with numerous fish species, caimans, and the pink river dolphin being among the amazing array of plants and animals that call this place home. A number of indigenous organizations who depend heavily on the health of this environment for their livelihoods are also supported by the Rio Negro.

2. Ngiri-Tumba-Maindombe 🇨🇩

   • Location: Democratic Republic of Congo

   • Size: Over 65,000 Square Kilometres

     One of the most significant carbon sinks on Earth, the Congo Basin, is home to the Ngiri-Tumba-Maindombe Wetland where some of Africa's most endangered animals, such as the bonobo, a near relative of the chimpanzee, find refuge in this vast marsh, which also plays a crucial role in controlling the local climate. A vital component of international attempts to slow down climate change is the wetland's peatlands, which also contribute to the storage of large amounts of carbon.

3. Queen Maud Gulf 🇨🇦

   • Location: Canada

   • Size: Over 62,000 Square Kilometres

     The Queen Maud Gulf Wetland is a large, isolated region that stretches throughout Canada's northern regions and for migratory birds, the area's intricate system of lakes, marshes, and tidal flats provides vital habitat with millions of birds stopping here during the spring and summer months in the Arctic on their trek to northern nesting grounds. The location is essential for the indigenous peoples who rely on the land and its resources for their subsistence, in addition to the birds.

4. Grands Affluents 🇨🇩

   • Location: Congo

   • Size: Over 59,000 Square Kilometres

     The Grands Affluents Wetland, one of the most ecologically varied Ramsar Sites, is located in central Africa where the Congo River and its several tributaries come together to form the wetland. Numerous uncommon species of monkeys, elephants, and aquatic animals can be found there and in addition to being an essential habitat for a variety of migratory birds, which provide food and shelter for species that move throughout the African continent, the marsh plays a crucial role in flood regulation.

5. Sudd 🇸🇸

   • Location: South Sudan

   • Size: 57,000 Square Kilometres

     One of the biggest freshwater wetlands in the world is the Sudd Wetland in South Sudan which is renowned for its distinctive and varied species and is composed of wetlands, floodplains, and shallow lakes. Numerous fish and bird species, notably the endangered shoebill stork, use the Sudd as a crucial breeding habitat. Additionally, it offers South Sudanese citizens vital ecological services that enable transportation, fishing, and agriculture.

6. Okavango Delta System 🇧🇼

   • Location: Botswana

   • Size: Over 55,000 Square Kilometres

     One of Africa's most famous wetlands and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Okavango Delta is a huge inland delta that is home to a remarkable array of animals. Along with lions, cheetahs, hippos, and hundreds of bird species, it is home to some of the greatest numbers of elephants on the planet. Seasonal flooding in the Okavango Delta sustains luxuriant flora and supplies essential resources for the local population of humans and animals.

7. Gueltas et Oasis de l'Aïr 🇳🇪

   • Location: Niger

   • Size: Over 49,000 Square Kilometres

     The Gueltas et Oasis de l’Aïr Ramsar Site is a collection of desert oasis and seasonal wetlands in Niger’s harsh environments where these wetlands sustain a very high level of life despite their arid surroundings. The Niger River's yearly flooding is essential to migratory birds' ability to restock their food supply, particularly the endangered northern bald ibis. Additionally, the location supports nearby villages that cultivate, fish, and raise cattle on the marshes.

8. Plaines d'inondation des Bahr Aouk et Salamat 🇹🇩

   • Location: Chad

   • Size: Over 49,000 Square Kilometres

     Part of the Chari River Basin, the Plaines d’inondation des Bahr Aouk et Salamat Wetland in Chad is an important natural area in the sense that this area is home to a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial species and is crucial for migrating birds, especially the white pelican. The Chari River's water flow is regulated in part by the wetlands, which is essential for the local economies and agriculture.

9. Bassin de la Lufira 🇨🇩

   • Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo

   • Size: Over 44,000 Square Kilometres

     The Bassin de la Lufira is a freshwater wetland in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo that serves as a home for a range of aquatic life. The vast floodplains of the marsh are essential for the local populations that depend on agriculture and fishing with the Lufira River itself serving as a vital water source for both people and wildlife, highlighting how crucial it is to protect this delicate ecosystem.

10. Delta Intérieur du Niger 🇲🇱

    • Location: Mali

    • Size: Over 41,000 Square Kilometres

      One of the most important wetlands in West Africa is the Delta Intérieur du Niger in Mali whereby in addition to playing a significant role in the region's water management, it is an essential breeding place for fish and migratory birds. For local farmers and herders, who depend on the seasonal floods to improve the soil for crops and supply pasture ground for cattle, the wetland is significantly crucial.

11. Amazon Estuary and its Mangroves 🇧🇷

    • Location: Brazil

    • Size: Over 38,000 Square Kilometres

      Brazil's Amazon Estuary, with its vast mangrove ecosystems, is an important Ramsar Site. Numerous fish, crustacean, and mangrove-dwelling bird species can be found in this wetland, which is rich in biodiversity in addition to the estuary being essential for maintaining a stable local climate, preventing erosion along the coast, and supporting people that depend on fishing and resource harvesting.

Summary: The Significance of These Wetlands

More than just striking geographical regions, the 11 major Ramsar Sites mentioned above here serve as vital habitats for various species, protect water quality, and act as climate change buffers. Preserving these wetland ecosystems is important for global sustainability as well as the environment not forgetting that these enormous wetlands support human populations with priceless resources, help conserve wildlife, and are essential for controlling the climate.

The preservation of these exceptional wetlands will necessitate international collaboration, efficient management techniques, and ongoing public awareness in 2025 and beyond. In order to ensure that these natural treasures continue to flourish and benefit not just the planet's ecosystems but also the people who depend on them, the Ramsar Convention's efforts are essential, thus, let us keep discovering, appreciating, and safeguarding these natural gems because healthy wetlands are the foundation of a better planet.

We can move closer to a more sustainable future and guarantee that these priceless ecosystems endure for many generations to come by appreciating and comprehending the value of these Ramsar Sites.