Hyrcanian forests
The Hyrcanian forests (Persian: جنگل های هیرکانی; Azerbaijani: Hirxan meşələri) are a zone of lush lowland and montane forests covering about 55,000 square kilometres (21,000 sq mi) near the shores of the Caspian Sea in Iran and Azerbaijan. The forest is named after the ancient region of Hyrcania. The World Wide Fund for Nature refers to the ecoregion as the Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests. Since 5 July 2019, the Hyrcanian Forests have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In September 2023, the heritage site expanded to incorporate portions of the forest located in Azerbaijan.
| Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests | |
|---|---|
Sisangan National Forest, Mazandaran Iran | |
Hyrcanian mixed forests (purple) | |
| Ecology | |
| Biome | Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests |
| Borders | |
| Bird species | 296 |
| Mammal species | 98 |
| Geography | |
| Area | 55,100 km2 (21,300 sq mi) |
| Countries |
|
| Conservation | |
| Habitat loss | 51% |
| Protected | 10.30% |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | Hyrcanian Forests |
| Criteria | Natural: (ix) |
| Designated | 2019 (43rd session) |
| Reference no. | 1584 |
| Region | Western Asia, Caucasus |
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