Global Distribution of Tropical Evergreen Forests

Where Tropical Rainforests Thrive

Tropical evergreen forests (tropical rainforests) occur in a belt around the Equator (10°N–10°S) where climate is warm and humid year-round:

Major Regions

• Amazon Basin (South America): Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, etc. – largest contiguous block.
• Congo Basin (Africa): DRC, Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, CAR – second largest.
• Southeast Asia: Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo, Papua), Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, southern Thailand, Myanmar.
• Central America: Caribbean lowlands of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama.
• Madagascar: Eastern escarpment.
• New Guinea: Extensive highland & lowland forests.
• Small outliers: Western Ghats (India), Sri Lanka, Queensland (Australia), Pacific islands.

Climate Requirements

• Mean temp > 18°C every month.
• Annual rainfall > 1,700 mm (often 2,000–10,000 mm).
• No dry season (or < 2 dry months).

Biodiversity

Cover < 6% of land but hold >50% of terrestrial species. High endemism. Critical carbon sinks.