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Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves

Niger
Date of Inscription: 1991
Criteria: (vii)(ix)(x)
Core zone: 7736000 ha
Départment d’Agades, arrondissement d’Arlit
N18 00 E09 00
Ref: 573
Inscription Year on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1992

Brief Description

This is the largest protected area in Africa, covering some 7.7 million ha, though the area considered a protected sanctuary constitutes only one-sixth of the total area. It includes the volcanic rock mass of the Aïr, a small Sahelian pocket, isolated as regards its climate and flora and fauna, and situated in the Saharan desert of Ténéré. The reserves boast an outstanding variety of landscapes, plant species and wild animals.