The state of Pará in northern Brazil has created the largest single conservation area on Earth, giving protected status to 15 million hectares of rainforest – an area larger than England.

The protected area is home to more than 1,100 species of wildlife including jaguars, anteaters and macaws.

State governor Simão Jatene yesterday signed decrees establishing the conservation area and also creating the Institute for Forest Development (Ideflor), which will be responsible for managing the forest.

Source: Embassy of Brazil in London