Afrotropical (AT)

Shanti Bants
Jun 18, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Aug 21, 2025

The Afrotropical (AT) realm is recognised as one of the eight distinct biogeographic realms that collectively contribute to the diversity of life on our planet. This realm is characterised by its unique ecological and climatic conditions, which support a wide variety of flora and fauna. Specifically, the Afrotropical (AT) realm encompasses a vast geographical area that includes the entirety of Africa situated south of the Sahara Desert, extending across the diverse landscapes of this continent. Additionally, it includes most regions of the Arabian Peninsula, the biodiverse island of Madagascar, as well as southern parts of Iran, extreme southwestern Pakistan, and the numerous islands scattered throughout the western Indian Ocean.

Afrotropical (AT) Realm Earth Map — By carol - Ecozones and Image:BlankMap-World6, compact.svg by User:Lokal_Profil, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3698068

The Afrotropics is divided into six significant sub-realm divisions, each of which showcases distinct ecological characteristics and biodiversity. These divisions are: the Southern Afrotropics, which is home to a variety of ecosystems ranging from savannas to forests; the Sub-Equatorial Afrotropics, characterised by its transitional climate and diverse habitats; the Equatorial Afrotropics, which hosts some of the most biodiverse rainforests on the planet; the Madagascar & East African Coast, known for its unique species that have evolved in isolation; the Sub-Saharan Afrotropics, which encompasses a range of environments from deserts to wetlands; and finally, the Horn of Africa, a region noted for its arid landscapes and unique adaptations of its flora and fauna. Each of these sub-realms contributes to the overall ecological richness of the Afrotropical (AT) realm, making it a crucial area for conservation efforts and research in biodiversity.

United Arab Emirates (AE)

Congo (Kinshasa) (CD)

Central African Republic (CF)

Congo (Brazzaville) (CG)

Côte d'Ivoire (CI)

Cameroon (CM)

Cabo Verde (CV)