Top 10 Largest Grasslands in the World

#1: Eurasian Steppe (2,800,000 sq mi)

Stretching from Hungary’s Puszta across Ukraine and Kazakhstan to Mongolia and China’s Inner Mongolian Plateau, the Eurasian Steppe spans an astonishing 2.8 million square miles—a grassland corridor as wide as the continent itself. Formed over the last 10,000 years as post‑glacial forests gave way to drought‑tolerant grasses, the steppe fostered the rise of horseback nomads whose mobility reshaped world history: the Scythians, Huns, Mongols, and Turks forged empires that linked East and West. Visitors today can still follow the silk trail of ancient trade routes, where Lapis Lazuli and spices once traversed these windswept plains under camel caravans. Ecologically, the steppe supports up to 300 plant species per acre, including feathergrass and wormwood, and iconic fauna like the Przewalski’s horse—once extinct in the wild and now the subject of successful reintroduction projects in Mongolia. Beneath the surface lie paleontological treasures: Okladnikov Cave yielded Neanderthal and Denisovan remains, illuminating human evolution on the steppe’s margins. Modern challenges include overgrazing and agricultural conversion, but conservation efforts such as Kazakhstan’s Altyn‑Emel National Park preserve 300 square miles of untouched grassland, complete with sand dunes that sing when the wind blows. The steppe’s deep fertile soils, up to six feet thick, store significant amounts of carbon, underscoring its role in climate mitigation.

#2: North American Great Plains (1,100,000 sq mi)

Extending from central Canada through the United States’ heartland to northern Mexico, the Great Plains cover approximately 1.1 million square miles of predominantly grass‑dominated ecosystems. Born from ancient inland seas that receded 66 million years ago, these plains reveal chalk bedrock at badlands like South Dakota’s White River, where fossilized mammal remains—including saber‑toothed cats—offer windows into Paleocene life. Indigenous tribes such as the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Blackfoot thrived here, following bison migrations that thundered across the horizon in clouds of dust. Early European explorers marveled at the “infinite prairie,” but by the late 19th century, homesteaders claimed over 270 million acres for wheat cultivation, transforming grasslands into a “breadbasket” that fed the world. Remarkably, the tallgrass prairie of Kansas and Oklahoma once reached heights of 10 feet, with stalks of big bluestem swaying like ocean waves; today, less than 4 percent remains intact, preserved in pockets like Nebraska’s Niobrara Valley Preserve. Prairie dogs, keystone species whose burrows support owls and black‑footed ferrets, create patchworks of habitat that ecologists study to understand grassland dynamics. Hidden natural springs in the Flint Hills sustain seasonally flooded meadows that burst into wildflower carpets in spring. Conservation programs such as the Prairie Corridor Initiative partner with ranchers to implement rotational grazing, mimicking bison patterns to restore soil health and biodiversity across thousands of acres.

#3: Australian Tropical Savanna (899,000 sq mi)

Encompassing roughly 899,000 square miles across northern Australia—from the Kimberley through Arnhem Land to Queensland’s Gulf Country—the Australian Tropical Savanna forms the planet’s largest continuous tropical grassland. Governed by a monsoonal climate, it experiences 40 inches of summer rains that fuel explosive grass growth before dry‑season fires sweep through, shaped for millennia by Aboriginal fire‑stick farming. Traditional owners used patch burning to encourage fresh grass for wallabies and kangaroos, practices now recognized in savanna management plans that enhance biodiversity and reduce wildfire risk. The region harbors over 10,000 plant species, including spinifex grasses and the iconic boab tree, whose swollen trunks store water through drought. Wildlife abounds: flocks of brolgas perform ritual dances in shallow wetlands, while saltwater crocodiles patrol riverbanks. The Cooper Creek system, immortalized in Burke and Wills’ ill-fated 1860–61 expedition, still flows episodically, creating ephemeral floodplains that teem with fish and waterbirds. Hidden gem Kakadu National Park, a World Heritage site of 7,500 square miles, conceals rock art galleries dating back 20,000 years, depicting now‑extinct megafauna such as giant marsupial “diprotodons.” Savanna soils, rich in organic matter, sequester carbon effectively, and new research suggests traditional burning can increase soil carbon by 15 percent. Efforts like the Savanna Fire and Biodiversity Project unite indigenous rangers and scientists to apply ancient knowledge in modern conservation, safeguarding this grassland for future generations.

#4: Kazakh Steppe (530,000 sq mi)

The Kazakh Steppe, covering about 530,000 square miles of central Asia, is the world’s second‑largest contiguous grassland after the Eurasian Steppe. Its flat terrain, punctuated by salt lakes and sand dunes, was once crisscrossed by Silk Road branches that carried traders and ideas. The city of Turkestan, founded in the 6th century, served as a spiritual hub, its mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Grass species such as fescue and feathergrass thrive in soils that endure temperature ranges from −40 °F in winter to over 100 °F in summer. Notably, the steppe is home to the saiga antelope, whose bulbous nose filters dust and warms cold air; its population fell from two million in the 1990s to fewer than 50,000 in 2010 due to disease and poaching, spurring protective measures like rangers using GPS collars to monitor herds. Archaeological mounds called kurgans mark ancient Scythian burial sites, their gold‑ornamented artifacts retrieved in 19th century excavations now displayed in museums across Europe. Soviet‑era collective farms altered pasture landscapes, but post‑1991 reforms have seen a resurgence of traditional nomadic grazing by Kazakh herders, preserving cultural heritage and grassland ecosystems. Recent satellite studies reveal that conservation zones such as the Irgiz-Turgay Reserve have stabilized soil erosion and restored native steppe grasses across thousands of acres, highlighting the interplay between culture and ecology.

#5: Brazilian Cerrado (460,000 sq mi)

The Brazilian Cerrado spans approximately 460,000 square miles across central Brazil, making it South America’s most extensive savanna and grassland mosaic. Often dubbed an “upside‑down forest” for its deep root systems that tap water tables, the Cerrado endures six months of dry season followed by torrential rains exceeding 60 inches annually. Its biodiversity rivals the Amazon: over 10,000 plant species and 200 mammal species, including the maned wolf—whose long legs navigate flooded grasslands—and the giant anteater that feeds on termite mounds. Indigenous peoples such as the Xerente practiced controlled burns to encourage larva‑rich soils for edible grub collection, techniques now integrated into fire‑management policies to protect farmland from wildfires. Hidden phenomena include grassy kettle holes—circular wetlands formed by ancient volcanic activity—that harbor endemic aquatic plants. Since the 1970s, agricultural expansion has converted over half the Cerrado into soy and cattle pasture, making it one of the most threatened ecosystems; however, payment‑for‑environmental‑services programs now incentivize landowners to conserve native grasslands, resulting in 20 million acres under legal protection. Historical expeditions by naturalist Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius in the 19th century first documented the region’s novelty, sparking botanical interest that led to the identification of numerous new genera. Current research highlights the Cerrado’s critical role in carbon cycling: its deep roots sequester approximately 12 metric tons of carbon per hectare, rivaling tropical forests in climate regulation despite its open canopy.

#6: Canadian Prairies (400,000 sq mi)

The Canadian Prairies comprise nearly 400,000 square miles across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, forming North America’s northernmost temperate grassland. These plains were once covered by glacial Lake Agassiz, whose retreat 8,000 years ago left behind fertile silty soils that fuel modern wheat and canola fields. Indigenous Cree and Blackfoot nations tended grassland ecosystems through bison herding and seasonal hunts, with oral histories recounting hunts so vast that dust clouds darkened the sky for days. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s opened the region to settlers, leading to the “Last Best West” campaigns that advertised free homesteads, transforming native prairies into patchworks of farmland. Surprisingly, untouched mixed‑grass prairie persists in places like the Grasslands National Park—a 1,400 square mile reserve where black‑tailed prairie dogs sculpt the land with their burrows and bison roams have been reintroduced to restore historical grazing patterns. In spring, the prairies burst into color as wildflowers like purple prairie clover and western red lilies bloom in meadows that stretch to the horizon. Beneath the surface, oil and gas reserves have fueled local economies since mid‑20th century exploration, but habitat fragmentation prompted conservation plans that integrate petroleum development with grassland restoration. Recent studies show that rewilded prairie segments can sequester similar carbon amounts to neighboring croplands, emphasizing the ecological value of grassland conservation in a region once deemed “empty” but now recognized as a vibrant, storied landscape.

#7: Pampas, Argentina (295,000 sq mi)

Argentina’s Pampas cover approximately 295,000 square miles of lowland plains from Buenos Aires to the Andes’ eastern foothills. These temperate grasslands—distinguished by fertile mollisol soils—enabled the rise of gaucho culture in the 18th century, with skilled horsemen herding cattle and sheep across endless horizons. The introduction of railroads in the late 19th century transformed Buenos Aires into a global beef-exporting hub, fueling European demand and spawning “asado” traditions still celebrated at family gatherings. Ecologically, the Pampas host over 1,200 plant species, from tall prairie grasses reaching six feet high to delicate wildflower carpets in spring. Endangered species like the Pampas deer and greater rhea persist in fragmented reserves such as La Brehña, where conservationists combat habitat loss from intensive agriculture. Hidden anomalies include saline lagoons—remnants of prehistoric inland seas—where flamingos gather by the thousands during breeding season, painting skies pink at dawn. Historic aerial surveys in the 1950s revealed dust storm corridors akin to North America’s “dust bowl,” prompting soil‑conservation measures still taught in agronomy schools. Modern precision agriculture balances crop yields with wildlife corridors, using no‑till practices to preserve soil structure. The Pampas’ carbon storage capacity—about 80 metric tons per hectare—underscores the importance of maintaining grassland cover amid global climate challenges.

#8: Mongolian‑Manchurian Grassland (285,000 sq mi)

Spanning roughly 285,000 square miles across eastern Mongolia and northeastern China, the Mongolian‑Manchurian grassland is a temperate steppe where fierce continental climates yield hot summers and frigid winters dropping below −30 °F. Nomadic herders of Kazakh, Mongol, and Daur peoples follow seasonal migrations, raising horses, sheep, and cashmere goats—a tradition dating back to Genghis Khan’s unification of tribes on these plains in the 13th century. Botanically, the steppe is dominated by feathergrass and licorice root, with biodiversity hotspots along riparian corridors that shelter reintroduced Przewalski’s horses and the critically endangered wild yak near the Gobi‑Altai Mountains. Hidden archaeological sites—like the Ordos Bronze Age ruins—reveal ancient metallurgy workshops, while petroglyphs in the Khubsugul region depict hunting scenes over 2,000 years old. Soviet collectivization in the mid‑20th century forced sedentarization of nomads, impacting grassland management and leading to desertification in overgrazed zones; since Mongolia’s democratic transition in 1990, community‑based grazing cooperatives have restored pasture health, increasing grass cover by 20 percent in ten years. Recent satellite monitoring shows permafrost thaw altering soil moisture and plant communities, prompting research partnerships between Chinese and Mongolian universities to model climate impacts. The grassland’s extensive root networks stabilize soils and sequester carbon—an estimated 15 metric tons per hectare—highlighting its role in mitigating regional dust storms.

#9: Patagonian Steppe (260,000 sq mi)

The Patagonian Steppe blankets around 260,000 square miles of southern Argentina and Chile, marking the world’s largest cold desert‑steppe transition zone. Characterized by alkaline soils and hardy tussock grasses, this landscape endures strong westerly winds that sculpt “tepals”—stone cairns marking indigenous Tehuelche hunting grounds. In 1876, explorer Francisco Moreno mapped the steppe’s vastness, later contributing to the establishment of Argentina’s National Park system. Guanacos, wild ancestors of llamas, roam freely, while the Andean condor soars on thermals above basalt plateaus. Hidden in remote valleys are fossil beds preserving ground sloth bones and giant armadillo shells from the Pleistocene, attracting paleontologists worldwide. Sheep ranching boomed in the early 20th century, altering vegetation patterns; today, eco‑tourism lodges invite guests to experience gaucho horsemanship and stargaze under some of the darkest skies on Earth. Restoration projects, such as the Monte León National Park, removed sheep enclosures to allow native grasses to reclaim 50 square miles of degraded pasture. Though arid—with annual precipitation below 10 inches—the steppe’s soils are rich in organic carbon, revealing that even sparse grasslands play crucial roles in carbon cycling and biodiversity support.

#10: South African Highveld (108,000 sq mi)

South Africa’s Highveld grasslands span approximately 108,000 square miles across the central plateau, with elevations between 4,000 and 6,000 feet. These temperate grasslands consist of Themeda triandra (red grass) and Eragrostis curvula, turning golden each winter before regenerating with summer rains of up to 30 inches. Indigenous San and Khoikhoi peoples practiced grassland burning to drive game before European settlers introduced commercial farming in the 19th century, converting vast areas to maize and tobacco fields. The Highveld’s rich coal deposits underlie much of the grassland, fueling South Africa’s electricity generation but also contributing to habitat loss and air pollution challenges today. Despite this, pockets of endangered “veldt” persist in reserves like Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, where over 1,100 plant species and 200 bird species thrive. Hidden among rocky kopjes are aloe blooms that attract the dazzling Malachite sunbird, and ephemeral wetlands host breeding colonies of flamingos after heavy rains. Recent urban expansion around Johannesburg has fragmented grassland corridors, prompting metropolitan conservation initiatives such as the Johannesburg Biodiversity Strategy, linking green spaces across 150 square miles. Grassland soils in the Highveld sequester an estimated 25 metric tons of carbon per hectare—critical allies in South Africa’s climate response—and underscore the value of balancing development with ecological stewardship.

From the endless sweeps of the Eurasian Steppe to the vibrant savannas of Australia and Brazil, the world’s largest grasslands are living archives of natural history, human ingenuity, and ecological resilience. Each expanse tells stories of ancient nomads, pioneering explorers, and dedicated conservationists, while harboring species and processes vital to global climate regulation and biodiversity. As agriculture, urbanization, and climate change reshape these environments, renewed efforts to blend traditional land management with modern science offer hope that these grasslands—Earth’s hidden seas of green—will endure for generations to come.