Animal distribution area (Europe, Asia north of the Himalayas, North Africa)
The Palearctic region is the largest biogeographical region. It covers an area of 52,000,000 km² (39% of the land area). It includes the European continent, northern Asia to the foothills of the Himalayas, northern Africa including the Sahara and the Canary Islands, and the north and center of the Arabian Peninsula. It can be divided into the Eurosiberian, Mediterranean, Central Asian, and East Palearctic subregions.
The north of the Palearctic region is covered by the snow (nival) zone, taiga, and tundra, while the central part of Asia is covered by vast steppes and deserts.
