Annapurna Conservation Area

Annapurna Conservation Area
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Annapurna range as seen from Pokhara
Location	Nepal
Coordinates	28°47′N 83°58′E / 28.78°N 83.97°E / 28.78; 83.97Coordinates: 28°47′N 83°58′E / 28.78°N 83.97°E / 28.78; 83.97
Area	7,629 km2 (2,946 sq mi)
Established	1992
Governing body	Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Forests

The Annapurna Conservation Area is Nepal's largest protected area covering 7,629 km² (2,946 sq mi) in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas across the Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, and Lamjung districts. The area ranges in altitude from 790 m (2,590 ft) to the peak of Annapurna I at 8,091 m (26,545 ft).

The Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1985 and gazetted in 1992. It is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation.

There are two distinct climatic regions within a span of 120 km (75 mi) and an altitude of 1,000 to 8,000 m (3,300 to 26,200 ft). Annual rainfall averages 3,000 mm (120 in) in the south, and less than 500 mm (20 in) in the north.