How much of the world's land area is forested?

[seriously disabled]

Some parts of the world are heavily forested while many others are just barren deserts.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deserts_by_area

 

Finland is the most forested country in Europe with an amazing 73% forest cover, nexted by Sweden. Germany and Poland have more than 55% forest cover. In the United States, Oregon and Washington state are heavily forested, so is Idaho state.

 

Does anyone know how much of the entire land area of the Earth is covered by forested and how much it was in the past?

Edited December 31, 2011 by seriously disabled

[Microscope.com]

You note Wikipedia in your question so I'm going to refer you back for your answer > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest

 

But for those casually browsing, it says forests cover 9.4% of the Earth's surface, or if you account for only the land area, then 30% of dry land.

 

 

Additionally, this site has information on historic forest coverage > http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html

 

This Google search was particularly helpful when looking at the historic bit > http://bit.ly/rJiYzR