In the last decade, more than 495 million acres of land were sold or leased in transnational deals, according to a report published by a coalition of research centers and civil society groups.

The report reveals startling facts about the secretive world of land-buying in foreign countries, which involves governments, as well as private and public companies, according to the Guardian.

Because of a huge rising global demand for water, food and energy, both wealthy, food-importing countries and emerging economies are targeting cultivable land buy at rock bottom prices in poorer countries, the Land Matrix project reports.

For some context to the sizes listed — New York City's Central Park is around 341 hectares, or 843 acres.

