China is the world's largest consumer of iron ore. The annual import of iron ore has exceeded 900 million tons, and its imports exceed 60% of the global iron ore trade volume. The summarization and potential analysis of global iron ore type characteristics and important distribution zones are of important theoretical and practical significance. This paper sums up the endowment characteristics of global iron ore resources. The authors divide global iron deposits into five genetic types:BIF-related, sedimentary, volcanic, magmatic, and contact-hydrothermal (skarn) deposits, with the emphasis placed on the analysis of geological characteristics of BIF-related and volcanic iron ore deposits as well as genesis and prospecting indicators. According to the comprehensive factors such as tectonic units, stratigraphic sequence, ore-bearing structure characteristics, deposit types and metallogenic ages of iron ore deposits, a total of 33 iron ore distribution areas and 47 important distribution belts of iron ore deposits are delineated in the major geotectonic units of the world. In addition, the resource potential of each important distribution belt is discussed.