The best reserves and national parks in the world. Rangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve. UK national parks
The American television channel CNN has ranked the 30 most beautiful national parks in the world. The evaluation criteria were the beauty of nature and picturesque places, safety and hospitality local residents. The TV channel drew attention to the fact that US parks do not participate in the rating.
30 PHOTOS
1. First place in the ranking received national park Iguazu Falls in Argentina. Surrounded by tropical nature, the waterfalls on the Iguazu River are considered to be one of the most beautiful and spectacular places on Earth. (Photo: REUTERS/Jorge Adorno). 
2. The second place in the ranking was taken by Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. 30 percent of the park is covered with ice, which is why it is also called the Glacier Park in Patagonia. (Photo: 123 RF). 
3. Third place: another National Park of Argentina - Nahuel Huapi, which is located in the Andes at an altitude of 767 meters above sea level. (Photo: 123 RF). 
4. Fourth place: national reserve Gandoca Manzanilla in Costa Rica. 
5. Fifth place in the ranking: Tikal National Park in Guatemala. It includes one of the largest and most famous archaeological sites in the world - the most important center of the Mayan civilization of Tikal. (Photo: 123 RF). 
6. Ranked No. 6: National Park Rapa Nui, which is located on Easter Island (Chile) and is famous for its stone sculptures - moai. It is believed that this is the most geographically remote from other islands and lands inhabited island in the world. (Photo: 123 RF). 
7. Seventh place: Torres del Paine National Park located in the Chilean part of Patagonia. According to scientists, the park is 11 million years old. (Photo: 123 RF). 
8. Eighth place: Canaima National Park, located in the southeast of Venezuela. It is here that the highest waterfall in the world - Angel Falls - is located. (Photo: Flickr/Heather Thorkelson). 
9. Ninth place: National Park of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The famous Galapagos tortoises, which gave the name to the islands, are the longest-lived animals - they live for more than two hundred years. (Photo: 123 RF). 
10. Tenth place: Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. The park has vast wastelands where birds nest. (Photo: Flickr). 
11. Eleventh place: Göreme National Park in Turkey, which is also a museum under open sky- there are 350 Byzantine churches carved from the rocks. (Photo: 123 RF). 
12. Twelfth place: Tatzhansky or Tatrinsky National Park is the only high-mountain park in Poland created to protect unique mountain landscapes, flora and fauna. (Photo: Marek Podmokly/Agencja Gazeta). 
13. Thirteenth place: Croatian Plitvice Lakes National Park, which includes 16 beautiful karst lakes connected by waterfalls. (Photo: 123 RF). 
14. Fourteenth place: Victoria Falls National Park - located on the Zambezi River in Zambia. (Photo: 123 RF). 
15. Fifteenth Place: Kruger National Park - oldest park in South Africa, which is part of the Kruger to the Canyons Biosphere Reserve. (Photo: 123 RF). 
16. Sixteenth place: Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia. Its area is almost 50 thousand square kilometers, mostly desert, and is one of the largest protected areas in the world. (Photo: 123 RF). 
17. Seventeenth place: Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. Even in the dry season, there is a lot of moisture left here, which is very important for the ecosystem and animals. (Photo: Flickr / ninara). 
18. Eighteenth place: Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, on its territory there are many water cascades that waterfowl love. (Photo: 123 RF). 
19. Nineteenth place: Halgurd Sakran National Park in Iraq, which includes Mount Halgurd with a height of 3607 meters. (Facebook/press materials). 
20. Twentieth place: the deserted Ein Avdat National Park in Israel, which guards the beautiful territories of the canyon, inhabited during the time of the first Christians by monks and Nabataeans. (Photo: 123 RF). 
21. Twenty-first place: Zhangjiajie National Park in China. It was here that the famous film "Avatar" was filmed. (Photo: 123 RF). 
22. Twenty-second place: Najangsan National Park in South Korea - it is especially beautiful in autumn. The park is hidden in the mountains of Najangsan south of Seoul. (Photo: 123 RF). 
23. Twenty-third place: Pagsanhan Gorge National Park in the Philippines. It includes the largest waterfalls in the country. According to legend, before the appearance of the waterfalls, two twins lived in this place. One day, after a severe drought, one of them died, then the second twin climbed onto high cliffs and began to curse the gods, when suddenly a spring began to beat from under his feet, which laid the foundation for the waterfalls. (Photo: 123 RF). 
24. Twenty-fourth place: Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka, the main pride of which is a large population of elephants. (Photo: 123 RF). 
25. 25th place: Sundarbans National Park - tiger and biosphere reserve in India. (Photo: 123 RF). 
26. Twenty-sixth place: Bannerghatta National Park in India. Part of the park is a nature reserve, where more than a hundred species of birds, many mammals (including elephants, bears, leopards) and insects are under strict protection. There is also an animal rescue center here. (Photo: Flickr / Nisha D). 
27. Twenty-seventh place: Bandhavgarh National Park, the largest population of tigers in all of India lives here. (Photo: 123 RF). 
28. Twenty-eighth place: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia. The famous red-brown mountain Uluru (Ayers Rock) changes its color depending on the angle of the light. (Photo: 123 RF). 
29. Twenty-ninth place: Blue Mountains National Park in Australia. The name "Blue Mountains" comes from the blue eucalyptus trees growing on the slopes of the mountains. (Photo: 123 RF). 
30. Thirtieth place: Paparoa National Park in New Zealand, the main attraction of which are pancake limestone rocks, as well as beautiful caves. (Photo: 123 RF).
National parks help preserve the diversity of plant and animal species on our planet. The beauty that is created by human hands cannot be eternal. Only beautiful creatures of nature can die and be reborn again - they are eternal.
National parks of the world
Serengeti, Tanzania park
Some anthropologists claim that it is in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge that the cradle of the world is located. During archaeological sites a large number of remains of prehistoric animals and primitive people are found here. It is believed that the age of such finds exceeds two million years. The Serengeti is home to the largest population of large animals in Africa. There are more than three million heads here: rhinos, zebras, leopards, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, buffaloes, antelopes are found everywhere in these places. The local family of lions, numbering over three thousand individuals, is considered the largest in the world.
Of particular interest to tourists and scientists is the massive annual seasonal migration of animals. It happens twice a year.
During the dry months of the year, October and November, approximately one million antelopes and 220,000 zebras move from the northern part of the country to its southern regions in search of pasture. In April, when the rainy season begins in the south, huge herds, capable of astonishing people with their numbers, return to the north.
Lençais Maranhenses, Brazil
This unusual park located in the Brazilian state of Maranhao, on the Gulf of Sao Jose. Its name is translated from Portuguese not too poetically - "Maranhao's underwear". This is due to the fact that high altitude its territory resembles white canvases stretched on the ground. This place causes controversy among scientists, as it has its own peculiarity. During the drought period, it is practically a lifeless desert, but after the rainy season, lakes form between the dunes. Moreover, for some unknown reason, after a few days these lakes become inhabited, filled with all sorts of living creatures: small fish and crabs. Such a rapid settlement of water bodies by living organisms causes numerous disputes among scientists. There are two opinions on this. According to the first version, the eggs are brought here by birds arriving to drink, and according to another, life is preserved from the previous period, renewing with the appearance of water.
Yellowstone Park, USA
Yellowstone National Park is unique due to its age: it is considered the oldest park on the planet, since it was founded back in 1872 by President Grant. There is enough of any animal here: moose, grizzly bears, cougars and bison feel excellent in the local forests. But not in the wealth of the animal world main feature parka. Tourists come here to see unusual landscapes geyser valleys. It all looks amazingly beautiful, that's just the smell rotten eggs, exuded by the evaporation of hydrogen sulfide, somewhat spoils the picture. At the bottom of Yellowstone Lake, several geysers are actively functioning at once, so all the trees near the lake are dead, covered with a snow-white coating of hydrogen sulfide.
Swaziland Hlane Park
Hlane Park is a habitat for leopards and lions. Only one person has the right to hunt in this reserve - the king of Swaziland. But he is like a man nature loving, comes here only once a year with the aim of relaxing and admiring the beautiful animal kingdom, and not in order to exterminate innocent little animals.
Kronotsky Nature Reserve, Russia
The oldest nature reserve in Russia is known throughout the world as the territory where the largest population of brown bears lives. In addition, this is practically the only remaining place where beautiful wild reindeer are still found. But not even these wonderful creations of nature attract tourists from all over the world, but amazing Kamchatka landscapes. In a small area of the reserve, at the moment, there are more than a hundred geysers and hot springs, as well as eight active volcanoes.
Nature reserve France Port-Cros
Port-Cros National Park is located on the island of the same name, not far from the French Cote d'Azur. Tourist visits to the park are strictly limited, no more than 1,500 per day. What is interesting in this place? Picturesque bays with white sandy beaches.
Tongariro, New Zealand
On the territory of the Tongariro National Park, nature has created real lunar landscapes, since three active volcanoes are located here at once (while there are only four of them in the country). In the distant past, this area was sacred place for the Maori tribe. She is currently known as Mordor from The Lord of the Rings.
The Cairngorms National Park in Scotland
National status cairngorms park received only in 2003. The lakes of the reserve are considered the most clean reservoirs Britain. A huge population of swans that flock to the local lakes gives these places a special picturesqueness.
Nordwest-Svalbard National Park, Norway
Spitsbergen is the realm of the animal world and the northern expanses. Arctic foxes, walruses, reindeer and polar bears live here. A real Christmas story. On the territory of the reserve there are traces of numerous polar expeditions.
Wood Buffalo National Park Canada
The owners of Wood Buffalo Park are powerful bison, there are about sixteen thousand of them. Tourists often come here in the summer not only to admire the mighty animals, but also to do outdoor activities. Hiking, cycling and canoeing tours are organized here. In winter, lovers of skiing visit the reserve, who are often rewarded by nature with a special prize - the opportunity to observe the northern lights.
One of the most better ways to observe living beings in their natural habitat, without trying to manipulate them or control their activities, is the creation of national parks. I bring to your attention the ten largest and most beautiful national parks in the world.
Rangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Area: 53,321 km²
Rangell St. Elias National Park is located in southern Alaska. This is the largest national park in the USA. The park is an object world heritage UNESCO and included in the international biosphere reserve. Located in the park, Mount St. Elias is the second highest peak in Canada and the United States.
Air and Tenere National Reserve
Area: 77,360 km²
This protected area, located on the territory of the state of Niger, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The reserve can be conditionally divided into two halves. East End it is located in the Air mountains, and the western one enters the desert region in the south of the central part of the Sahara - in the sandy plain of Tenere.
Limpopo Transboundary Park
Area: 99,800 km²
This reserve covers areas in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe and consists of 10 national parks and reserves, including Banine National Park and Kruger National Park. African elephants, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and many other animals live on the lands of the park.
Galapagos Marine Reserve
Area: 133,000 km²
The Galapagos Nature Reserve is the largest marine reserve among developing countries. The area is home to a variety of marine life including sharks, whales, turtles and rays. It was here that Charles Darwin conducted his research, which served as the basis for the creation of his evolutionary theory of the origin of species.
Big barrier reef national park
Area: 345,400 km²
The Great Barrier Reef National Marine Park is located on northeast coast Australia, in the Coral Sea. It was created to protect against the destruction of the largest accumulation of corals in the world, located here, and to protect exotic marine species animals.
National maritime monument papahanumokuakea
Area: 360,000 km²
The reserve with the unpronounceable name Papahanaumokuakea is located on the territory Hawaiian archipelago and unites ten atolls and islets that make up its composition. The reserve is home to 7,000 different species, including the endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
Phoenix Islands Conservation Area
Area: 408,250 km²
The Phoenix Islands Conservation Area is the largest and deepest marine reserve in pacific ocean. It is located on the territory of the Republic of Kiribati, located on the islands of Micronesia and Polynesia. Rumor has it that the first female aviator, Amelia Earhart, crashed here on one of the islands during her round-the-world flight in 1937.
transboundary nature reserve Okawongo-Zambezi
Area: 444,000 km²
The protected area covers lands in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe on the African continent. This reserve includes several national parks, including Chobe National Park, Hwanga, the Okawongo Delta and Victoria Falls. The transboundary reserve was created to encourage tourism, as well as for the free migration of animals across borders.
Chagos Naval Reserve
Area: 545,000 km²
Chagos archipelago, British-owned, located 500 kilometers from the Maldives. It is the largest marine reserve in the world, its area exceeding the size of a country like France. One of the richest marine ecosystems is observed on the territory of the reserve. Here you can meet many amazing and rare animals.
Northeast Greenland National Park
Area: 972,000 km²
This reserve covers the entire northeastern part of Greenland and is the largest national park in the world. In terms of its area, it is more than 163 countries of the world (individually). Polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes, snowy owls, musk oxen and many other species have found shelter in it. Greenland National Park is also the northernmost national park in the world.
For the future generation, but also provide a recreational opportunity for nature lovers. National parks are created to preserve and protect their unsurpassed landscapes, including oceans, seas, lakes, forests, jungles and mountains, as well as the living organisms that live in these parts of nature. From the vast grasslands of Africa to the astounding glaciers in South America, National parks can offer something unique. This article presents the ten most beautiful national parks in the world, filled with the scenic beauty of pristine nature.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
In the center of the Croatian capital is the Plitvice Lakes National Park. The beauty of this park is created by sixteen lakes connected by a series of waterfalls, cascades and kilometer-long trails. The national park covers about 300 square kilometers, and the area of the lakes is about 2 km². This national park is home to wild bears, deer, wolves, wild boars and rare bird species. Tourists have the opportunity to enjoy the view of the lake from an 18-kilometer wooden footbridge surrounded by clouds. different types butterflies flying through the roaring waters.
Arches National Park, USA
Arches National Park contains the largest concentration of natural red sandstone in the world. The park spans over 300 km² and has over 2,000 arches (including the world-famous "Graceful Arch"), formed by natural erosion processes. Arches National Park has many amazing geological features, such as cliffs, massive sandstone formations and spiral peaks, which annually attract millions of tourists from all over the world. The arches are rich in gnarled juniper trees that bloom from April to July. Few animal species live in the sandstone, such as black-tailed deer, American rabbit, American fox, kangaroo jumper and black-tailed hare.
Kaziranga National Park, India
Kaziranga National Park is one of the most popular places holidays in India. Spread over an area of 430 km², Kaziranga is surrounded by tall elephant grass, swampy lagoons and dense. The park is home to 2200 endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros, which is about 2/3 of the total population of the species. A significant part of the park is the basin of the Brahmaputra River. Undoubtedly, the park is known for its rich wildlife, providing shelter and subsistence for Indian, wild Asian buffalo, Bengal tigers and barasinga deer. In addition to wild mammals, India's most revered birds can also be found here, including white-fronted geese, white-eyed pochards and.
Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Indonesia is home to the Komodo National Park, often ranked among the top 10 places on the planet to visit. The park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar. Komodo National Park is home to the world's largest lizard - the Komodo monitor lizard - usually growing up to 3 m in length and weighing more than 80 kg. The beauty of the park is: panoramic views of the savannah, tropical rainforest, clear blue ocean and crystal sandy beaches. Komodo has the richest and most amazing underwater marine biota which makes the park the best place on earth for diving. The waters surrounding the islands are rough and full of variety.
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile/Argentina
The outstanding Torres del Paine National Park is located on 2420 km² of land and is visited by over 150,000 tourists annually, making it the most visited national park in Chile. Here you can see blue icebergs from the Glaciar Gray Glacier and the South Patagonian Ice Plateau. The most distinct landscapes of Torres del Paine are three granite peaks rising to a height of up to 2500 m sea level. The granite peaks, together with the surrounding rivers, lakes and valleys, form a national park that is Chile's most majestic and stunning natural feature.
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Fiordland National Park is the largest in New Zealand and is characterized by its stunning natural features and exceptional landscape beauty. This is the only place with a view of the snowy Mountain peaks, sparkling fjords, snow-capped valleys, icy lakes and rivers located within rainforest. Fiordland is home to the rare takahe, thought to be extinct but later rediscovered in 1948 in Fiordland Park. It is also known to be the only refuge for the flightless kakapo parrot.
Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda
The Kidepo Valley is one of the most remote national parks in the world and covers an area of 1442 km². Only a small number of tourists visit this place. However, the impressive beauty of this untouched wildlife makes it one of the most unique places Africa. The national park has 475 different bird species, second only to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is home to the rarest African birds such as Apalis karamojae And Lybius rolleti. In addition to the amazing birds, it is home to the smallest ethnic group in Africa, the Ik tribe.
Jiuzhaigou National Park, China
National jiuzhaigou park considered amazing natural wonder China, located on an area of 720 km². Every year, more than 2 million tourists come to the park to admire the turquoise lakes, multi-level waterfalls, dense forests and snow-capped mountains. Jiuzhaigou National Park is located near the border of the Tibetan Plateau, in Sichuan Province. The park, which is a masterpiece of nature, is a habitat for more than 220 species of birds and endangered animals such as rhinopitecus roxellanius and others. No other national park has such fabulous scenery and natural purity as Jiuzhaigou.
Banff National Park, Canada
Banff covers 6,641 km² and is considered the most popular national park among tourists from all over the world. It is adjacent to the magnificent Canadian rocky mountains. Millions of visitors visit this attraction every year to admire the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, walk along nature trail through flower-filled meadows, and sail among the sharp peaks of ice fields. Snow-capped mountain peaks, shimmering glaciers and wide panoramas are part of the allure of the magnificent Banff National Park.
Galapagos National Park, Ecuador
The Galapagos National Park covers an area of almost 8 thousand km². It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The park consists of a spectacular archipelago of volcanic islands. The landscape includes the magnificent lush green vegetation of the Santa Cruz Highlands and the most beautiful landscapes of Bartolome Island. On Galapagos Islands there are some of the rarest animals in the world including the famous Galapagos tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and Galapagos penguins. The Galapagos is the only national park in the world where wild animals are not afraid of humans, and curious sea lions even enjoy swimming alongside humans.
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