The best national parks in the world. Karst lakes in Croatia. Katun Biosphere Reserve

By the end of the 19th century, people began to understand that if they did not protect environment, but only to exploit it mercilessly, then in a fairly short time they will have time to destroy many species of the animal and plant world. Some of that hard work has already been done. In addition, our beautiful and diverse planet may forever lose its unique natural formations. For this reason, reserves appeared and National parks peace. Each state that has national parks strives to preserve their natural splendor and diversity. At the same time, in different countries ah shape national parks may differ, but all of them are devoted to the general idea of ​​preserving nature for future generations, who could be proud of their country. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are now 6,555 national parks in the world.

1. Greenland National Park

The largest in the world national park(972,000 sq. km) is also the northernmost. Its area exceeds the area of ​​163 countries of the world! It was founded in 1974. Other than the national park staff, there are no other residents here. About 10 thousand musk oxen also live here, which is 40% of all these animals left in the world. Other inhabitants of the park are reindeer, polar bears, walruses, arctic hare and stoats. Sparse vegetation is represented here by mosses and lichens, and only in some places you can see dwarf willows and birches.

2. Kruger (South Africa)

In the national park. Kruger represents typical South African wildlife. It is not only very popular among foreign travelers reserve, but also a profitable business that brings considerable income. Founded this oldest in South Africa national park, included in the heritage of UNESCO, back in 1898 in the north-east of the country. Its area is 19,000 sq. km, and from end to end the distance is 340 km. It consists of three parts located in the valleys of the Olifants and Sabi rivers. A curious kind of "unarmed" African safari is practiced in this reserve. In a huge national park, most of the animals are grouped in its central part. Among them: elephants, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, white rhinos, leopards, 17 species of antelopes and over 400 species of birds.

It is difficult to scare a Russian person with anything, especially bad roads. Even safe tracks take thousands of lives a year, let alone those a...

3. Serengeti (Tanzania)

The Serengeti National Park is one of the largest (15,000 sq. km) and most famous on the planet, it has an almost complete ecosystem. This oldest reserve in Africa appeared in 1929. Almost 500 species of birds and 3 million of the largest mammals live on its territory. Every year there are spectacular migrations of millions of herds of wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, these living rivers cover a distance of more than 3000 km. The migration of zebras and wildebeests is explained by the fact that a drought begins in the north of the park, burning grass, and in search of food, herbivorous ungulates rush to the cooler and more humid south. On the contrary, when the rainy season begins, the herds return to the north and west.
The Serengeti is also proud of its largest lion population in Africa. Among its inhabitants, mention should be made of elephants, hyenas, gazelles, rhinos and hippos. In the Maasai language, the name of the park means "endless plains" - and in fact, the vast savannah mainly extends here.

4. Yellowstone National Park (USA)

Located in the northwest of the United States, Yellowstone National Park is very famous in the world, especially in recent years. It includes the territories of several states at once: Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. The national park was founded here in 1872, because there are a huge number of geysers and thermal springs. large alpine lake Yellowstone is located in the crater of America's largest supervolcano. A very long time ago this volcano erupted, so the surrounding areas are covered with ancient lava.
Two-thirds of all geysers in the world are concentrated in Yellowstone - almost 3000, among them the largest in the world - "Steamboat". Very famous for its regular eruptions is the geyser "Old Faithful", which ejects boiling water to a height of 40 meters at intervals of 45-125 minutes. Only five geyser fields are known in the world, located in Yellowstone, Kamchatka, Chile, Iceland and New Zealand. Yellowstone is densely stuffed with a variety of thermal springs, of which there are about 10,000 (that is, half of those available in the world), are here mud volcanoes and sources of hydrogen sulfide.
Hundreds of species of mammals, reptiles, fish, birds and about 2,000 species of vegetation live in the national park.

On our planet there are such areas where a person experiences special sensations: a surge of energy, euphoria, a desire to improve or spiritually...

5. Snowdonia (UK)

This national park is located in North Wales. This is one of the first reserves in England and Wales, it was created 60 years ago. They named it after the high peak Wales - Mount Snowdon, which has a height of 1085 m. The territory of the Snowdonia National Park lies not only on public, but also on private lands. 26,000 people live within it, and the number of tourists visiting it per year reaches 6 million. For them, 2381 km of open hiking trails have been laid in the park, there are also 264 km of trails for horseback and hiking travelers and 74 km of other routes. So, those who wish can climb to the top of Snowdon by cable car or along the picturesque walking trail, which has a length of 13 km. There are also old railway lines in the park.

6. Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)

The term "Plitvice Lakes" was first mentioned in documents from 1777. In 1949, this place became a national park, and 30 years later UNESCO added it to its heritage list. On its territory there are 16 large karst lakes, 20 caves and 140 waterfalls. This place is unique in that new waterfalls appear here every year and in general the landscape is constantly changing. The water in the lakes here has an amazingly beautiful azure color, so the photographs here are unusually spectacular. Along the hiking trails 18 kilometers long along the banks of the lakes, wooden decks are arranged, from which it is convenient to observe the surrounding beauty and take pictures of it.
Several hiking trails are laid across the park, the journey along which can take both a couple of hours and 8 hours. There is a boat plying the lakes, and the mountains can be viewed from an electric train with special wagons adapted for a better view. But in local lakes it is forbidden to swim, bring dogs here, and have picnics with fires. The Plitvice Lakes are also famous for their unique coniferous and beech forests that have been growing here for many centuries and are able to recover.

Our planet has a variety of dangerous places which have recently attracted special category extreme tourists looking for a...

7. Fiordland (New Zealand)

This is the name of the largest national park in New Zealand, which occupies south island much of its southwestern highlands. Here are located deepest lakes countries and high enough and picturesque mountains, reaching 2746 m. ​​And now Fiordland remains a remote area. There are many beauties here: swift rivers with waterfalls, picturesque fjords, rich and peculiar animals and vegetable world. The local dense forests are home to beautiful birds such as cockatoo parrots. In the local waters of the Pacific Ocean, you can meet penguins or a bottlenose dolphin.
The famous British writer Rudyard Kipling glorified the local bay of Milford Sound, calling it "the eighth wonder of the world." Throughout its 18-kilometer length, the bay is framed high peaks mountains This place is one of the wettest on the planet - it rains here every two days out of three.

8. Kavango-Zambezi Transboundary Reserve

This reserve is unique in many ways. Spread over a vast territory of 444,000 sq. km, it captures the territories of five countries at once: Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. There are no borders on the territory of the reserve itself, so animals can move freely throughout its territory. This largest African reserve includes a number of parks of individual states, for example, the Okavango Delta and Chobe.
In addition to the rich wildlife, the territory of this reserve is home to world-famous attractions, such as the luxurious Victoria Falls. Appeared transboundary reserve recently - in 2011. The most important task of the five states that organized it was to provide opportunities for free migration for animals. But it also became very important and profitable. tourist attraction, because literally every day in one place or another of the endless reserve a new tourist group. First of all, travelers are attracted here by African elephants, which are home to almost half of all savannah elephants living in Africa. Over 600 species of flora, including unique ones, also grow on the lands of the reserve, and 300 species of birds can be seen in the sky above the luxurious landscapes.

You can look at the flowing water endlessly. And if the water falls from a great height, then even more so. Fortunately, nature spoils us with such chic ...

9. Papahanaumokuakea Marine Reserve (USA)

This reserve is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in the Hawaiian archipelago, including a group of its small islands and atolls. It has an area of ​​approximately 360,000 sq. km, making it the world's largest protected marine reserve. The Papahanaumokuakea Nature Reserve was founded recently - in 2006. There are exotic animals and plants on its islands, but not only these living objects living on land are valuable, but also luxurious coral reefs hidden under a layer of water, forming a unique system.
This name of the reserve did not appear immediately, but only a year after its formation - this is how they decided to mark the married couple of the patrons of nature - the local gods Wakea and Papahanaumoku. For the indigenous people of Hawaii, these places have been sacred since ancient times, according to their beliefs, the souls of their dead relatives went here.
Archaeologists have explored these islands and found that some of them were inhabited by humans in prehistoric times. For example, on the islands of Nihoa and Makumanamana, the remains of ancient settlements have been preserved, in which people who were engaged in agriculture lived. Within Papahanumokuakea was a tenth of the tropical shallow coral reefs belonging to the United States.

10. Limpopo Transfrontier Park

This park also occupies the territories of several African countries - South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Its area at the moment is about 37,000 square meters. km, 10 different zones are distinguished on it. To date, the final boundary of the reserve has not yet been established, especially since its expansion is to be almost three times. This transboundary park appeared only in 2000, and a year later the first animals appeared in it. Now elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and other African animals already live there.

National (natural) park— a protected area of ​​the territory (water area) with intact natural complex, often with unique objects(waterfalls, canyons, picturesque landscapes, etc.). Combines the protection of landscapes with the admission of visitors for recreation. Given that their purpose is mass tourism, natural parks have a significant area.

Currently, there are more than a thousand national parks in the world.

Greenlandic

The largest national park in the world - Greenlandic- located in the northeast of the island of Greenland. Its area is about 70 million hectares. This only park in Greenland is also the northernmost of all the national parks in the world. The park is home to 40% of the world population of musk musk oxen. Among the protected animals there are also polar bear, walrus, arctic fox, ermine, lemming, arctic hare, various types of seals, seals, narwhals, whales, etc. Reindeer disappeared from the park back in 1990. Wolves often visit the park.

yellowstone national park

The world's first national park was opened in 1872 in the USA. It was Yemouston National Park located on the Yellowstone Plateau. The area of ​​the park is 898.3 thousand hectares. This is one of the oldest parks in the world. First of all, it is famous for its hot springs. Geysers shoot out jets hot water and steam to a height of up to 90 m. Eruptions occur regularly at regular intervals. The water of geysers and hot springs, rich in calcium and silicon, forms bizarre sinter terraces rising to a considerable height.

1870 plant species grow in the park, of which eight species are conifers. 80% of all forest areas are occupied by lodgepole pine. Of the deciduous trees, aspens, willows, birches are more common than others ( for the most part in the undergrowth). Of the flowering plants of the park, sand-loving abronia, or Yellowstone sand verbena, should be noted. This plant is found in the wild only within the boundaries of the park. About 60 species of mammals are found in the park, including rare ones: wolf, lynx, grizzly bear, American bison, black bear (baribal), wapiti deer, elk, black-tailed deer, mountain goat, pronghorn, bighorn, cougar, etc.

Yellowstone National Park - beautiful place rest of tourists. It receives up to 3 million visitors a year. All conditions are created for them, various excursions and routes are organized. But plots untouched nature are still preserved. They have no roads and access is severely restricted. The park is considered a biosphere protected area. Thanks to the Yellowstone National Park, it was possible to preserve and restore the bison population.

Komodo

One of the most interesting national parks in the world Komodo National Park, which is located on several islands that are part of the Lesser Sunda Islands archipelago (Indonesia). The world's only population of the world's largest lizard, Komodo dragons (lizards), lives here. They are covered with strong scales and have a fairly long tail. Komodo dragons have five toes on their feet. According to some reports, it was these lizards that became the prototype of dragons, about which Chinese sailors made up legends.

The national park currently functions as a strict biosphere reserve. The habitat of the monitor lizard is also fully protected.

The world learned about the existence of this huge lizard in 1912, when one of the European pilots made a forced landing and told in his homeland about what he saw. The Indonesian monitor lizard really makes a frightening impression: length - about 3.5 m, weight - up to 150 kg, a huge mouth with many teeth. Appearance Lizards in many ways resemble extinct dinosaurs. Varan is a predator. It hunts wild deer and pigs, runs fast and swims well, is extremely voracious, easily eats 6 kg of meat at one time. The animal is undeniably unique, having no analogues in the world.

Serengeti

In the zone African savannah enjoys particular fame Serengeti national park in Tanzania. He owes this to the famous biologist, ecologist, writer, documentary filmmaker Bernhard Grzimek(1907-1986). B. Grzimek wrote about the Serengeti: “Tourists are attracted to Africa only by virgin nature with its wild animals. If the wild fauna disappears here, as happened almost everywhere, then there will be no reason for tourists to come here.” The Serengeti is characterized by huge herds of various ungulates. Wildebeest graze along with zebras, gazelles and giraffes in the vast savannah, and Cairo buffaloes are found in dense thickets. All these animals are characterized by mass movements (migrations) following the front of rains during the year. Predators also roam behind herds of ungulates. The number of ungulates currently within the park is estimated at hundreds of thousands of individuals, there are several thousand elephants, hundreds of lions, hippos, rhinos.

swiss national park

In Europe, the first national park was created in the canton of Graubünden. It bears the name Swiss national park. The park was founded on August 1, 1914 on an area of ​​172.4 km2. It includes the territory of the Alps at an altitude between 1400-3174 m above sea level on the border with Austria and Italy. The park is famous for its unique and diverse flora and fauna, as well as nature completely untouched by man. The predominant landscapes are mountain coniferous forests and alpine meadows. Roe deer and chamois live here, less often - alpine mountain goat and fox; there are also deer, marmots, ptarmigan, capercaillie and several species of birds of prey.

Corbett

Corbett- the oldest national park India, it was founded during the British colonial rule in 1935 and occupies about 52 thousand hectares in the valley of the Ramganta River, flowing from the southern slopes Himalayas. The hilly plain of the park (altitude from 400 to 900 m) is covered with forests. During the wet monsoon, vast reservoirs often form in the valley, overgrown with aquatic vegetation. This is the habitat of the giant gharial, or swamp crocodile. The crocodile family lives on Earth for about 150 million years. For many years, these reptiles were actively exterminated in order to obtain valuable skin. Now crocodiles are bred for industrial needs in special nurseries, and in nature they are almost universally protected.

The main object of protection in the national park - tiger. The number of tigers in India in the 1930s-1950s. sharply reduced due to uncontrolled shooting by both colonizers and local poachers. Back in the 1960s. The government of India launched a large-scale operation "Tiger", aimed at preserving and restoring the number of this animal. The main events were held just in Korbstt Park. Now the number of tigers is close to optimal.

The park is also home to several species of Asian deer, a sloth bear, and more than 400 species of birds. For a long time, the park was little visited by tourists due to the difficult transport accessibility.

In the late 1970s A modern highway has been laid from the capital of India, Delhi, and the park is visited by thousands of tourists from around the world.

Central Kalahari Reserve

In the desert zone, let's call the Central Kalahari Reserve in South Africa. It was founded in 1957. Its area is 5 million hectares. Unlike national parks, which can be visited by tourists, only scientists are allowed to stay in the reserves. In the Central Kalahari Reserve, local tribes of Bushmen live, who lead their traditional economy. The main object of protection in the reserve is a unique plant - velvichia.

Velvichia has a thick tree trunk 30 cm long and looks like a giant flower with huge petals, which are actually the leaves of this plant. In the hot desert, where water is life, velvichia absorbs moisture from the air with its huge leaves, collects dew, “drinks” fog.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park was created in USA in 1890, has an area of ​​​​more than 300 thousand hectares, located on western slopes mountains Sierra Nevada. Mountain peaks rise here by almost 4 thousand meters. mountain rivers many waterfalls. With an abundance of precipitation, ancient dark coniferous forests consist of many species of spruce, pine, and fir. More than 250 species of typical taiga mammals and birds are represented. But the main glory of the national park was brought by the preserved areas of the giant sequoia. Individual trees of this species, which are several thousand years old, reach a height of 150 m with a trunk diameter of 10 m. Sequoia wood is reddish in color, very light, but at the same time hard, durable, and slightly susceptible to decay. It is believed that in the Tertiary period, the sequoia was widespread throughout the Earth, but now, after many years of predatory extermination, areas of virgin forests are very rare and strictly protected. In botanical gardens, it is found almost all over the world.

Banff and Jasper

On South Canadian Rockies there are two large national parks banff And Jasper. Banff Park, with an area of ​​​​about 700 thousand hectares, was created in 1885. To the north of it begins Jasper Park (area of ​​\u200b\u200bmore than 1 million hectares), founded in 1907. The height of the Rocky Mountains within the parks reaches 3700 m. mountain taiga. Glaciers, snowfields, frequent waterfalls and hot springs (began to be used for bathing in the 19th century) are found in the strongly dissected Skatisty mountains.

IN coniferous forests mountain spruce, maritime pine, Douglas fir (up to 45 m high) predominate. Of the large animals of the mountain forests, deer, black bears, black-tailed deer, mountain sheep, and many birds are common.

One of the most unusual animals of the Rocky Mountains is the bighorn goat, found only here. This is an animal with a thick long white six, similar to a domestic goat. Lives in the alpine zone, rarely descending into the forests. Well adapted to life in the mountains, capable of jumping 6-7 m on barely noticeable mountain ledges. The animal is very rare, now work is underway to increase its number, in the future - domestication. Both national parks are biosphere reserves and successfully combine protection wildlife with tourism.

Virunga

Almost in the very center of Africa, right on the equator, is located Virunga National Park. It was established in 1915, covers an area of ​​more than 20 thousand hectares and is located in the northwest of a small African stateRwanda, on the southern slopes volcanic mountainsVirunga. Several cones rise in the park extinct volcanoes height up to 4500 m. Virunga is located just south of the equator, and its landscapes are dominated by humid equatorial and mountain forests and shrubs. The main object of protection is the mountain gorilla - the largest anthropoid ape.

Blue Mountains Park

Northwest of Sydney, on a mountain plateau, dissected deep gorges, one of the largest national parks in the southeastern Australia - Blue Mountains National Park("Blue Mountains") with an area of ​​200 thousand hectares. It was created in 1959. The Blue Mountains are part of the Great Dividing Range, greatest heights here they do not exceed 1200 m. In some places, tower-shaped columnar sandstone remnants have been preserved; waterfalls are not uncommon on small rivers. Along the river valleys there are dense forests of blue eucalyptus, acacia, mint, and tree ferns.

Platypuses, possums, giant gray kangaroos are preserved here, among the birds - Wong's dove, lyrebird, fantails, yellow flycatcher. It should be noted that the flora and fauna of Australia is not rich, but very peculiar: 9/10 of the flora and fauna of the mainland cannot be found in any other area. the globe. It is this peculiarity that causes big interest scientists and requires the most stringent protection measures. The Blue Mountains Park managed to do it. There are many places left inaccessible, completely untouched, where no tourist has ever set foot.

rancho grande

rancho grande- the first national park Venezuela- was established in 1937. It covers an area of ​​​​about 90 thousand hectares on the spurs of the Venezuelan Andes facing caribbean, absolute heights - up to 2500 m. The altitudinal zonality is well represented here with an abundance of various rainforest. High humidity (about 1700 mm of precipitation per year) determines the richness of the fauna, especially dwarf palms, orchids, ferns, lianas. The national park is famous for its rare birds: more than 30 species of hummingbirds (the weight of the largest individuals of these tiny birds does not exceed 5 g), parrots, guajaro (a rare bird of the nightjar family, usually nest in deep caves numerous colonies, active at night). The largest venomous snake on Earth is found here - a giant rattlesnake, reaching 3.5 m in length. Among mammals, peccaries, sloths, capuchin monkeys (so named for the black crest on their head), raccoons, jaguars are common.

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands located directly on the equator pacific ocean, west of South America and belong to the state Ecuador. All islands with total area near 10 thousand hectares were declared a national park in 1934. The archipelago has about 15 volcanic islands, of which five are large, highest points which rise to a height of 1700 m. Volcanic activity continues to this day. The islands are washed by a cold current, and the water and air temperature here is relatively low for the equator + 21 ... + 25 ° С. Vegetation is poor: mainly cacti and thorny shrubs. Nevertheless, the Galapagos are extremely interesting for science, it was here that he began to conduct his research. Charles Darwin in 1835

There are many amazing animals on the islands: penguins, which came here from Antarctica thanks to the cold current; flightless cormorants, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lion.

Galapagos tortoises - huge animals with a shell length of up to 1.5 m and a mass of 200 kg - were predatoryly exterminated by humans because of their tasty and nutritious meat. Now turtles are taken under protection, their number is increasing.

The marine iguana is the only species of lizard whose entire life is connected with a narrow coastal zone shallow water and a strip of coast. This large reptile, up to 1.5 m long, is an excellent swimmer, feeds on algae and more.

The Galapagos National Park has a strict regime: it is forbidden for tourists to visit the islands, any economic activity, importation of alien plants and animals. Since 1964, the International Biological Station has been operating here. Thus, the Galapagos Islands are more correctly considered a biosphere reserve.

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 here they find a large number of remains of prehistoric animals and primitive people. 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 pastures. 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 from a great height its territory resembles white canvases stretched along 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 volcano(while there are only four of them in the country). In the distant past, this territory was a 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.

Such parks can cover vast areas with impenetrable forests, islands, coastal waters, and even mountain ranges and volcanoes. Unlike nature reserves and reserves, the protection regime in natural parks the least strict. And these parks are a great opportunity for tourists to get acquainted with natural resources country or region. And here is a list of the most beautiful and impressive national parks in the world.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Japan

The park, located southwest of Tokyo, is one of Japan's most popular parks. Within the park is active volcano Fuji with its five lakes, the Izu Peninsula and the islands around it, as well as waterfalls, hot springs and ancient temples. Especially beautiful is the volcano of the most symmetrical shape, wrapped in clouds in spring and summer - its greatness is immortalized in the works of many poets and artists.

Grand Canyon National Park, USA

This is probably the most famous national park in the world, and, as a result, the most photographed. The Grand Canyon in Arizona achieved national park status in 1919, three years after the founding of the US National Park Service. About five million people visit this park every year to see with their own eyes the amazing beauty of the canyon, which the Colorado River has carved for millions of years. South edge the canyon is the most visited, the most numerous observation platforms are located here. On the northern edge of the canyon, located 300 meters higher, there is much less people, but it is good for its wild flowering meadows, spruce forests and aspen groves. The rest of the canyon is remote and difficult to access, although some areas can be reached via hiking trails and back roads.

Guilin National Park, China

Located in southeast China, the park is famous for its karst and limestone natural formations and beautiful hills with colorful names like "Elephant's Trunk" and "Dragon's Head". The nature of the park inspired many Chinese poets and artists, and some parts of the park were even depicted on local banknotes. To see all the beauty of Guilin, it is best to take a 50-kilometer cruise on the Lijiang River, from Guilin to Yangshuo.

Banff National Park, Canada

This is the oldest national park in Canada, created in 1885 in Canadian rocky mountains. Lonely Planet describes Banff Park as: "Mountains, high mountains, mountains everywhere. Fast rivers carry their waters between beautiful hills. Huge glaciers slide down from the peaks and practically touch the ground. Lakes with turquoise water shimmer in the sun - so saturated that it seems as if the water has been tinted.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The oldest and most popular national park in Tanzania is a facility world heritage. The Serengeti is world famous for its annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles, and buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, swamps, impalas, lions and leopards run between amazing acacias. And here, probably, the most enchanting sunsets in the world.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Considered by many to be the most spectacular national park in the world. South America. Located on the edge of the continent, the park is known for its granite peaks and emerald forests, shining blue glaciers and azure lakes. Many tourists come here for walks and hikes.

Swiss National Park, Switzerland

Founded in 1914, the Swiss National Park is the oldest national park in the Alps and central Europe, and the only national park in the country. It is famous for its unique alpine plants - in particular, edelweiss, which grows only high in the mountains. And in this park there are alpine animals - chamois, deer and marmots. Through the park, an 80-kilometer network of trails is laid, which turns these areas into a paradise for hikers.

Lake District National Park, England

The land that inspired artist William Turner and writer Beatrix Potter became a national park in 1951. The park is a valley with granite boulders and 16 amazing beautiful lakes resting in the lowlands. These places are chosen by cyclists and amateurs. aquatic species sports - windsurfing, kayaking and fishing.

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

Located on the South Island, the park is the largest national park in the country. It covers severe mountain ranges, 14 magnificent fjords and worldwide famous waterfalls. Two of the park's most famous attractions are Milford Sound Fjord, which Rudyard Kipling called "the eighth wonder of the world" and Doubtful Sound Fjord, which can only be reached by water. People come to the national park for bird watching, boating, kayaking, mountain biking and hiking.

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

The first national park in the world today is one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica. But, despite its size, it shows the world a chic nature - lush rainforests, beaches and rocky headlands. There are sloths, iguanas and squirrel monkeys in the jungle, colorful fish swim in the waters, bright butterflies flutter in the air - a real idyll!

Bali Barat is a national park in the northwest of the island of Bali, which received the status of a nature reserve in 1917. In 1941 it became an Indonesian national park.

On an area of ​​760 sq. km stretched tropical forests, jungles, dry savannahs, mangrove swamps, as well as acacia thickets and alpine forests. In the north of the park is the protruding Prapat Agung peninsula. It is surrounded by protected beaches and coral reefs, as well as a small offshore island Menjangan - popular destination for diving. There are several extinct volcanoes in the east. The highest of them are the mountains Patas (1,412 meters) and Merbuk (1,388 meters).

One hundred and sixty bird species have been recorded in the park, including the critically endangered Balinese starling. First of all, it was for him that the park was created. In 2001 there were only six individuals of this bird left in the world, and all of them were in this park.

The fauna is represented by deer, black monkeys, flying foxes, wild boars, macaques, squirrels, snakes, reef herons, black Indian cuckoos, etc.

90 percent of the territory is closed to the public, and only a few routes are accessible to tourists accompanied by official guides.

Most popular route, running along tropical jungle- Climbing Mount Gunung Klatakan. In addition to the amazing smell emanating from the many orchids, black monkeys, a hornbill and even flying foxes will decorate the path.

Equally popular are water routes that run along Gilimanuk Bay through the mangrove forests that line the coast. Here you can see a few graceful dark gray Pacific reef herons.