Natural parks of the world. Galapagos Marine Reserve. The best reserves and national parks in the world

The reserve is located in the northeastern part of the Russian Plain. All rivers of the reserve are left tributaries of the Volga, the largest of which are Kostroma and Unzha. Quite extensive areas of the reserve are occupied by swamps and wetlands, which is primarily due to the flat, leveled relief. There are small forest rivers in the reserve and no large lakes and rivers, which causes a significant density of animals whose life is directly connected with water bodies - this is, first of all, the otter, mink, beaver.

The territory of the Katunsky and Altaisky reserves is included in the list of the World Cultural and natural heritage UNESCO titled "Golden Mountains of Altai" (1998). Absolute heights Katunsky Reserve fluctuate from 1300 to 3280 m a.s.l. On the territory there are 135 lakes with an area of ​​151,664 hectares or more. In the highlands there are a large number of glaciers, with total area 283 sq. km.

Shulgan-Tash State Nature Reserve in Bashkortostan, which has federal status. Situated in the western foothills Southern Urals, in the mountain-forest belt, within the Burzyansky district. Total area - 225 sq. km. The rich landscape mosaic also determines the high diversity of the plant world. The relief is low-mountainous. Mixed broad-leaved and coniferous-broad-leaved forests occupy 92 percent of the territory.

The natural architectural and archaeological museum-reserve Divnogorye is located on the territory of Russia, in the Liskinsky district of the Voronezh region. The area of ​​the museum-reserve is more than 11 km². From a geological point of view, the reserve is a Cretaceous deposit on the surface of the earth. Max Height the plateau above sea level reaches 181 meters, relative - 103 meters (the mouth of the Quiet Pine River at the confluence with the Don, which flows at the foot of the plateau, is located at an altitude of 78 m above sea level). Due to a rather significant difference in height between the plateau and the floodplain of the Don and Tikhaya Sosna rivers, its microclimate differs significantly from the surrounding floodplain lowland.

The Kuznetsky Alatau State Reserve is located in the south of Central Siberia, at its highest point - on the western slope of the ridge, at the intersection of Mezhdurechensky, Tisulsky and Novokuznetsky districts of the Kemerovo region. The Kuznetsky Alatau ridge itself extends over almost a third of the Kemerovo region. This ridge is a relief consisting of medium and high mountains massifs dissected by rivers.

The Kedrovaya Pad nature reserve is located in the Khasansky district of Primorsky Krai, between west coast Amur Bay and the border with China, on the spurs of the East Manchurian mountain ranges Sukhorechensky and Gakkelevsky ridges, separating the basin of the Cedar River from the basins of the Barabashevka and Narva rivers flowing near the boundaries of the reserve.

The Lazovsky Reserve is located on the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin, between the rivers Kievka and Chernaya. By size and mode of moisture mainland territory of the Lazovsky Reserve, located northwest of the Zapovedny Ridge. Almost the entire territory of the reserve is divided between two independent drainage basins of the Kievka and Chernaya rivers, which flow into the Sea of ​​Japan. Rest numerous rivers and streams of different size, direction and nature are either tributaries of these rivers, or independently collect water from a narrow coastal strip, the average width of which is about 10 km, and flow directly into the Sea of ​​Japan.

What to photograph: rivers, mountains, relic yew grove. Some of the lakes have unique vegetation and other natural features.

The main part of the territory of the reserve is represented by taiga forests of various types. Fragments of ancient relic steppes have been preserved on the coast of Lake Baikal; 50 species of mammals and about 240 species of birds live. The reserve is also famous for the high number of bears. In addition, here you can meet such rare and interesting birds as the white-tailed eagle, black stork, hook-nosed scoter, ruddy shelduck, gray crane.

What to photograph: the source of the Lena River, Cape Ryty, sacred to local residents a section of the coast with a grandiose gorge, the remains of the most ancient volcanoes on Earth - the mountain peaks of the Baikal Range in the region of the Sredny and Upper Kedrovy capes. 50 species of mammals, about 240 species of birds. Known for its high population of otters and brown bears.

The national park is located in Greater Sochi: from borders with Tuapse district, between the mouths of the Shepsi and Magri rivers in the northwest to the borders with Abkhazia in the southeast and from the Black Sea coast to the watershed line of the Main Caucasian Range. Most of the territory of the park is occupied by mountains, dissected by river valleys. The foothill zone occupies a narrow strip along the Black Sea. About 40 rivers and streams of the Black Sea basin flow through the park.

What to photograph: diverse landscape, unforgettable views and many exotic animals. A feature is the abundance of rivers and streams that create a huge number of canyons and waterfalls.

The Altai Reserve is located in the mountains of Southern Siberia. This is the land of mountains and swift mountain rivers, the kingdom of giant trees and the country of ancient wild animals. A walk through the mountain-taiga landscapes of the reserve fascinates with its unpredictability. Vertical belts, steppe, forest, subalpine and alpine, replacing each other when climbing the mountains, hide their secrets. Even the forests in the reserve are different. In the north, almost only fir trees grow, to the south - cedars, in the south - deciduous species.

What to photograph: vertices Altai mountains, Teletskoye lake, alpine meadows. Lynxes, bears, wolverines and 323 species of birds also live on the territory.

UK national parks

Brecon Beacons National Park

The Brecon Beacons is located on a mountain range in South Wales, occupies national park about 1345 sq. km., in the park is the highest mountain in southern Britain. Brecon Beacons is translated as "Brecon Beacons", the name comes from ancient times, when people signaled to each other about the approach of enemies with the help of fires lit on the tops of the mountains.

What to photograph: The mountains of the park and the moorlands look very breathtaking. In the mountains you will find many waterfalls. The park also houses many ancient monuments and castles.

Norfolk Broads

Broads National Park covers the county of Norfolk and Suffolk. This is a vast, protected wetland area in the UK that is home to some rare plants and animals in the UK. This is the third largest park in the UK, which occupies vast expanses of water. The park includes seven main rivers and 63 remains of medieval peat excavations.

What to photograph: The flat terrain makes the Norfolk Broads a very windy place, and the countryside is dotted with windmills that sit picturesquely at the water's edge. The park has small yachts and boats that will take you around the most beautiful areas for a small fee, where you will certainly be inspired by the richness of the wetlands and the variety of birds.

The beautiful expanses of the Dartmoor swamps in Devon occupy huge area Great Britain. Dartmoor contains the highest concentration of artifacts bronze age Great Britain, there are many ancient stones and other monuments.

What to photograph: beautiful scenery, rocks, granite stones, all this makes the National Park incredibly picturesque place. The famous rock of Dartmoor Park attracts the attention of photographers from all over the world.

The largest British national park, with an area of ​​4528 km2. There is a high and massive mountain range on the territory, four of the five highest mountains of Scotland are located within the park, there are 55 peaks over 900 m high. In general, Cairngorms occupies about six percent of Scotland.

What to photograph: The massive mountainous landscape is crossed by clear rivers with shining water. On the territory of the park is the lake Nestle. Vast forests occupy the lower slopes, and ice lies on the peaks most of the time. The park is home to many rare animals, with about 25 percent of endangered species living in the Cairngorms. Here you can meet red squirrel, deer, osprey, snowy owls, red partridge and eagles.

The Lake District, often compared to the sea, the park is located in a mountainous region in the county of Cumbria, in the north-west of England. The entire territory of England with a height of more than three thousand meters above sea level is located on the territory of the National Park, including Scafell, the highest mountain in England. There are also deep and long lakes England.

What to photograph: You can shoot landscapes and lakes, they are very breathtaking, especially in autumn.

This park in the west of Scotland is located in the district of Loch Lomond, which is the largest fresh water reservoir in the UK mainland. On the territory of the park there are 21 peaks, more than 1000 meters high and 19 peaks, more than 2500 meters high, as well as two forest parks - Queen Elizabeth and Argyle.

What to photograph: numerous small lakes, mountains, beautiful woodlands, small clearings animal world. Ben Lomond is one of the most photogenic mountain peaks. On the territory of the national park you can meet deer, squirrel, otter and osprey.

The oldest national park in the UK. It attracts about 10 million visitors a year, thanks in large part to its proximity to the major cities in northern England, making it one of the busiest national parks in the UK. The Peak District is conditionally divided into the northern Dark Peak, where most of the territory is occupied by swamps, and the South Peak, where most of The territory is occupied by limestone rocks.

What to photograph: The hills and cliffs of the park attract the attention of visitors and photographers, there are many valleys, streams, lakes and waterfalls. The Peak District has many interesting objects created during the industrial revolution, artificial fences, roads and the remains of mills will make the photos even more attractive.

US national parks

Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is one of the iconic places in the United States of America. Grand Canyon extends almost 450 km in length. It was formed as a result of the impact of the Colorado River over thousands of years. The National Park is famous for its picturesque desert landscapes.

Yellowstone, Wyoming

The first national park in the world, famous for its geysers, hot springs burst out of the ground, making a unique impression on the audience. The park is home to many wildlife including grizzly bears and moose.

Rocky Mountain, Montana

On the Canadian border is Rocky Mountain Park, which has about 130 lakes and is home to thousands of plant species and hundreds of animal species.

Everglades, Florida

Everglades Park is a network of wetlands and forests, the park is home to 36 protected animal species, including panthers and American crocodiles.

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its unique geological structures that cut the sky with narrow peaks. The structures were formed as a result of weathering and erosion by the flow of sedimentary rocks.

Death Valley, California-Nevada border

Death Valley is the hottest and dry place in North America. Here you will find a harsh desert landscape that, despite everything, attracts many species of animals.

Denali, Alaska

Denali is located around the highest mountain in North America. The landscape of Denali is a mixture of forest, tundra, glaciers and rocks.

This dramatic landscape includes two active volcanoes: Kilauea, one of the most active in the world, and Mauna Loa.

Yosemite, California

Yosemite is famous for its attractive El Capitan and Half Dome cliffs. There are beautiful steep waterfalls and ancient sequoias.

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

The underground park is a huge cave with an area of ​​1220 m, 191 m wide and 78 m high. Photographers here will be amazed by the beautiful limestone cave landscapes.

National parks of Europe

Saxon Switzerland, Germany

The park features extremely beautiful rocky landscapes and canyons. Ancient coniferous trees grow in Saxon Switzerland.

The Swiss National Park is the oldest park in the Alps and provides protection to many rare animals. Mountain goats, marmots and countless varieties of birds live here.

Teide, Tenerife, Spain

The Teide Volcanic Peak is the most visited national park in Spain. It is known for its surreal landscapes and amazing views of the surrounding Canary Islands.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

A series of 16 lakes of different colors amaze the imagination of visitors to the Croatian National Park. The shades of water in the lakes change from crystal green to deep blue.

Vatnajokull, Iceland

Europe's largest glacier is located in Vatnajökull National Park. The glacier occupies about 8% of the entire territory of the country.

Cevennes, France

Cévennes is located in the mountainous region of France. Here you will see picturesque mountain landscapes and gorges. There is a chain of cave systems in the park.

Olympus, Greece

Here is the famous Mount Olympus, the highest mountain and the legendary home of the Greek gods. The park has rich history, culture and ecological diversity.

Abruzzo, Italy

On the territory of the Abruzzo Park there are huge granite peaks and beech forests. Brown bear, wild lynx, wolves and royal eagles live in this mountainous wilderness.

Tatras, Slovakia

The oldest national park in Slovakia covers 741 square kilometer area. Pine and other coniferous trees grow here. There are many lakes in the park, and a wide variety of wild animals live here.

The Burren, Ireland

The Burren is the smallest of Ireland's six national parks. The area of ​​the park is only 15 square kilometers, but despite this there is something to see.

National parks of the world

Fiordland, New Zealand

The snow-capped mountain peaks of the national park will inspire any photographer. Most of the plots of the film The Lord of the Rings were filmed here. Dolphins, fur seals and penguins live in the park.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

This park is one of the best places to visit to see the full flavor of the African continent. Lions, African elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos live here.

Banff, Canada

This is Canada's oldest National Park and is impressive for the wealthy. mountain ranges, densely wooded regions, glaciers and ice fields. Banff is home to grizzly bears, moose and bighorn sheep.

Goreme, Türkiye

Turkey's National Park inspires photographers all over the world with its surreal landscapes, caves and oddly shaped hills.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The island's wildlife has evolved in isolation over millions of years, resulting in the park being home to unique animals and rare plant species.

Most of the park is occupied by mountains, one of which is the highest point on our planet - Mount Everest. The territory of the park strikes the imagination with rivers, glaciers and beautiful mountain landscapes.

Torres del Paine, Chile

The Torres del Paine National Park is home to the spectacular Andean peaks. Lakes, glaciers and mountain glades are presented to the attention of photographers. Here you can meet guanacos, cougars and rare birds.

Kakadu, Australia

Kakadu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The territory of the park is rich in spectacular waterfalls, rivers and swamps, and is home to many wild animals, including saltwater crocodiles.

Iguazu, Argentina / Iguazu, Brazil

We are talking about two Iguazu parks at once, one of which is located in Brazil, and the second in Argentina. calling card parks is a chain of beautiful waterfalls surrounded by jungle. The huge variety of birds living around the Iguazu Falls impresses the attention of visitors.

Serengeti, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is famous for the annual wildebeest, zebra and gazelle migration that passes through the park.

Fuji Hakone Izu, Japan

The most popular national park in Japan includes views of the dormant Mount Fuji, located in the center of the park. fuji Hakone Izu shrouded in clouds in spring and summer.

Zhangjiajie, China

Unique and inimitable mountain landscapes open to the eyes of visitors to Zhangjiajie Park in China. Within the park are tall pillars made of sandstone, resulting from many years of erosion caused by the expansion of ice.

The national park is named after a hunter who gave up his job and began to protect nature in order to save the Bengal tiger. It is the oldest national park in India and is home to Himalayan bears, leopards and elephants.

Canaima, Venezuela

National (natural) park— a protected area of ​​the territory (water area) with an 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 It is 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, different types 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, and birches are more common than others (mostly 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 is a great tourist destination. It receives up to 3 million visitors a year. All conditions are created for them, various excursions and routes are organized. But areas of 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 rather 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 an emergency landing here and told about what he saw in his homeland. 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. The appearance of the lizard is in many ways reminiscent of 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, we will 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 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 the western slopes of the 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.

The coniferous forests are dominated by mountain spruce, maritime pine, Douglas fir (up to 45 m high). 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 wildlife conservation 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 of extinct volcanoes up to 4500 m high rise in the park. Virunga is located just south of the equator, and humid equatorial and mountain forests and shrubs predominate in its landscapes. 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 of ​​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. Altitude zonation is well represented here with an abundance of various tropical forests. 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 a total area of ​​approx. 10 thousand hectares were declared a national park in 1934. The archipelago has about 15 volcanic islands, of which five are large, the highest points of 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 associated with a narrow coastal zone of 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, the import 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.

The diversity of wildlife is the key to our well-being.

The nature of our planet is amazingly rich and diverse. The world is full of amazing creations. Where man does not interfere, nature lives and forms according to the perfect laws established by the Creator. But with the advent of civilization, everything changes. Unfortunately, since time immemorial man has killed animals and cut down forests. Over time, people populated almost the entire planet. As a result of human activity, many plants and animals have lost their usual habitats or even disappeared from the face of the Earth.

Purpose of creating national parks.

The main purpose of the creation of national parks and reserves is the protection of living organisms, balancing on the verge of extinction. If there were no protected areas, elephants, rhinos, bison and bison would remain only in zoos, and some animals, such as Komodo dragons - giant monitor lizards that live only in Komodo National Park (on the island of the same name), would disappear altogether. However, despite the common name, national parks were created each for its own specific purpose.

Introduction

1. The purpose of creating national parks

2. Rationale for the choice of topic

3. Main idea of ​​the work

4 Main body

• National parks of the world
• Paanajärvi National Park
• Taganay National Park
• Zabaikalsky National Park
• Olympic National Park
• yellowstone national park
• Monteverde National Park

5. Information sources

Main part

A national park is an area where, for the purpose of protection environment human activities are limited.

Unlike nature reserves, where human activity is almost completely prohibited (hunting, tourism, etc. are prohibited), tourists are allowed into the territory of national parks, and economic activities are allowed on a limited scale.

There are over 1000 national parks in the world. There are 29 of them in Russia.

Paanajärvi National Park. Russia.

Paanajärvi National Park is located in the north-west of the Republic of Karelia, in its most elevated part. The Paanajärvi National Park was founded on May 20, 1992 by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation. The area of ​​the national park is 104,473 hectares.

Flora is the main attraction of the park. Its originality is determined by three factors - the low-mountain nature of the relief, the presence of carbonate rocks (dolomites) favorable for the growth of many calciphilous plants, and, finally, the presence of large natural massifs untouched by man.

217 species of vertebrates are registered in the area of ​​the national park: 36 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 3 species of amphibians and reptiles, 17 species of fish and 1 species of cyclostomes.

The pearl of the park is Lake Paanajärvi, characterized by its small size (1.5 by 24 km) and exceptional depth (128 m). There are many rapids on the rivers, there are significant waterfalls. Reservoirs abound with valuable species of fish.

The natural and historical value of the park is unique. Beautiful landscapes, rich flora and fauna, the opportunity to relax in pristine silence, rich fishing - all this attracts tourists, researchers, photographers, and many nature lovers to visit the park. Currently, about 2.5 thousand visitors a year visit the national park. It is planned to increase the number of tourists in the next three years to 6-8 thousand per year.

Taganay National Park(Russia)

Taganay National Park was organized in 1991. It is located in the western part of the Chelyabinsk region, on the territory of the Zlatoust and Kusinsky administrative districts. The length of the park from north to south is 52 km, from west to east an average of 10-15 km.

The Taganay National Park is located in one of the most unique corners of the Southern Urals - in the region of the Taganay mountain junction, just north of the ancient Ural city of Zlatoust. Many valuable ecological systems, such as mountain tundra and meadows, have been preserved almost untouched here.

About 800 species of higher vascular plants have been noted in the flora, of which 28 are rare and endangered. Roe deer, wild boar, elk, beaver, brown bear, lynx, wolf, marten, ermine, weasel, otter live.

On the territory of the national park there are ancient mineral mines, the wealth of which is presented in the collections of many mineralogical museums both in Russia and abroad. In a word, the Taganay National Park is a small mountainous country with its peaks and intermountain valleys, swift mountain rivers and swampy swamps, tundra and small taiga, the place is perhaps one of the most beautiful in the Southern Urals.

Zabaikalsky National Park (Russia)

The Zabaikalsky National Park was established in 1986 on the territory of the Republic of Buryatia in order to preserve the unique natural complex of the Baikal basin. The national park is located on the east coast of the lake. Baikal, in the central part of the Republic of Buryatia, on the territory of the Barguzinsky district. In the north, the territory of the Barguzinsky State Natural Biosphere Reserve adjoins the border of the national park.

The flora includes many endemic, rare and relict plants. According to preliminary estimates, the flora of the park is more than 700 species of vascular plants. There are habitats of many species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, 19 endemic species, 9 species rare in Baikal.

291 species of terrestrial vertebrates are registered on the territory of the national park: 44 species of mammals, 241 species of birds, 3 reptiles and 3 species of amphibians. The most common types of mammals of medium and large sizes: hare, squirrel, muskrat, sable, ermine, brown bear, red deer, elk. 49 species of terrestrial vertebrates found in the park are listed in the Red Books of the Russian Federation.

Olympic National Park. (USA)

Olympic National Park is located in the northwestern United States, in the state of Washington, famous for its amazing nature. The total area of ​​the park is 350,000 hectares. Here, in the Pacific fog, enveloping the coast and the forest, large trees are hiding, as well as a broken line. coastline. The climate of this area is one of the wettest on the planet. The park has mountains with snow-capped peaks and slowly sliding glaciers, as well as rainforests that are as mysterious and dark as the rainforests in the Amazon region.

In 1788, an English captain, in honor of the legendary home of the mythical gods of Ancient Greece, named the highest of these mountains (its height is almost 2,500 meters) Olympus. And in 1938, in order to preserve the inviolability of the virgin nature of these places, the Olympic National Park was created.

Virunga National Park (Africa)

Virunga is one of the oldest national parks in Africa. It is located in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For 300 kilometers, the border of the park coincides with the state borders of Rwanda and Uganda. The official birth year of Virunga Park is 1929. Then it was named Albert and Kivu National Park. In 1969, a separate Virunga National Park was separated from the Albert and Kivu single conservation area.

Currently, the territory of the park borders on the lands of the Ruwenzori National Park in Uganda and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. A few years ago, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda took the initiative to establish a transboundary biosphere reserve in border area, which was supposed to include the Virunga National Park.

The area of ​​the Virunga National Park is 790 thousand hectares. Landscapes in the national park are very diverse. Here you can find grassy and woody savannahs, undersized permanently wet forests, bamboo thickets, swamps, meadows and glaciers.

Yellowstone National Park (USA)

Yellowstone National Park - founded by the US Congress in 1872, it became the first national park in the country. The park occupies almost 900 thousand hectares and is located mainly on the lands of the state of Wyoming.

The main attractions of the park - geysers and Mammoth hot springs - make a huge number of tourists flock here from all over the world.

The geysers of Yellowstone are considered unsurpassed in their grandeur. The colossal power of geysers is hard to imagine - some of them throw out about 5 thousand tons of water at a time to a height of up to 100 meters. Each ejection lasts a few seconds, then the column of water falls and the geyser subsides until the next time.

Another attraction of the park is Mammoth Hot Springs. Over the centuries and millennia, hot waters saturated with various chemical impurities have formed deposits of complex and diverse shapes - streaks, stepped terraces, pyramids and even something like stalactites that suggest a cave located on the surface of the earth.

Most of the park is occupied by coniferous forests, in which many animals that are close to extinction in other areas have found refuge.

Here you can meet black, bison, elk and deer, as well as many smaller animals and a huge number of birds.

Monteverde National Park (Costa Rica)

In the 1960s, a group of scientists and local residents founded the Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde, which eventually included the watershed zone. Since then, the reserve has been expanded several times, and now it covers approximately 10,500 hectares.

This reserve is one of the most attractive places in Costa Rica. Every year, about 50,000 tourists climb the steep, winding dirt road to reach Monteverde. Numerous bird lovers and naturalists come here to observe all kinds of birds, animals and plants that have found refuge in the reserve and nearby areas.

Conclusion

In the 20th and 19th centuries, environmental pollution became a real problem for almost the entire planet. Waste can enter underground water supplies and cause serious harm to human and animal health. “We don't know what to do with all the chemicals produced by modern industry,” admitted a Hungarian scientist from the Budapest Institute of Hydrology. “We can't even keep track of them.”

Our goal is to preserve unique geothermal phenomena, grassy prairies, unique glaciers, breathtaking views, an abundance of life forms.

Information sources

1. www.nparks.ru
2. www.vokrugsveta.ru
3. Disks - Golden Globe "US National Parks
4. Dorysheva V. A. “National parks and reserves”
5. Zaikin S. N. “Wonders of the World”
6. Marchenkova A. V. “This wonderful world”
7. Shcherbakov V. I. “National parks of the world”

Few things compare to the magic and splendor of the African wilderness. Hardly any other national park in the world can match South Africa's Kruger Game Reserve in terms of its pristine countryside, wildlife and vastness of area.

The Kruger National Park has some of the best safari in the world. In one place you can see a wide range of the largest mammals on earth, a large number of birds, large predators and their prey. If you are a wildlife lover, then this is definitely the place for you.

Sagarmatha National Reserve, Nepal

High and majestic in the Himalayas, Nepal's Sagarmatha Reserve contains three of the ten highest mountains in the world, including Everest. Endless glaciers, breathtaking valleys with pristine snow make natural Park Sagarmatha is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, of course, for wildlife lovers not to visit this alpine reserve means to lose something important.

Fiordland Reserve, New Zealand

If you are a fan of magnificent fjords and boat trips, then this is the place to visit. The main attraction is Milford Sound, but in addition, the other 14 fjords with the most romantic scenery make this park a unique place, unlike any other nature reserve in the world.

Galapagos Islands National Park, Ecuador

Galapagos Islands with amazing landscapes, surrounded by clear blue water, is a paradise for exotic animals and wildlife. The unique atmosphere of the islands is of historical and scientific value. IN Lately eco-tourism initiatives are strongly supported here.

Tikal National Park, Guatemala

Traveling to Tikal National Park is first and foremost a means to explore the Mayan heritage. Nestled in the wild jungle, Tikal hides fantastic ruins of Mayan settlements that date back to around 250-900 AD. Even what remains from those times strikes the imagination of tourists with the amazing architecture of the temples and the variety of various wild animals. Tikal is a place for amazing adventures and unforgettable experiences.

Reserve "Yellow Dragon", China

The calcium sediment here creates the illusion of gold, which gave the name to this place - "Yellow Dragon". Also, this reserve is home to a cute, world-famous panda - the symbol of WWF.

The area features a unique closed ecosystem with waterfalls, hot springs, virgin forests and caps of snow on mountain tops, home to endangered species such as Sichuan gold monkeys and giant pandas. "Yellow Dragon" is a real mecca for photographers from all over the world.

Iguazu National Reserve, Argentina

The protected area, which is included in the World Heritage, is the most impressive place in Brazil and Argentina. Imaginative waterfalls over 70 meters high and 1500 meters wide are home to the best views fauna of South America. Views of the surrounding subtropical forests will not leave anyone indifferent.

Kakadu National Wildlife Refuge, Australia

The Kakadu National Wildlife Refuge is located on the territory Northern Australia. This quintessentially Australian landscape is one of the few World Heritage Sites, both for its natural and cultural significance.

The reserve extends over 3.2 million acres and includes several areas of traditional indigenous peoples of the continent. The wonderful South Alligator rivers, coastal beaches, rainforests and monsoon winds make national reserve Kakadu is a desirable place to visit.

Folk Reserve, Switzerland

Although Switzerland is best known for the magic of the Alps, it is home to the only national reserve that is nonetheless worth a visit. The Swiss National Park was created in 1914 and is inhabited by a huge variety of interesting animals such as chamois, ibex, golden eagle or bearded vulture. Rivers, peaks of snowy mountains and alpine valleys represent nature in its most picturesque manifestations.

Machu Picchu, Peru

The majestic Machu Picchu has been Peru's most popular tourist destination for many years. No matter how many times a tourist has been here to enjoy the majesty of the ancient monuments, traveling in the footsteps of the Incas always brings excitement, adventure and mystery.

There are so many beautiful places on Earth where you really want and need to visit at least once! National parks can be called the pinnacle of the joint creativity of God and man: nature has created - but people have not spoiled and continue to protect these incredible beauty corners of the planet.

Of the hundreds of the most beautiful natural reserves in the world, it is perhaps impossible to choose the most-most. But we tried, took a chance - and in 2013 Holiday M presents 13 the most picturesque National Parks of the planet!

13. Tikal National Park, Guatemala

Tikal- the strongest Mayan city in Guatemala and one of the most mystical and mysterious places on earth.

Name Tikal in the Mayan language means "a place where the voices of spirits are heard." Indeed, to this day in one of the largest settlements Mayan, the capital of the Mutul kingdom, to this day the voices of the inhabitants who left the city at the end of the 10th century are heard.

The park is hidden deep in the jungle from prying eyes. The fantastic ruins of a Mayan settlement, which date back to around 250 - 900 AD, are full of unique architecture: ritual sites, temples, palaces, castles and various wild animals. By the way, it was the ruins of Tikal Park that were used as a backdrop, as the base of the rebels in Hollywood Star Wars.

12. Zhangjiajie National Park and Huanglong Yellow Dragon Cave (Yellow Dragon Scenic Area), China

Zhangjiajie- the oldest of the national parks in China and, perhaps, the most remarkable. Opened in 1982, ten years later it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Yellow Dragon Conservation Area is located in the northwest of Sichuan in the highlands. Huanglong Scenic Area is an ecosystem with waterfalls, hot springs, mountain gorges, blue lakes, virgin forests and snow on the hilltops.

The protected area is famous for its high mountain ranges and unique caves. One of the most beautiful of them - Unique Huanglong Cave (Yellow Dragon Cave) in the Soshiiu Nature Reserve. A four-tiered cave 15 km long. included a lake, two rivers, 13 halls and about 96 galleries cluttered with stalactites and stalagmites of striking shapes and sizes. So one of them, with a diameter of 10 cm, reaches 19.2 m in height!

11. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Nothing can compare with the magnificence of the wild nature of Africa, and this is a vivid confirmation of this.

In 1884, Transvaal President Paul Kruger took the initiative to create a conservation area in the lowveld. And on May 31, 1926, on the basis of the Sabi and Shingwedzi hunting reserves, the Kruger Park was created, which became the first national park in South Africa. Hardly any other national park compares to Kruger Park for its pristine countryside, wildlife and vastness.

The Kruger National Park provides the best safari in the world. In one place you can see the largest mammals, a large number of birds and large predators.

The park is considered the most profitable national park in the world with about 1 million tourists visiting it every year.

As part of the Kruger to the Canyons Biosphere Reserve, formed in 2001, it is included in.

10. Lake Manyara National Park (Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

In the Great Rift Valley, in northern Tanzania, at an altitude of 950 m above sea level, around an unusually beautiful lakes Manyara, in the heart of the green forest, between the rocks is located National a park Manyara.

The park is located on northern Tanzania, an hour and a half drive west of Arusha.

Manyara Lake Reserve- picturesque gemstone in setting UNESCO: in 1981 the park was included in worldwide network biosphere reserves.

Despite the fact that Switzerland is known for its magical Alps, it has only one national park to offer tourists. But what!

It is located in the east of Switzerland, in the region of the Engadine valley, including the vast territory of the Alps.

The park is considered one of the oldest in Central Europe - it was created in 1914. In 1979 it was included in the list of biosphere reserves. UNESCO along with the adjacent Italian national park Stelvio.

The history of the park is interesting and instructive. By 1909, in the course of "industrialization", the resources of this forest and mineral rich territory were completely destroyed by man. Then, in 1914, it was decided to ban economic activity on this territory and trace the ability of nature to self-healing and no nature restoration activities were carried out in the park. However, now it is one of the most beautiful reserves in the world, which is visited by about 150 thousand people a year.

Mountain rivers, snowy peaks, picturesque valleys, rich flora and fauna beckon tourists to enjoy the beauties of alpine nature at its best...

8. Kakadu National Park, Australia

The uniqueness of this Australian natural wonder is given by the rocks and ledges surrounding it on all sides, protecting the park itself from the outside world and the outside world from it. In addition, since 1981, the park has also been under protection. UNESCO.

National Kakdu park is in Northern Territory Australia. He did not get his name in honor of everyone's favorite crested parrot. It is named after the Kakadu Aboriginal tribe that lives here to this day. In addition to an abundance of plants, insects, reptiles, birds, animals and fish, Kakadu National Park also contains two caves, the walls of which are decorated with ancient rock art dating back to about the 16th millennium BC.

snowdonia national park was established in 1951 and became one of the first three national parks of England and Wales. In just over 60 years, Snowdonia has earned a reputation as one of the most beautiful national parks in the world!

6. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park,Australia

Not far from Uluru is the rocky formation of Kata Tjuta (which means "many heads"). And together they are one of the most beautiful National Parks in the world, the symbol and heart of Australia.

In 1987 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was included in UNESCO World Heritage List. In 1995 he received Picasso's gold medal - the highest award of UNESCO,for the preservation of the nature and culture of the Anangu aborigines. Today, many of them work in the park as guides and tour guides for tourist groups.

5. Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, Peru

The secrets of the mystical Inca Empire excite the minds of historians, explorers and adventurers from all over the world. Machu-Picchu, especially after receiving the status UNESCO World Heritage became a center of mass tourism - per day this ancient city is visited by 2000 tourists!

Machu Picchu is sometimes called "the city in the sky" or "the city among the clouds", but more often - " lost city Inca". The majestic Machu Picchu is located in remote places of the mountainous regions of Peru: at an altitude of 2430 m above sea level, in the center rainforest. To support tourism, a railway was built from Cusco to the nearby city of Aguas Calientes. Through Ollantaytambo, along the most picturesque route, there are more than ten trains a day.

More about one of the New Wonders of the World - historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu, you can find out

(Everglades National Park), Florida, USA

"There are no majestic peaks rushing to the sky, no mighty glaciers or seething streams ... This place has a special serene beauty ... thanks to the richness of the local nature, we can see here the richness of the flora and fauna that distinguishes this corner of nature from all others in our country." - said President Harry Truman at the ceremony in honor of the opening of the park. And in 1979 the organizing committee UNESCO supported his words by adding Everglades to the list objects World heritage.

3. (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park), California, USA

Anza-Borrego is a huge nature reserve, the largest park in the state of California.

during the gold rush of 1849. tens of thousands of gold miners passed through the Anza-Borrego desert. Today, the flowering desert delights visitors with virgin nature, where you can get acquainted with the unique ecology, its steep gorges and barren, eroded, rugged terrain.

Every year, in March-April, thousands of tourists come here to look at the miraculous transformation of a lifeless desert into a blooming paradise.
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2. Iguazu National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Iguazú), South America

National a parkIguazu is located in the ecological region "Atlantic Forests of Parana" and invariably delights tourists with an incredible variety of flora and fauna. But the main task of the park, created in 1934, was and remains the preservation of one of the most beautiful places in South America - the waterfalls on the Iguazu River, surrounded by subtropical jungle.

Iguaçu in the Tupi Guarani language means big water. The park partially contains one of the natural monuments of South America and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world - Iguazu Falls.

waterfalls are on the border Argentine and Brazilian national parks « Iguazu". Both parks were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1986, respectively.

), Arizona, USA

The most grandiose, and, perhaps, one of the most interesting and unique corners of the Earth - US national parkGrand Canyon.

The park covers an area of ​​about 5 thousand square meters. km. was founded in 1908 to protect a unique natural formation - the gorge of the Colorado River, which is located in its middle course. The Grand Canyon is one of the most unusual places of our planet, which represents as many as 4 geological eras of the Earth!

In fact, the Grand Canyon is neither the largest nor the deepest in the world - it is valued primarily for its harmonious combination of size, depth and multi-colored layers of exposed rocks formed over millions of years of erosion and weathering.

Now it is one of the main tourist destinations in the United States - the grandiose scale of the canyon and its bizarre remnants of the most fantastic forms attract more than 2 million people annually to the Grand Canyon National Park. And of course it is one of the most amazing observation decks of the world !

Walks are especially popular among tourists. over the Grand Canyon by helicopter. During the fascinating three-hour excursion you will fly by helicopter above Grandee-Canyon, enjoying stunning landscapes and wonderful views.

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