National parks of the world. The most beautiful national parks in the world

There are few things that compare to the magic and splendor of the African wilderness. It is unlikely that any other national park in the world can compare with the Kruger Game Reserve in South Africa in terms of its pristine countryside, wildlife and vastness of area.

The Kruger National Park is capable of offering some of the best safaris 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 Wildlife Refuge, Nepal

Perched high and majestic in the Himalayas, Nepal's Sagarmatha Wildlife Sanctuary contains three of the world's ten tallest mountains, including Everest. Endless glaciers, breathtaking valleys with pristine snow make Sagarmatha Nature Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, of course, for wildlife lovers, not visiting this high-mountain reserve means losing something important.

Fiordland Game Reserve, New Zealand

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

Galapagos Islands National Park, Ecuador

With stunning scenery surrounded by clear blue waters, the Galapagos Islands are a paradise for exotic animals and wildlife. The unique atmosphere of the islands is of historical and scientific value. Recently, eco-tourism initiatives have been strongly supported here.

Tikal National Park, Guatemala

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

Yellow Dragon Nature Reserve, China

The calcium deposit here creates the illusion of gold, which gives the place its name - “Yellow Dragon”. This reserve is also home to the cute, world-famous panda - the symbol of WWF.

The area features a unique closed ecosystem of waterfalls, hot springs, virgin forests and snow caps on mountaintops, home to endangered species such as the Sichuan gold-bearing monkey and the giant panda. “Yellow Dragon” is a real mecca for photographers from all over the world.

Iguazu National Reserve, Argentina

The protected area, which is a World Heritage Site, is the most impressive site in Brazil and Argentina. The breathtaking waterfalls, over 70 meters high and 1,500 meters wide, are home to some of South America's best fauna. The views of the surrounding subtropical forests will not leave anyone indifferent.

Kakadu National Reserve, Australia

Kakadu National Reserve is located in Northern Australia. This quintessentially Australian landscape is one of the few places listed as a World Heritage Site for both its natural and cultural significance.

The reserve spans more than 3.2 million acres and includes several of the continent's traditional indigenous territories. The wonderful South Alligator Rivers, coastal beaches, rainforests and monsoon winds make Kakadu National Wildlife Refuge a desirable destination.

People's Nature Reserve, Switzerland

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

Machu Picchu, Peru

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

The first park appeared on earth before our era. But even today there are philanthropists alive who do not allow beauty to disappear from the face of the earth. The more people encroached on the values ​​of nature, the more actively the parks grew. They appeared in Europe already in the 10th century, then in the States, and later in Africa.

Countries with nature reserves and national parks make up the majority of all states. A national park or reserve is a part of pristine nature that has not been touched by civilization. In the States, parks are created exclusively for recreation, in Russia - for nature conservation, in Asia - a combination of the first and second.

Man is a curious creature. Avoid beauty? No, he's on his way.

Features of ecotourism

Traveling through parks and reserves is very different from other types of tourism. It has a name - ecotourism. The name is conditional. It is also called “soft”, “green”, “natural”, the essence does not change. Some refer to it as “adventure travel” and, perhaps, come closest to the truth.

Millions travel every day! Few people venture into ecotourism. Sometimes such travelers are called “crazy”. But isn't this praise? A person is alive as long as he is capable of doing crazy things.

The main feature of ecotourism is to give up comfort. The postulate is not to harm nature.

Important Factors

What does nature give people? I would like to say - everything. She makes him understand the meaning of existence, i.e. an opportunity to look inside yourself. The further a person moves, the more thirst grows in him, the wider his needs become: to look into every corner, to get to the essence. Few people decide to take such a journey alone, i.e. another opportunity arises - to better get to know the one who is next to you: friend or enemy.

Ecotourism is also our feasible contribution to their preservation.

Countries and continents

  • Voroninsky Nature Reserve, Russia.
  • Reserve "Kuznetsky Alatau", Russia.
  • Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Belarus.
  • Levens Hall, England.
  • Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany.
  • Oulanka Park. Finland.
  • Swiss ancient park.
  • Rangel St. Elias, a park in the USA.
  • Greenland National Park, the largest in the world.
  • Limpopo Park, Africa.
  • Kruger Nature Reserve, Africa.
  • The oldest African reserve, the Serengeti,
  • Snowdonia, North Wales.
  • Taman Negara, a park in Malaysia.
  • Alnwick, poison garden, England.

Will you dare to take such a trip?

Can a child go on such a journey? Quite if there is a reliable person nearby. Even a pensioner can do this, the main thing is to choose the right route. If you are “thirsty”, tired of everyday life, go for it. You will not just relax, you will learn a lot of interesting things, you will look at the world with different eyes! And for myself too.

If you're going on a green trip, do the following:

  • Leave all care in your native land,
  • Imagine yourself as Robinson Crusoe
  • Think about how you will manage without your usual things,
  • Take what you can't do without,
  • When traveling, eat the foods that are offered to you,
  • Be patient, accept other concepts, other language, other rules, remember - you are a guest,
  • Be sure to keep a diary!

Principles

Why are nature reserves and national parks important? The opportunity to preserve its originality.

When setting out on a journey, do not look back at others; only you are responsible for your life. No person can “nourish” the soul the way the nature you touch will do.

Reserves and national parks of the world updated: March 3, 2019 by: GlonassTravel

The nature of planet Earth is amazingly diverse and rich. However, throughout the existence of civilization, man has interfered with the natural formation and laws of wild nature. Back in the 19th century, people realized that it was necessary to take measures to preserve many natural formations, as well as certain types of flora and fauna. Thus, today we have the opportunity to admire the perfect creations of nature, as well as see rare species of endangered animals or plants, and all this in natural conditions, where humans do not interfere. So, we present to your attention ten of the most picturesque national natural parks in the world.

1. Yellowstone National Park

The first national park in history was opened in the United States at the end of the 19th century. This is the famous Yellowstone Natural Park, located on the border of three US states. This biosphere reserve has international status and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Yellowstone Plateau is rich in thermal springs and geysers that emit hot jets to a height of over 40 meters. There are only five geyser fields in the world, one of which is Yellowstone. However, exactly half of all the thermal springs on the planet are concentrated here. Yellowstone Lake is located in the crater of the world's largest volcano. Over two thousand different plants grow here, as well as several hundred species of animals, including the grizzly bear, American bison, and puma. The park contains hotels, campsites and shops, there are museums and information centers, several paved roads and about 2 thousand km of marked trails.

2. Grand Canyon in Arizona

The USA is also home to one of the deepest canyons on the planet - the Grand Canyon in Arizona, on the Colorado Plateau. This canyon was formed by the constant flow of the Colorado River through limestone and various rocks, sandstone and shale. It was formed more than five million years ago, and represents the geological history of the planet in cross-section. It is the mesmerizing beauty of the multi-colored layers of rocks that attracts more than 2 million people here every year. The depth of the canyon is more than 1.5 thousand meters; to get down to the very bottom, tourists will need more than one hour of time. Moreover, the climate at the bottom of the canyon and at its top is strikingly different - while at the top it will be about 15-20 degrees warm, at the bottom the temperature can rise to as much as 40 degrees. Therefore, tourists prefer to explore the beauty of the canyon from observation platforms, and rafting on the Colorado River on inflatable boats or rafts is the most popular.


3. Plitvice Lakes in Croatia

The Plitvice Lakes Nature Reserve in Croatia is considered the most beautiful national park in Europe. And. There are about 16 lakes in the park that have an amazing color - bright blue, which is why all the photos of the reserve look like a photo montage. There are also about 20 caves and more than 140 beautiful waterfalls; by the way, there are more and more waterfalls every year. There are routes for pedestrians throughout the park, traffic is prohibited here, and you can admire the amazing underwater world through the clear azure water from wooden decks built especially for visitors. Swimming is prohibited in the lakes of the reserve; they are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The park also contains rare and unique types of vegetation that have been preserved since ancient times.


4. Iguazu National Park

On the border of Argentina and Brazil there is Iguazu National Park, the main attraction of which is the beautiful waterfall of the same name. The name of the park translates as “Big Water”, and this is not surprising. This is a real park of waterfalls, of which there are more than 270. The nature of the park is reminiscent of the Amazon tropics; there are several levels of growing forest, striking in its beauty and lush vegetation. You can travel around the park and explore the waterfalls right in your swimsuit, because there is no escape from the splashes of the waterfalls. For inspections there are special bridges, passages and observation platforms. From the heights of the waterfalls you can go down by jeep or boat to their feet.


5. Serengeti Park in Tanzania

The African continent is also home to quite a few national natural parks; the Serengeti Park in Tanzania is considered one of the oldest and most beautiful. The name of the park translates as “Endless Plains”, and its main attraction is the animal world. It is here that there are more than three million large animals, many of which are on the verge of extinction, as well as over 500 species of rare birds. The plains and savannas of the park are considered the best place on earth to observe the life of lions and cheetahs, antelopes and giraffes, elephants and rhinoceroses, as well as many other animals in natural conditions. The Serengeti Park is home to the largest population of lions on the planet.


6. Snowdonia National Park in Wales, UK

No less interesting for lovers of natural beauty and attractions is the Snowdonia National Park in Wales, UK. It is one of the first three national parks in the country and was created about 60 years ago. The name of the park comes from the name of Mount Snowdon, 1065 meters high, the highest point in Wales. The park occupies a quarter of the entire territory of Wales and is home to about 20 thousand people. The park has many lakes, including the largest in Great Britain, as well as unique flora and fauna. There are more than 2 km of hiking trails, as well as about 200 km of trails for horseback riding. Historical railways run through the park.


7. Kakadu National Park

The most beautiful place on the green continent of Australia is considered to be Kakadu National Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The park's territory extends 100 km in width and 200 km in length. Here you can find thousands of species of animals, birds and reptiles. Kakadu Park is also a real find for entomologists - more than 1000 species of various insects live here. The park is surrounded by high rocky mountains, which seem to protect it from the world of civilization and allow nature to rule here. In addition to mountains, there are forests and steppes, caves and waterfalls, rivers and lakes. There is a lot of interesting things in the park for lovers of antiquities - ancient writings and rock paintings were found at archaeological excavations. Today, Kakadu Park is the most visited nature reserve in Australia.


8. B Ulkans on the Hawaiian Islands

No less interesting will be a visit to the Hawaiian Volcanoes Volcano Park on the Hawaiian Islands. It is here that the most active active volcano on the planet, Kilauea, is located, the last eruption of which began in 1983 and continues to this day. A scientific observatory monitors the activity of the volcano, and tourists are allowed to visit the park. The volcanic national park was founded at the beginning of the 20th century and covers an area of ​​about 1,300 square kilometers. Here you can see the results of volcanic activity and processes thousands of years ago, which, in fact, formed the islands of Hawaii in the middle of the ocean. Moreover, there is a unique ecosystem here, rare plant species grow, including fern forests, and many species of animals and birds live here.


9. N Komodo National Park in Indonesia

Asia also has many natural attractions that need protection and protection. For this purpose, Komodo National Park in Indonesia was created. It includes three large islands and many small ones, as well as a water area. Only here is the ancient species of Komodo dragons, which are also called Komodo dragons, found, and the park itself is included in the UNESCO list. During the activity of prehistoric lizards, the species of which is included in the Red Book, excursions are conducted for tourists to their habitats. The underwater world amazes with its brightness and colorfulness; there are many coral reefs and rare species of fish. There are excellent conditions for snorkeling, diving and snorkeling.


10. Belovezhskaya Pushcha in Belarus

It is worth mentioning the oldest nature reserve in Europe - Belovezhskaya Pushcha in Belarus. The reserve was known as a national park, or protected natural area, back in the 15th and 16th centuries. The park is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. The main wealth of Belovezhskaya Pushcha is considered to be coniferous-deciduous forests, which have retained their original appearance. In addition to natural attractions, historical monuments have been preserved here - the sites of primitive man, fortresses and even a palace. Hotels and recreation centers have been built here for tourists.

Bali Barat is a national park in the north-west 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 there are tropical forests, jungles, dry savannas, mangrove swamps, as well as acacia thickets and alpine forests. To the north of the park is the jutting peninsula of Prapat Agung. It is surrounded by protected beaches and coral reefs, as well as the small offshore island of Menjangan, a popular diving destination. There are several extinct volcanoes in the east. The highest of them are Mount 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 Bali starling. First of all, it was for this reason 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 area is closed to the public, and only a few routes are accessible to tourists accompanied by official guides.

The most popular route through the tropical jungle is climbing Mount Gunung Klatakan. In addition to the stunning scent emanating from the many orchids, the path will be graced by black monkeys, hornbills and even flying foxes.

No less popular are the water routes that run along Gilimanuk Bay through the mangrove forests bordering the coast. Several graceful dusky Pacific Reef Herons can be spotted here.

The diversity of living nature 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 is formed according to the perfect laws established by the Creator. But with the advent of civilization, everything changes. Unfortunately, since time immemorial, people have been killing animals and cutting 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.

Goals of creating national parks.

The main purpose of creating national parks and reserves is to protect living organisms teetering on the brink of extinction. Without protected areas, elephants, rhinoceroses, 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 each created for its own special purpose.

Introduction

1. The purpose of creating national parks

2. Rationale for choosing a topic

3. The main idea of ​​the work

4 Main part

  • National parks of the world
  • Paanajärvi National Park
  • Taganay National Park
  • Transbaikal National Park
  • Olympic National Park
  • Yellowstone National Park
  • Monteverde National Park

5. Information sources

Main part

A national park is an area where human activity is limited for environmental protection purposes.

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 activity is allowed on a limited scale.

There are more than 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. Paanajärvi National Park was established on May 20, 1992 by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation. The area of ​​the national park is 104,473 hectares.

The 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 humans.

In the area of ​​the national park, 217 species of vertebrate animals have been registered: 36 species of mammals, 160 birds, 3 amphibians and reptiles, 17 fish and 1 species of cyclostomes.

The pearl of the park is Lake Paanajärvi, which, despite its small size (1.5 by 24 km), is exceptionally deep (128 m). There are many rapids on the rivers and significant waterfalls. The 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, research scientists, photographers, and many nature lovers to visit the park. Currently, the national park receives about 2.5 thousand visitors a year. 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 on average 10-15 km.

Taganay National Park is located in one of the most unique corners of the Southern Urals - in the area of ​​the Taganay mountain cluster, just north of the ancient Ural city of Zlatoust. Many valuable ecological systems – mountain tundras and meadows – have been preserved here almost untouched.

The flora contains about 800 species of higher vascular plants, of which 28 are rare and endangered. Inhabited by roe deer, wild boar, elk, beaver, brown bear, lynx, wolf, marten, ermine, weasel, otter.

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 short, the Taganay National Park is a small mountainous country with its peaks and intermountain valleys, rapid mountain rivers and marshy swamps, tundra and small taiga, the place is perhaps one of the most beautiful in the Southern Urals.

Transbaikal National Park (Russia)

The Zabaikalsky National Park was formed in 1986 on the territory of the Republic of Buryatia with the aim of preserving the unique natural complex of the Lake Baikal basin. The national park is located on the eastern coast of the lake. Baikal, in the central part of the Republic of Buryatia, in the Barguzinsky district. In the north, the territory of the Barguzin State Natural Biosphere Reserve adjoins the border of the national park.

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

In the territory of the national park, 291 species of terrestrial vertebrates have been registered: 44 species of mammals, 241 species of birds, 3 species of reptiles and 3 species of amphibians. The most common types of mammals are medium and large in size: white 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 part of the United States, in Washington state, famous for its amazing nature. The total area of ​​the park is 350,000 hectares. Here, in the Pacific fog that shrouds the coast and forest, large trees and a rugged coastline hide. The climate of this area is one of the wettest on the planet. The park has snow-capped mountains with slowly sliding glaciers, as well as rain forests as mysterious and dark as the Amazon rainforests.

In 1788, one 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 integrity of the pristine nature of these places, 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 park border coincides with the state borders of Rwanda and Uganda. The year of official birth of Virunga Park is considered to be 1929. It was then named Albert and Kivu National Park. In 1969, the separate Virunga National Park was separated from the single conservation area of ​​Albert and Kivu.

Currently, the park borders the lands of the Ruzvenzori National Park in Uganda and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Several years ago, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda took the initiative to create a transboundary biosphere reserve in the border area, which was to include Virunga National Park.

The area of ​​Virunga National Park is 790 thousand hectares. The landscapes within the national park are very diverse. Here you can find grassy and woody savannas, low-growing permanently wet forests, bamboo thickets, swamps, meadows and glaciers.

Yellowstone National Park (USA)

Yellowstone National Park - established 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 - force a huge number of tourists from all over the world to flock here.

The geysers of Yellowstone are considered unsurpassed in their grandeur. The colossal power of geysers is difficult 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 eruption 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. Hot waters, saturated with various chemical impurities, over centuries and millennia formed deposits of complex and varied shapes - drips, stepped terraces, pyramids and even something like stalactites, which 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 find 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 area. Since then, the reserve has been expanded several times and now covers approximately 10,500 hectares.

This nature 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 - 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, wild grass prairies, unique glaciers, spectacular views, and an abundance of life forms.

Information sources

  1. www.nparks.ru
  2. www.vokrugsveta.ru
  3. Discs – 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”
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