National parks of the world about animals. Fiordland National Park, New Zealand. Chagos Naval Reserve

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 there are tropical forests, jungles, dry savannas, 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 the small coastal island of Menjangan, a popular diving destination. There are several in the east extinct volcanoes... The highest of them are the Patas Mountains (1,412 meters) and the Merbuk (1,388 meters).

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

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

Equally popular are the water routes along Gilimanuk Bay through the mangrove forests that line the coast. Several dainty dark gray Pacific reef herons can be spotted here.

The American television channel CNN has ranked the 30 most beautiful national parks in the world. The evaluation criteria were the beauty of nature and picturesque places, safety and hospitality of local residents. The TV channel drew attention to the fact that US parks are not included in the rating.

30 PHOTOS

1. First place in the rating received National park Iguazu Falls in Argentina. It is believed that the waterfalls on the Iguazu River surrounded by tropical nature are one of the most beautiful and spectacular places on Earth. (Photo: REUTERS / Jorge Adorno).
2. The second place in the ranking was taken by the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. 30 percent of the park is covered with ice, which is why it is also called the glacier park in Patagonia. (Photo: 123 RF).
3. Third place: another National Park of Argentina - Nahuel Huapi, which is located in the Andes at an altitude of 767 meters above sea level. (Photo: 123 RF).
4. Fourth place: National Reserve Gandoka-Manzanilla in Costa Rica.
5. Fifth place in the ranking: Tikal National Park in Guatemala. It includes one of the largest and most famous archaeological sites in the world - the most important center of the Mayan civilization Tikal. (Photo: 123 RF).
6. Sixth place in the ranking: National Park Rapa Nui, which is located on Easter Island (Chile) and is famous for its stone sculptures - moai. It is believed that it is the most geographically inhabited island in the world from other islands and lands. (Photo: 123 RF).
7. Seventh place: Torres del Paine National Park located in the Chilean part of Patagonia. According to scientists, the park is 11 million years old. (Photo: 123 RF).
8. Eighth place: Canaima National Park, located in the southeast of Venezuela. It is here that the highest waterfall in the world is located - Angel. (Photo: Flickr / Heather Thorkelson).
9. Ninth place: National Park of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The famous Galapagos turtles, which gave the name to the islands, are the longest-livers among animals - they live for more than two hundred years. (Photo: 123 RF).
10. Tenth place: Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. The park has vast wastelands where birds nest. (Photo: Flickr).
11. Eleventh place: Goreme National Park in Turkey, which is also an open-air museum - there are 350 rock-hewn Byzantine churches. (Photo: 123 RF).
12. Twelfth place: Tatzansky or Tatrinsky National Park - the only high-mountain park in Poland, created to protect unique mountain landscapes, flora and fauna. (Photo: Marek Podmokly / Agencja Gazeta).
13. Thirteenth place: Croatian Plitvice Lakes National Park, which includes 16 beautiful karst lakes connected by waterfalls. (Photo: 123 RF).
14. Fourteenth place: Victoria Falls National Park - located on the Zambezi River in Zambia. (Photo: 123 RF).
15. Fifteenth place: Kruger National Park - the oldest park in South Africa, which is part of the Kruger-to-Canyons Biosphere Reserve. (Photo: 123 RF).
16. Sixteenth place: Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia. Its area is almost 50 thousand square kilometers, mostly deserts, and is one of the largest protected areas in the world. (Photo: 123 RF).
17. Seventeenth place: Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. Even in the dry season, a lot of moisture remains here, which is very important for the ecosystem and animals. (Photo: Flickr / ninara).
18. Eighteenth place: Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, on its territory there are many water cascades that are loved by water birds. (Photo: 123 RF).
19. Nineteenth place: Halgurd Sakran National Park in Iraq, which includes Mount Halgurd 3607 meters high. (Facebook / press material).
20. Twentieth place: the deserted Ein Avdat National Park in Israel, which guards the beautiful territory of a canyon, inhabited during the time of the first Christians by monks and Nabateans. (Photo: 123 RF).
21. Twenty-first place: Zhangjiajie National Park in China. It was here that the famous film "Avatar" was filmed. (Photo: 123 RF).
22. 22nd Place: Naejangsan National Park in South Korea- it is especially beautiful in autumn. The park is hiding in the Nejangsan Mountains south of Seoul. (Photo: 123 RF).
23. Twenty-third place: Pagsanhan Gorge National Park in the Philippines. It includes the largest waterfalls in the country. According to legend, before the appearance of the waterfalls, two twins lived in this place. Once, after a severe drought, one of them died, then the second twin climbed high rocks and began to curse the gods, when suddenly a source began to beat from under his feet, which laid the foundation for the waterfalls. (Photo: 123 RF).
24. Twenty-fourth place: Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka, whose main pride is a large population of elephants. (Photo: 123 RF).
25. Twenty-fifth place: Sundarban National Park - a tiger and biosphere reserve in India. (Photo: 123 RF).
26. Twenty-sixth place: Bannerghatta National Park in India. Part of the park is a nature reserve, where more than a hundred species of birds, many mammals (including elephants, bears, leopards) and insects are under strict protection. There is also a rescue center for animals. (Photo: Flickr / Nisha D).
27. 27. Bandhavgarh National Park, home to the largest population of tigers in all of India. (Photo: 123 RF).
28. Twenty-eighth place: Uluru-Kata-Tjuta National Park in Australia. The famous red-brown mountain Uluru (Ayrs Rock) changes color depending on the angle of incidence of light. (Photo: 123 RF).
29. Twenty-ninth place: Blue Mountains National Park in Australia. The name "Blue Mountains" comes from the blue eucalyptus trees growing on the slopes of the mountains. (Photo: 123 RF).
30. Thirtieth place: Paparoa National Park in New Zealand, the main attraction of which is the limestone cliffs of pancakes, as well as beautiful caves. (Photo: 123 RF).

Today there is a large number of nature reserves and parks, where everyone has the opportunity to admire the unspoiled nature. As well as rare plants and animals.

We present to your attention 10 of the most unusual national park areas.

Yellowstone

It traditionally opens any park rating, as it is the first national reserve in history, opened in the 19th century on the border of the three American states. A significant part of its area is covered with solidified lava, since on its territory there is the largest volcano on the continent, in the crater of which Lake Yellowstone is located.

The park is one of the five world geyser fields, but it is in nm that their main part is concentrated, including the largest geyser called "Steamer". Streams of its hot water rush to a height of more than 40 meters. In addition, half of the world's geothermal sources are located here. More than 2,000 diverse flora and hundreds of rare animal species can be found here, including the cougar and grizzly bear. No wonder this international nature reserve is protected by UNESCO.

The park is perfectly adapted for visiting tourists. They have hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails, several roadways, campgrounds, museums, hotels and shops at their disposal.

Cockatoo

This park, also owned by UNESCO, is located in Australia. It is considered the most popular destination on the continent. Connoisseurs of archaeological antiquity can admire the amazing rock paintings and examples of ancient scriptures.

Insect lovers will not remain indifferent to their diversity. Fans of animals, birds and reptiles will also have a lot of pleasure - because the cockatoo is rich in a huge number of rare representatives of the fauna.

Due to the fact that the reserve is surrounded by high rocky mountains, favorable natural conditions are preserved here. The huge area: 2000 m long and 1000 m wide allows all the inhabitants of the park to feel as comfortable as possible.

Galapagos Islands

The name of this national park comes from the name of one of its inhabitants - the giant Galapagos tortoise. Another celebrity is the unique species of tropical Galapagos penguin.

Since 1990, the park has become an official whale and shark sanctuary. It is here that you can observe these marine inhabitants in the natural conditions of their habitat. The islands are home to eight hundred different types of molluscs, more than 140 of which are unique and not found anywhere else. This also applies to 17% of all existing species Galapagos fish, as well as up to 13 species of finches that live only in the archipelago. Visitors to the reserve can also see the only flightless cormorant on the planet.

Serengeti

This natural park, the main part of which is the savannah, is located on the coast of Africa in Tanzania.

The main outstanding feature of the Serengeti is its unusual and richest world animals. It is home to the world's largest population of lions, as well as more than 500 species of birds and about 3 million representatives of a large fauna. Antelopes, elephants, cheetahs, rhinos, zebras, giraffes are far from complete list animals that can be observed at arm's length.

Due to the vast territory, animals have the opportunity of natural annual migration, fleeing drought.

Plitvice Lakes

The nature reserve located in Croatia is one of the most beautiful national European parks. It owes its name to 16 lakes located on its territory. All of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage, therefore it is forbidden to swim in them. But admire the incomparable underwater world from special wooden flooring anyone can. Amazingly clear water of a bright blue color makes the landscape unreal and looks like a painting that came from the pen of the great master.

More than 100 waterfalls, the number of which is growing every year, and twenty natural caves add color.

You can only walk on the territory of the reserve, it is forbidden to travel by transport here.

Komodo

This park is located in Indonesia and is famous for its inhabitants, which are protected by the Red Book - Komodo monitor lizards. Tourists have a unique opportunity to visit the places where these prehistoric dinosaurs live.

In addition, Komodo is rich in rare fish species and unusual coral reefs. Unsurprisingly, divers from all over the world are eager to admire the beauty of this place.

The territory of the reserve, included in the heritage of UNESCO, includes a water plateau and three large islands surrounded by countless small islands.

Canaima

It is located in the southeastern region of Venezuela, bordering Brazil and Guyana. Its territory is huge - about 30,000 km2 and is comparable to the area of ​​Belgium.

The peculiarity of the reserve is its complete isolation from civilization due to the high mountains. It is connected with the outside world by only a few walking paths. It is impossible to get to the park by car. You have to use a boat, an airplane, or your own feet. But on the territory you will be greeted by equipped comfortable hotels that offer a luxurious rest after long excursions.

In Canaima, there is Angel Falls - the highest in the world. Another one interesting feature- Pemon Indians who live in the reserve.

All this allowed UNESCO to include Canaima in the list of world heritage sites.

Fiordland

This largest New Zealand park is considered the most rugged area of ​​the South Island.

There are mountains over 27 km high, deep lakes, fast-flowing rivers and huge waterfalls. And the inflow of the park called Milford Sound, which stretches for 16 km, according to the writer Kipling, is the eighth wonder of the world.

Fiordland is rich in rare species of fauna and flora. Here you can see bottle-nosed dolphins and cockatoo parrots.

Banff

When discussing beautiful nature reserves, one cannot but recall the most national park in Canada, founded in the 19th century after the creation of Yellowstone. It owes its origin to construction railroad when workers accidentally stumbled upon terminal sources.

In the center of the park, at an altitude of about 14 km, is the city of Banff, which is the highest settlement Canada. Thousands of tourists come here every year to admire the beauty of nature, glaciers, high mountains and coniferous forests.

Grand Canyon

This park, known all over the world, is located on the Colorado plateau in the American state of Arizona. According to scientists, it owes its origin to the Colorado River. She began to work her way into the rock millions of years ago. As a result, huge depressions were formed, about one and a half kilometers deep. Great amount rocks of the most unusual color never cease to attract the attention of tourists from all over the world. The bravest ones descend to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, which takes several hours. Most admire the beauty from numerous viewing platforms... Almost every vacationer tries to raft down the Colorado River in an inflatable boat.

Of course, it is simply impossible to list all the extraordinary parks of our planet. However, even visiting several of them gives an opportunity to feel all the beauty and power. wildlife, and understand how much this beauty requires our protection.

National parks of Russia

Kologriv forest

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 large areas of the reserve are occupied by swamps and wetlands, which is primarily due to the flat relief. The reserve has small forest rivers and no large lakes and rivers, which provides a significant density of animals whose life is directly related to water bodies - first of all, the otter, mink, beaver.

Katunsky biosphere reserve

The territory of the Katunsky and Altai reserves is included in the UNESCO list of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage under the name "Golden Mountains of Altai" (1998). The absolute heights of the Katunsky Reserve range from 1300 to 3280 m above sea level. On the territory there are 135 lakes with an area of ​​151 664 hectares and more. There are a large number of glaciers in the highlands, with a total area of ​​283 sq. km.

Shulgan-Tash Nature Reserve

State nature reserve Shulgan-Tash in Bashkortostan, which has federal status. Located in the western foothills of the Southern Urals, in the mountain-forest belt, within the Burzyansk region. Total area - 225 sq. km. The rich landscape mosaic also determines the high diversity of the flora. The relief is low-mountainous. Mixed deciduous and coniferous-deciduous forests occupy 92% of the territory.

Natural Museum-Reserve Divnogorie

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 sq. km. From a geological point of view, the reserve is a chalk sediment on the surface of the earth. The maximum height of the plateau above sea level reaches 181 meters, relative - 103 meters (the mouth of the Tikhaya Sosna 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 the rather significant height difference between the plateau and the floodplain of the Don and Tikhaya Sosna rivers, its microclimate is significantly different from the surrounding floodplain lowland.

Kuznetsk Alatau

The state reserve "Kuznetsk Alatau" is located in the south of Central Siberia, at its highest point - on the western slope of the ridge, at the intersection of the Mezhdurechensky, Tisulsky and Novokuznetsk districts of the Kemerovo region. The Kuznetsky Alatau ridge itself stretches over almost the third part of the Kemerovo region. This ridge is a relief consisting of medium and high mountain ranges, dissected by rivers.

Cedar Pad

The Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve is located in the Khasansky District of the Primorsky Territory, between the western coast of the Amur Bay and the border with China, on the spurs of the East Manchurian mountain ranges of the Sukhorechensky and Gakkelevsky ridges, separating the Kedrovaya River basin from the basins of the Barabashevka rivers near and the borders of the Narva reserve.

Lazovsky reserve

Lazovsky Nature Reserve is located on the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin, in the interfluve of the Kievka and Chernaya rivers. In terms of size and moisture regime, the mainland part of the territory of the Lazovsky Reserve, located northwest of the Zapovedny ridge. Almost the entire territory of the reserve is divided between two separate drainage basins of the Kievka and Chernaya rivers flowing into the Sea of ​​Japan. The rest of the numerous rivers and streams of various sizes, directions 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.

Baikal-Lensky nature reserve

The main part of the reserve is represented by taiga forests of various types. Fragments of ancient relict steppes have survived on the coast of Lake Baikal; 50 species of mammals and about 240 species of birds live. The reserve is famous for its high number of bears. In addition, here you can meet such rare and interesting birds as the white-tailed eagle, black stork, hump-nosed scooter, cinder, gray crane.

Sochi National Park

The national park is located on the territory of Greater Sochi: from the borders with the Tuapse region, 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 ridge. Most of the park's territory 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.

Altai nature reserve

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

National parks of Great Britain

Brecon Beacons National Park

Brecon Beacons is located on a mountain range in South Wales, occupying a national park of about 1345 sq. km, the park is home to the highest mountain in southern Britain. Brecon Beacons translates as "Brecon Beacons", the name came from antiquity, when people signaled to each other about the approach of enemies with the help of fires lit on the tops of the mountains.

Norfolk Brods

Brods National Park covers Norfolk and Suffolk. It is a vast, protected wetland area in the UK and is home to some of the rare plants and animals in the UK. It is the third largest park in the UK and occupies a vast expanse of water. The territory of the park includes seven main rivers and 63 remains of medieval peat excavations.

Dartmoor

The beautiful expanses of the Dartmoor swamps in Devon cover a huge area of ​​Great Britain. Dartmoor contains the largest concentration of artifacts from the British Bronze Age, and is home to many ancient stones and other monuments.

Cairngorms

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

Lake District

The Lake District, often compared to the sea, is located in a mountainous region in Cumbria, in the northwest of England. The entire territory of England is more than three thousand meters above sea level in the National Park, including Scofell, the highest mountain in England. The deep and long lakes of England are also located here.

Trossax and Loch Lomond

This park in the west of Scotland is located in the Loch Lomond area, which is the largest freshwater reserve in the UK mainland. On the territory of the park there are 21 peaks, more than 1000 meters in height and 19 peaks, more than 2500 m in height, as well as two forest parks - Queen Elizabeth and Argyll.

Peak District

The oldest national park in Great Britain. It attracts around 10 million visitors a year, thanks in large part to its proximity to a number of major cities in northern England, making it one of the UK's busiest national parks. 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.

National parks of the USA

Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is one of the iconic locations in the United States of America. The Grand Canyon is nearly 450 km long. It was formed as a result of the impact of the Colorado River over the millennia. 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 from the ground to the outside, making a unique impression on the audience. The park is home to many wildlife including grizzly bears and elk.

Rocky Mountain, Montana

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

Everglades, Florida

The 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, which cut across 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 driest 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. Denali's landscape is a mixture of forest, tundra, glaciers and rocks.

Hawaiian volcanoes

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 Caves, 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 is distinguished by extremely beautiful rocky landscapes and canyons. Ancient conifers grow in Saxon Switzerland.

Swiss National Park

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

Teide, Tenerife island, Spain

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

16 lakes will boggle the imagination of visitors to this Croatian national park. Shades of water in lakes range from crystal green to deep blue.

Vatnajökull, Iceland

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

Cévennes, 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 on the territory of the park.

Olympus, Greece

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

Abruzzo, Italy

The Abruzzo Park is home to huge granite peaks and beech forests. This mountainous desert is home to the brown bear, wild lynx, wolves and royal eagles.

Tatras, Slovakia

The oldest national park in Slovakia covers 741 sq. km of the area. Pines and other conifers grow here. There are many lakes in the park, and a wide variety of wild animals live here.

Burren, Ireland

The Burren is the smallest of Ireland's six national parks. The park area is only 15 sq. km, but there is something to see.

Goreme, Turkey

Turkey's National Park inspires photographers around the world with its surreal landscapes, caves and bizarre hills.

National parks of the world

Fiordland, New Zealand

The snow-capped mountain peaks of the national park will inspire any photographer. Most of the Lord of the Rings movie was filmed here.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

This park is one of the best places to visit to see the full flavor of the African continent. It is home to lions, African elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos.

Banff, Canada

It is Canada's oldest national park and impresses with its rich mountain ranges, dense wooded regions, glaciers and ice fields. Banff is home to grizzly bears, elk and bighorn sheep.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The island's wildlife has evolved in isolation for millions of years, resulting in unique animals and rare plant species.

Sagarmatha, Nepal

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 amazes the imagination with rivers, glaciers and beautiful mountain landscapes.

Torres del Paine, Chile

The Torres del Paine National Park is home to the impressive Andean peaks. Lakes, glaciers and mountain glades are presented to the attention of photographers. Guanacos, cougars and rare birds can be found here.

Cockatoo, Australia

Kakadu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is rich in impressive waterfalls, rivers and swamps, and is home to many wildlife, 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. The hallmark of the parks is a chain of beautiful waterfalls surrounded by jungle. Visitors' attention is impressed by the huge variety of birds living around the Iguazu Falls.

Serengeti, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is famous for the annual migration of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles that passes through the park.

Fuji Hakone Izu, Japan

Japan's most popular national park includes views of the dormant Mount Fuji at the center of the park. Fuji Hakone Izu is 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. The park is home to tall sandstone pillars created by years of erosion caused by the expansion of ice.

Jim Corbett, India

The national park is named after a hunter who gave up his job and set about protecting 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

The park will amaze you with picturesque cliffs and waterfalls, including Angel Falls, which is over one kilometer high.

Ao Phang Nga, Thailand

A distinctive feature of Ao Phang Nga Park is the highest cliffs that run right into the water. The combination of sea and mountain scenery is sure to impress photographers

Such parks can cover vast areas with impassable forests, islands, coastal waters and even mountain ranges and volcanoes. In contrast to nature reserves and reserves, the protection regime in natural parks is the least strict. Moreover, these parks are a great opportunity for tourists to get acquainted with the natural resources of a 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 the most popular parks in Japan. On the territory of the park there is an active volcano Fuji with its five lakes, the Izu Peninsula and islands near 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

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 United States National Park Service. About five million people visit this park every year to see with their own eyes the striking beauty of the canyon that the Colorado River has carved for millions of years. The southern edge of the canyon is the most visited; the most numerous observation platforms are located here. The northern edge of the canyon, located 300 meters higher, is much less crowded, but it is good for its wild flowering meadows, spruce and aspen groves. The rest of the canyon is remote and difficult to access, although some areas can be reached via hiking trails and country roads.

Guilin National Park, China

Located in the southeast of 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 park's nature has inspired many Chinese poets and artists, and parts of the park have even been depicted on local banknotes. To see all the beauty of Guilin, it is best to take a 50-kilometer cruise along the Lijiang River, from Guilin to Yangshuo.

Banff National Park, Canada

It is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Canadian Rockies. Lonely Planet describes Banff Park like this: “Mountains, high mountains, mountains everywhere. Rapid rivers carry their waters between beautiful hills. Huge glaciers slide down from the peaks and almost touch the ground. Lakes with turquoise water flicker in the sun - so rich 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 World Heritage Site. The Serengeti is known all over the world for its annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles, and buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, swamps, impalas, lions and leopards run between amazing acacias. And there are probably the most enchanting sunsets in the world.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

It is considered by many to be the most spectacular national park in 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, as well as the only national park in the country. It is famous for its unique alpine plants - in particular, edelweiss, which grow only high in the mountains. Alpine animals are also found in this park - chamois, deer and marmots. An 80 km network of trails runs through the park, making the area a hiker's paradise.

Lake District National Park, England

The lands that inspired the artist William Turner and the writer Beatrix Potter became national parks in 1951. The park consists of valleys with granite boulders and 16 strikingly beautiful lakes resting in the lowlands. Cyclists and water sports enthusiasts like windsurfing, kayaking and fishing have chosen these places.

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

Located on the South Island, the park is the largest national park in the country. It encompasses rugged mountain ranges, 14 magnificent fjords and world famous waterfalls. Two of the park's most famous landmarks are the Milford Sound Fjord, which Rudyard Kipling called "the eighth wonder of the world," and the Dauthful Sound Fjord, which can only be reached by water. People come to the national park to watch birds, go boating, kayaking, mountain biking and hiking.

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

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