National parks of Russia
Kologrivsky 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 extensive areas of the reserve are occupied by swamps and wetlands, which is primarily due to the flat relief. There are small forest rivers in the reserve and no large lakes and rivers, which provides a significant density of animals whose life is directly connected with water bodies - this is, first of all, the otter, mink, beaver.
Katun Biosphere Reserve
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). 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 or more. In the highlands there are a large number of glaciers, with a total area of 283 sq. km.
Shulgan-Tash Nature Reserve
Shulgan-Tash State Nature Reserve in Bashkortostan, which has federal status. It is located in the western foothills of the 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 flora. The relief is low-mountainous. Mixed broad-leaved and coniferous-broad-leaved forests occupy 92% of the territory.
Natural Museum-Reserve Divnogorye
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 Cretaceous deposit 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 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.
Kuznetsk Alatau
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 mountain ranges dissected by rivers.
Kedrovaya Pad
The Kedrovaya Pad 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, which separate the basin of the Kedrovaya River from the basins of the Barabashevka and Narva rivers flowing near the borders of the reserve.
Lazovsky Reserve
The Lazovsky Reserve is located on the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin, between the rivers Kievka and Chernaya. 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 independent drainage basins of the Kievka and Chernaya rivers, which flow into the Sea of Japan. The remaining numerous rivers and streams of various sizes, directions and natures 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 Reserve
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.
Sochi National Park
national park located on the territory 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.
Altai Reserve
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.
UK national parks
Brecon Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons is located on a mountain range in South Wales, occupies a national park of 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.
Norfolk Broads
Broads National Park covers the county of Norfolk and Suffolk. This is a vast, protected wetland area in the UK and is home to some of the UK's rarest plants and animals. 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.
Dartmoor
The beautiful expanses of the Dartmoor swamps in Devon cover a huge area of Great Britain. Dartmoor contains the largest concentration of British Bronze Age artefacts, with 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 located within the park, there are 55 peaks over 900 m high. In general, Cairngorms occupies about six percent of Scotland.
Lake District
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 of England.
The Trossachs and Loch Lomond
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.
Peak District
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 Great Britain. 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.
US national parks
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is one of the iconic places in the United States of America. The Grand Canyon stretches for 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, it 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 and Nevada border
Death Valley is the hottest and dry place v 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.
Hawaiian volcanoes
This dramatic landscape includes two active volcano: 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. V Saxon Switzerland ancient coniferous trees grow.
swiss national park
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
16 lakes amaze visitors who come to this Croatian national park. The shades of water in the lakes change from crystal green to dark 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 sq. km 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 sq. km, but there is something to see.
Goreme, Turkey
Turkey's National Park inspires photographers all over the world with its surreal landscapes, caves and oddly shaped hills.
National parks of the world
Fiordland, New Zealand
snow covered Mountain peaks national park will inspire any photographer. Most of the plots of the film "The Lord of the Rings" were filmed here.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
This park is one of the best places, which are worth visiting to see the whole 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.
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.
Sagarmatha, Nepal
Most of the park is occupied by mountains, one of which highest point our planet - the top of Everest. The territory of the park strikes the imagination with rivers, glaciers and beautiful mountain landscapes.
Torres del Paine, Chile
Torres del Paine National Park is home to the spectacular Andean peaks. Photographers are presented with lakes, glaciers and mountain glades. Here you can meet guanacos, cougars and rare birds.
Kakadu, Australia
Kakadu National Park is a facility world heritage UNESCO. 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 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 contains tall sandstone pillars that have been formed as a result of years of erosion caused by the expansion of the ice.
Jim Corbett, India
The national park is named after a hunter who gave up his job 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
The park will amaze you picturesque rocks and waterfalls, including Angel Falls, which is over one kilometer high.
Ao Phang Nga, Thailand
A distinctive feature of the park Ao Phang Nga are the highest cliffs that rest directly on the water. The combination of sea and mountain landscape is sure to impress photographers
There are so many on earth beautiful places 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 created - but people did not spoil 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 national park), Guatemala
Tikal- the strongest Mayan city in Guatemala and one of the most mystical and mysterious places 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 cave Huanglong (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 compares to the splendor wildlife Africa, and 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 the park Manyara.
The park is located on northern Tanzania, an hour and a half drive west of Arusha.
Manyara Lake Reserve- picturesque gem framed UNESCO: in 1981 the park was included in the worldwide network of biosphere reserves.
9. Swiss National Park, SwitzerlandDespite 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 in this area 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...
Is this not a silent call: "People, take care of me!"
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 located in the Northern Territory of 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.
7. Snowdonia National Park(Snowdonia), UK, Walessnowdonia 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!
These are mountain landscapes of indescribable beauty and wide sandy beaches, monasteries and ancient castles, dense forests and crystal clear lakes. Untouched nature, unique Celtic culture and developed tourist infrastructure coexist surprisingly harmoniously here.
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 referred to as "the city in the sky" or "the city among the clouds", but more commonly as the "lost city of the Incas". 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 middle of a tropical forest. 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 most large 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.
Read more
2. Iguazu National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Iguazú), South America
National the 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 South America- 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 most beautiful waterfalls 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 rock outcrops 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.
Orangutan rehabilitation center in Borneo - a lesson in humanity for people
Prices for tours to the best National stamps of the world see
As you can guess from the title, national park Snowdonia is located in the Snowdon Mountains. From a height of 3560 feet, there is a scenic view of the park. Lakes and rivers are set against a backdrop of trees and rocks, making the park an ideal place to relax and take photos. Within the borders of Snowdonia Park, visitors can also admire ancient castles. History is a realm of legend and lore, which makes the park an even more fascinating place to visit. Sleep music is easy and relaxing to listen to
Grand Canyon, USA
For hundreds of years, the Colorado River has carved this amazingly complex Grand Canyon. Every year tourists flock to this place to admire its beauty, take a trip to the bottom of the canyon and set up camp. The Grand Canyon is one of natural wonders light, and was also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The territory of the Grand Canyon extends over more than 1,200,000 acres.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
One of the largest national parks in the world, Kruger Park covers millions of acres of land. It is home to a huge number of African animal species, including elephants, giraffes and many more. You can watch these animals from observation towers scattered throughout the park. More Kruger National Park offers 9 various routes, including at night.
Deosai, Pakistan
Every spring, thousands of flowers and butterflies begin to bloom in Deosai National Park, forming a living carpet, and this riot of colors makes this place fabulously beautiful. Of course, it is advisable to visit the park in the spring, although it is beautiful. all year round.
Kakadu National Park, Australia
The Australian Government and Indigenous People are working together to take care of this beautiful national park Cockatoo. The park is a World Heritage Site and its breathtaking views attract tourists all year round. One of the park's most interesting attractions is the Aboriginal rock art that can be found in the area. It is also home to a range of animals, including the saltwater crocodile.
Hortobagy, Hungary
Hortobagy became the first national park in Hungary. It was declared as a national park in 1973. In 1999, the park was included in the list of World Heritage Sites. Home to wild horses and a range of endangered birds, Hortobagy Park is home to over 342 bird species and is a true birdwatcher's paradise.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
This area of Croatia is ideal for relaxation and hiking amazing mountainous area with lakes and streams. The uniqueness of the reservoirs of this park is that the water contains travertine. This gives the water perfect transparency as well as a very bright blue-green hue.
Madain Saley National Historical Park, Saudi Arabia
While many parks are densely vegetated, Madain Salei is almost entirely desert and rocky. The amazing oases and attractions of the park will blow your mind. The ancient burial ground in the park is also beautiful. Over 125 graves and facades were carved into the rock sometime between 500 BC. and 100 AD. They are still in excellent condition and are certainly worth a visit if you visit the area.
Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
Here you can admire Everest, as well as the mountains adjacent to it, monasteries and villages. national park serves as a home for mountain goats, which are perfectly balanced, climbing dangerous sheer cliffs.
Iguazu National Park, Argentina and Brazil
national park Iguazu is located in Argentina and Brazil. Iguazu Falls is actually made up of hundreds of waterfalls in a circle of curved rock. The park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including howler monkeys, jaguars, tapirs, and caimans.
Today, there are a large number of reserves and parks, where everyone has the opportunity to admire untouched nature. As well as rare plants and animals.
We present to your attention the 10 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 three American states. A significant part of its area is covered with solidified lava, since on its territory there is the most big volcano on the continent in whose crater Yellowstone Lake is located.
The park is one of the world's five geyser fields, but it is in nm that their main part is concentrated, including the largest geyser called "Steamboat". Streams of its hot water break out to a height that exceeds 40 meters. In addition, half of the world's geothermal sources are located here. Here you can meet more than 2,000 diverse representatives of the flora and hundreds of species of rare animals, including the puma and the grizzly bear. It is not surprising that this international reserve is under the protection of UNESCO.
The park is well suited for visiting tourists. They have hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails, several motorized roads, campsites, museums, hotels and shops.
Cockatoo
This park, also belongs to the UNESCO heritage, located in Australia. He is considered the most popular place continent. Connoisseurs of archaeological antiquity can admire the amazing rock paintings and samples of ancient writings.
Insect lovers will not remain indifferent to their diversity. Fans of animals, birds and reptiles will also have a lot of fun - because the cockatoo is rich in a huge number of rare fauna.
Due to the fact that the reserve is surrounded by high rocky mountains, favorable natural conditions are preserved here. A 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 watch these marine inhabitants in natural conditions their habitats. The islands are home to eight hundred different types of molluscs, more than 140 of which are unique and found nowhere else. This also applies to 17% of all existing species of 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 nature Park, the main part of whose territory is occupied by savannah, is located on the coast of Africa in Tanzania.
The main outstanding feature of the Serengeti is its unusual and rich animal world. The largest population of lions in the world lives here, as well as more than 500 species of birds and about 3 million representatives of a large fauna. Antelopes, elephants, cheetahs, rhinos, zebras, giraffes - this is not a complete list of animals that can be observed at arm's length.
Due to the vast territory, animals have the opportunity of natural annual migration, fleeing from 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, so swimming in them is prohibited. But to admire the incomparable underwater world from special wooden floorings, anyone can. Surprisingly clear water of bright blue color makes the landscape unreal and looks like a picture that came out from the pen of a great master.
Color is added by more than 100 waterfalls, the number of which is growing every year, and twenty natural caves.
On the territory of the reserve you can walk only on foot, 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 habitats of these prehistoric pangolins.
In addition, Komodo is rich in rare species of fish, as well as unusual coral reefs. No wonder divers from all over the world seek to admire the beauty of this place.
The territory of the reserve, included in the UNESCO heritage, includes a water plateau and three big 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 high mountains. Only a few footpaths connect it with the outside world. It is not possible to get to the park by car. You have to use a boat, an airplane, or your feet. But on the territory you will be met by equipped comfortable hotels that offer luxury vacation after long excursions.
Canaima is home to Angel Falls, the highest in the world. One more interesting feature- Pemon Indians who live on the territory of the reserve.
All this allowed UNESCO to include Canaima among the world heritage sites.
fiordland
This largest park in New Zealand is considered the most impenetrable place South Island.
There are mountains with a height of more than 27 km, 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 meet the bottlenose dolphin and the cockatoo parrot.
banff
Discussing beautiful nature reserves, one cannot help but recall the most national park in Canada, founded in the 19th century after the creation of Yellowstone. It owes its origin to the construction railway when workers accidentally stumbled upon terminal springs.
In the center of the park at an altitude of about 14 km is the city of Banff, which is the highest locality Canada. Every year thousands of tourists come here to admire the beauty of nature, glaciers, high mountains and coniferous forests.
Grand Canyon
This world-famous park is located on the Colorado Plateau in the US state of Arizona. According to scientists, it owes its origin to the Colorado River. She began to make her way in the rock millions of years ago. As a result, huge depressions were formed, about one and a half kilometers deep. A huge number of rocks of the most unusual color do not cease to attract the attention of tourists from all over the world. The most daring descend to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, which takes several hours. Most admire 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 makes it possible to feel all the beauty and power of wild nature, and understand how much this beauty requires our protection.
The American television channel CNN has ranked the 30 most beautiful national parks in the world. The evaluation criteria were the beauty of nature and picturesque places, safety and hospitality local residents. The TV channel drew attention to the fact that US parks do not participate in the rating.
30 PHOTOS
1. The first place in the ranking was given to the Iguazu Falls National Park in Argentina. Surrounded by tropical nature, the waterfalls on the Iguazu River are considered to be one of the most beautiful and spectacular places on Earth. (Photo: REUTERS/Jorge Adorno). 
2. The second place in the ranking was taken by Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. 30 percent of the park is covered with ice, which is why it is also called the Glacier Park in Patagonia. (Photo: 123 RF). 
3. Third place: another National Park of Argentina - Nahuel Huapi, which is located in the Andes at an altitude of 767 meters above sea level. (Photo: 123 RF). 
4. Fourth place: national reserve Gandoca Manzanilla in Costa Rica. 
5. Fifth place in the ranking: Tikal National Park in Guatemala. It includes one of the largest and most famous archaeological sites in the world - the most important center of Mayan civilization Tikal. (Photo: 123 RF). 
6. Ranked No. 6: National Park Rapa Nui, which is located on Easter Island (Chile) and is famous for its stone sculptures - moai. It is believed that this is the most geographically distant 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. This is where the most high waterfall in the world - Angel. (Photo: Flickr/Heather Thorkelson). 
9. Ninth place: National Park of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. famous Galapagos tortoises, which gave the name to the islands, are record holders of longevity 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: Göreme National Park in Turkey, which is also a museum under open sky- there are 350 Byzantine churches carved from the rocks. (Photo: 123 RF). 
12. Twelfth place: Tatzhansky or Tatrinsky National Park is the only high-mountain park in Poland created to protect unique mountain landscapes, flora and fauna. (Photo: Marek Podmokly/Agencja Gazeta). 
13. Thirteenth place: Croatian Plitvice Lakes National Park, which includes 16 beautiful karst lakes connected by waterfalls. (Photo: 123 RF). 
14. Fourteenth place: Victoria Falls National Park - located on the Zambezi River in Zambia. (Photo: 123 RF). 
15. Fifteenth place: Kruger National Park is 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 desert, and is one of the largest protected areas in the world. (Photo: 123 RF). 
17. Seventeenth place: Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. Even in the dry season, there is a lot of moisture left here, which is very important for the ecosystem and animals. (Photo: Flickr / ninara). 
18. Eighteenth place: Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, on its territory there are many water cascades that waterfowl love. (Photo: 123 RF). 
19. Nineteenth place: Halgurd Sakran National Park in Iraq, which includes Mount Halgurd with a height of 3607 meters. (Facebook/press materials). 
20. Twentieth place: the deserted Ein Avdat National Park in Israel, which guards the beautiful territories of the canyon, inhabited in the days of the first Christians by monks and Nabataeans. (Photo: 123 RF). 
21. Twenty-first place: Zhangjiajie National Park in China. It was here that the famous film "Avatar" was filmed. (Photo: 123 RF). 
22. 22nd Place: Najangsan National Park in South Korea It is especially beautiful in autumn. The park is hidden in the mountains of Najangsan south of Seoul. (Photo: 123 RF). 
23. Twenty-third place: Pagsanhan Gorge National Park in the Philippines. It includes the largest waterfalls in the country. According to legend, before the appearance of the waterfalls, two twins lived in this place. 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 spring began to beat from under his feet, which laid the foundation for waterfalls. (Photo: 123 RF). 
24. Twenty-fourth place: Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka, the main pride of which is a large population of elephants. (Photo: 123 RF). 
25. Twenty-fifth place: Sundarbans National Park is a tiger and biosphere reserve in India. (Photo: 123 RF). 
26. Twenty-sixth place: Bannerghatta National Park in India. Part of the park is nature reserve, where more than a hundred species of birds, many mammals (including elephants, bears, leopards) and insects are under strict protection. There is also an animal rescue center here. (Photo: Flickr / Nisha D). 
27. Twenty-seventh place: Bandhavgarh National Park, the largest population of tigers in all of India lives here. (Photo: 123 RF). 
28. Twenty-eighth place: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia. The famous red-brown mountain Uluru (Ayers Rock) changes its color depending on the angle of the light. (Photo: 123 RF). 
29. 29th Place: National Park Blue Mountains in Australia. The name "Blue Mountains" comes from the blue eucalyptus trees growing on the slopes of the mountains. (Photo: 123 RF). 
30. Thirtieth place: Paparoa National Park in New Zealand, the main attraction of which are pancake limestone rocks, as well as beautiful caves. (Photo: 123 RF).
