National parks of Europe
National parks are some of the most beautiful and treasured areas on Earth. They're also one of the best ways to protect the world's natural resources. But why should you care? Well, national parks are a great way to see amazing wildlife, enjoy nature, and get away from it all. So let's explore some of Europe's best-kept secrets!
National parks of Europe
There are many national parks in Europe. The European Union has a policy of protecting natural areas, and this has led to the creation of several national parks across the continent. National parks are important for preserving biodiversity, cultural heritage and landscape. They also play an important role in tourism: people visit them because they want to enjoy nature without having to travel far away from home (or even leave their city!).
1. Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)
Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in central Croatia, about halfway between Zagreb and Split. The park consists of 16 lakes connected by waterfalls and caves. It's one of the most popular national parks in Europe, thanks to its natural beauty and easy access from major cities like Zagreb or Split.
Plitvice Lakes National Park has been protected since 1949; however, it wasn't until 1949 that visitors were allowed inside the park itself due to its sensitive ecosystem (and because it was part of Yugoslavia at the time). Today there are many different options for hiking trails throughout Plitvice Lakes National Park--you can choose between short loops or longer routes depending on how much time you have available!
2. Krka National Park (Croatia)
Krka National Park is located in central Dalmatia, Croatia. It's home to a series of waterfalls that cascade through limestone cliffs and forests of beech trees. The park also has many archaeological sites from the ancient Greek colony of Illyria, including fortresses, temples and monasteries.
The best way to explore Krka National Park is by taking a boat tour along its canals and lakes; most companies offer half-day or full-day tours from Split or Sibenik (the closest cities). If you're traveling on your own, it's easy enough to rent a car or taxi at either city center for about $40 USD per day--but keep in mind that many roads are unpaved so be prepared for some bumps!
There are several different trails within the park itself: if you want something more challenging than just walking around looking at things then try one of these hikes instead: "Krka Waterfalls Trail" - This trail follows an old road along which there are many viewpoints overlooking beautiful panoramas as well as access points where visitors can take photos near cascades themselves! This trail lasts approximately two hours depending upon how far along it goes before returning back again which makes it perfect even when short on time since most tourists don't want spend more than 3 hours total visiting any one place anyway."
3. Kornati National Park (Croatia)
The Kornati Islands are an archipelago of over 130 islands, and they make up one of the most important bird sanctuaries in Europe. The national park was established in 1983 to protect this natural wonderland from degradation by humans and has been successful at doing so. The most notable resident is probably the white-tailed eagle--a rare species that was once extinct but has since returned to its ancestral home thanks to conservation efforts.
4. Krkonoše National Park (Czech Republic)
Krkonoše National Park is a national park in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1932, making it the oldest national park in the country. The park covers 1,719 square kilometres (650 sq mi).
5. Julian Alps - Mount Triglav National Park (Slovenia, Italy)
The Julian Alps are a mountain range in the southern part of the Alps. The highest peak is Mount Triglav at an elevation of 2,864 meters above sea level, which makes it Slovenia's highest point and also one of Europe's most iconic mountains. The country itself is quite small in comparison to its neighbors--just 20% larger than New York City--but has plenty to offer visitors: from medieval castles and monasteries to lush green valleys dotted with red tiled roofs, Slovenia has plenty for travelers who want something more than just another beach vacation.
Slovenia also has many national parks that protect its natural beauty from development and pollution by keeping them preserved for future generations to enjoy as well as preserving biodiversity through strict rules about what activities can take place within their borders (for example: no digging holes).
6. Altindere Valley National Park (Turkey)
Altindere Valley National Park is a national park in Turkey, located in the Altindere district of Eskisehir Province. It was established on January 1, 1973 and covers an area of 1534 hectares (3700 acres). The park's forests are home to numerous species of birds such as black stork and golden oriole; mammals include wild boar and gray wolf while reptiles include vipera ammodytes (viper), lygus lineolaris (plant bug) etc..
Altindere Valley National Park is also famous for its historical sites such as the tombstones belonging to Ottoman era during which time this region was part of Ottoman Empire; these were built by soldiers who died during war against Austrian Empire.
7. Doñana Natural Park (Spain and Portugal)
Doñana Natural Park is a protected area in the southeast of Spain and southwest of Portugal. It covers a total area of about 8,000 square kilometers (3,100 sq mi), making it one of Europe's largest protected areas. The park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994 because it is home to many endangered species such as the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), which has been reintroduced there since 1975. The park also includes important wetlands that are part of an international network known as Ramsar Convention sites--places where waterbirds can find food and rest during migration periods between their breeding grounds and wintering grounds.
We hope this article has inspired you to explore Europe's national parks. They are a great way to experience the natural beauty of the continent and learn more about its history and culture. If we missed any of your favorites, please let us know in the comments below!