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. 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. Volcanoes 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. 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.