In recent centuries, the Earth's ecosystem, which has been preserved for tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years, has been destroyed due to humankind's unlimited demand for resources.
In order to protect the remaining intact ecosystems from further destruction, countries have set aside areas in the name of the state to provide sites for scientific research and environmental education, known as national parks. In this article, we will showcase some of the world's most famous national parks.
1. New Zealand Fjords National Park
One of the largest national parks in New Zealand, Fjords National Park covers an area of 12,120 square kilometers. Its unique terrain is formed by 14 huge fissures left behind by glacial action during successive ice ages. The majestic snow-capped peaks are reflected in the midnight blue glow of the ocean, which stretches deep into the park's dense forests.
2. Lake District National Park, England
Known as "the most beautiful corner of England," Lake District National Park offers stunning natural scenery and a wide range of interesting recreational facilities. It is also one of the best walking and climbing routes in England and is suitable for visitors of all ages.
3. Parque Nacional Baione, Chile
Located at the southern end of the Andes, Parque de la Baienne was once chosen by National Geographic as one of the 50 places in the world that you must visit in your lifetime. Covering an area of 2,421 square kilometers, the park is renowned for its stunning lakes, numerous glaciers, and towering granite peaks, and was listed by UNESCO as one of the world's protected ecospheres in 1978.
4. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Part of a national priority conservation area, Serengeti National Park covers 600 hectares classified as a game reserve. The entire park is one of the largest wildlife reserves in Africa, becoming a protected area in 1940 and a national park in 1951.
5. Banff National Park, Canada
Built in 1885, Banff Park has a long history and is located in the northern section of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada, and is an all-day national park. The main attractions are the national parks of Lake Louise and Monroe Lake. The park offers modern hotels, motels, and forest campsites, and the high mountain also has an aerial tramway that leads from the bottom to the top of the mountain. At the summit, visitors can see the surrounding scenery from pavilions and observation decks.
6. Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, Japan
Designated as a national park in 1936, Fuji Hakone Izu spans four regions: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Yamanashi, and Shizuoka. The park boasts two remarkable features, a volcano, and an ocean.
7. Yellowstone National Park, USA
Not only is Yellowstone National Park the world's first national park, but it's also widely regarded as one of the best. Encompassing roughly 9,000 square kilometers across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, the park is divided into five zones.
The northwest Mammoth Hot Springs area is dominated by limestone terraces, earning it the moniker Hot Terraces. The northeast Roosevelt area still preserves the Old West landscape, while the middle Canyon area offers views of Yellowstone's grand canyon and waterfalls.
The southeast Yellowstone Lakes area is characterized by its lakes and mountains, and the west and southwest Geyser areas are renowned for their unique geological wonders, such as hot springs, steam pools, hot pools, mud flats, and blowholes.
Yellowstone is home to more than half of the world's active geysers, including the world's most active geyser, the Steamboat Geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin. It's also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bison, grizzly bears, elk, and wolves.
