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National Parks In France

The government of France has established 10 national parks within its borders and international territories. Seven of these are located in France, and 3 are located abroad. Together, these protected parks cover an area of 1,430 square miles and 3,537 square miles of buffer area. This area represents just over 2% of the territory of France. The national parks of France provide protected areas for the country鈥檚 biodiversity and allow scientists to research the many plant and animal species found in the parks.

History Of National Parks In France

The government of France has dedicated national parks in areas with rich cultural significance, high levels of biodiversity, and unique landscapes. National parks were first created in the US in 1872 and the idea soon spread to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Europe was slower to dedicate national parks because its land had been widely developed and occupied by humans. In 1921, France created a national parks administration and began establishing protected areas in several of its colonies. However, a federal law defining national parks was not created until 1960, after years of lobbying by the Touring Club and the Alpine Club of France. This law allowed for the creation of the 7 national parks within its European borders.

Oldest National Park In France

The first legally established national park in France is the Vanoise National Park, protected in July of 1963. This park is located in the Alps mountains and covers an area of 483 square miles. It is home to over 100 bird species as well as the Alpine ibex.

Geography Of National Parks In France

The majority of the seven parks in France are located in mountainous regions. These parks have high granite peaks, glacier valleys, lakes, and alpine grasslands. Additionally, the national parks encompass various climates, including alpine, Mediterranean, and continental. They offer visitors several activities, including mountain climbing, hiking, viewing petroglyphs and architectural ruins, seeing wildlife, and skiing.

The Calanque National Park is located on the coast and includes around 170 square miles of marine area, and the Port-Cros National Park encompasses an entire Mediterranean island and some of its coastal areas. The 3 national parks located outside of Europe are Guadeloupe National Park in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, R茅union National Park on an Indian Ocean island, and Guiana Amazonian Park in the Amazon rainforest of French Guiana in South America. The geography of these parks is similar in that they are mainly covered in tropical forests.

Role Of National Parks In France

The national parks of France are important for the country鈥檚 society and biodiversity. These parks provide a place for people to come closer to nature and learn about wildlife conservation. Additionally, these areas work to preserve the environment and natural habitats of the plants and animals here, including those that are threatened and endangered. Any region with a national park also received government funding to support educational programs and scientific research. Over 7 million national and international tourists visit the national parks here every year.

Need For Additional National Parks

Because of extensive urbanization and development throughout France, many of its natural areas are at risk of being destroyed. This threat makes it imperative that the country creates more national parks to conserve its habitats and wildlife. The government is dedicated to increasing its number of national parks. In 2006, for example, it changed its constitutional definition of national parks. The new definition says that these protected areas must also strengthen relations with the local community. It also increased the size requirement. Plans are currently underway to open an 11th national park in the northeastern region of the country and a 12th national park in one of the country鈥檚 humid ecoregions.