Swiss National Park

Swiss National Park
Parc Naziunal Svizzer
Nearest city Zernez
Coordinates 46°40′N 10°12′E / 46.667°N 10.200°E / 46.667; 10.200Coordinates: 46°40′N 10°12′E / 46.667°N 10.200°E / 46.667; 10.200
Area 172.3 km²
Established 1 August 1914

The Swiss National Park (German: Schweizerischer Nationalpark; French: Parc National Suisse; Italian: Parco Nazionale Svizzero; Romansh: Parc Naziunal Svizzer) is located in the Western Rhaetian Alps, in eastern Switzerland. It is within the canton of Graubünden, between Zernez, S-chanf, Scuol, and the Fuorn Pass in the Engadin valley on the border with Italy.

It is part of the worldwide UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.[1]

Description

It was founded on 1 August 1914, the national holiday of Switzerland. It was one of the earliest national parks in Europe.

As of 2009, it is the only National Park in Switzerland, though there are plans to create more.[2] It has an area of 174.2 km² and is the largest protected area of the country.

In the park, one is not allowed to leave marked paths, make fire or sleep outside the Chamanna Cluozza; the mountain hut located in the park. It is also forbidden to disturb the animals or the plants, or to take home anything found in the park. Dogs are not allowed, not even on a leash. Due to these strict rules, the Swiss National Park is the only park in the Alps who has been categorized by the IUCN as a strict nature reserve, which is the highest protection level.

A visitor centre is located in Zernez. The road through the park leads over the Fuorn Pass (or Ofenpass) to South Tyrol in Italy.

In addition to the Swiss National Park, Switzerland also has sixteen regional nature parks.[3]

Notable peaks

See also

References

  1. ↑ Parc Suisse Biosphere Reserve
  2. ↑ Pioneer nature park marks centenary
  3. ↑ Overview of the Swiss parks, Federal Office for the Environment (page visited on 27 July 2016).
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