The 100-year anniversary of Europe’s
national parks culminates on 9 September, 2009, as Sweden’s first marine national
park will be opened on the west coast close to Norway. On the other side of the
national border, Norway will celebrate the new Ytre Hvaler National Park -
also a marine protected area. The festivities will be participated by King Carl
Gustav of Sweden and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.
Kosterhavet - marine protection and tourism hand in hand
The marine nature of the Kosterhavet National Park is richest in Sweden. The
location of Kosterhavet on the brink of an open ocean results in very special
natural features. Of the six thousand marine species within the park, some two
hundred are to be found only here. The area of 390 sq. km that is covered by the
park is in state ownership. Only nearly 9 sq. km are treeless, shallow-lying
islands. Kosterhavet is the 29th national park in Sweden. It is inhabited by one
thousand people, but the surroundings include nearly 24,000 inhabitants. Tourism
is the major source of income in this area which is visited by more than 90,000
tourists every year.
- Sweden’s
national parks (www.naturvardsverket.se)
Ytre Hvaler National Park - coral reefs and recreation north of
Kosterhavet
Extensive coral reefs, diverse and threatened marine nature and frequent
recreational use were the main reasons for the protection of the Hvaler
Archipelago at the outermost part of Oslo Fjord. The Ytre Hvaler National Park
covers 354 sq. km of which only 14 sq. km is land. Ytre Hvaler is 38th national
park in Norway. Next to state-owned areas, the park also includes land in other
ownership.
Ytre Hvaler National
Park (only in
Norwegian) (www.ytre-hvaler.no)
- Norway’s National Parks (only in Norwegian) (www.dirnat.no)
Mols Bjerge cultural heritage in Denmark’s second national park
On August 29, 2009, the National Park of Mols Bjerge was opened in the
presence of Queen Margarethe in the Jutland regions of Denmark. The unique
cultural landscape and geology with diverse nature offer nature tourists many
pleasant experiences along the southern coast of Jutland. The national parks
included plenty of cultural heritage from ancient relics and manor houses to old
merchant towns. The national park is looked at as a locomotive in local
development.
Mols
Bjerge National Park (nationalparker.skovognatur.dk)
- Denmark’s
National Parks (nationalparker.skovognatur.dk)
Europe’s oldest national parks in Sweden
The first national parks in Europe were established in Sweden on 24 May,
1909. These national parks were Abisko, Garphyttan, Gotska Sandön, Hamra,
Pieljekaise, Sarek, Stora Sjöfallet, Sånfjället and Ängsö. Of these, the tiny
Ängsö in Stockholm Archipelago was the very first of the nine parks. To
celebrate the 100-year-old national parks, Sweden has announced 2009 as Year of
Nature (Naturens År).
- Naturens År
2009 (www.naturensar.se)
Finland has 35 national parks at the moment, the first ones having been
established in 1938. All of Finland’s national parks are managed by
Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services.
