Sabtu, 30 November 2013

Masterpieces of the Natural World


Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia
One of Africa’s largest and oldest protected areas, the Namib-Naukluft National Park covers an area of almost 50,000 square km and protects some of the most varied and extraordinary ecosystems in Namibia; the only country in the world named after its desert!  
On this grand scale, the Namib-Naukluft provides  sanctuary to large mammals including the black rhino— which was re-introduced to their former range in 2007 to mark the park’s centenary, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, leopard and cheetah. A stunning study in contrast and extremes, the park provides something for every adventurous appetite to explore. Hike the rugged gorges and paths in the formidable Naukluft mountain massif or test yourself and your vehicle on the two-day, 73 km 4x4 trail. 
Photograph some of the planet’s oldest and most peculiar plants on the Welwitschia Trail. Explore the Sesriem Canyon. Go birding at Sandwich Harbor, home to up to 50,000 wetland birds including spectacular flocks of Greater and Lesser flamingos. Feel transported to another realm by the vast and inimical gravel plains of the aptly named Moonscape.
Explore the isolated mountains that are sprinkled liberally throughout the park, search for unexpected botanical treasures, and be rewarded by an inspiring views of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The park is managed as a wilderness area, and there are no resorts, only serviced camping sites at Sesriem and Naukluft and a number of rudimentary camping sites in the Namib section. There are, however, a large number of private accommodations just outside the park.

Banff National Park, Canada
Nestled amongst the peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is known as a traveler’s mecca for a good reason. Whether by car, bicycle, hiking boots, skis, snowshoes or canoe, in Banff National Park you can enjoy the 6,641 square km mountainous landscape year round.
As the first national park established in Canada and a coveted UNESCO World Heritage Site, what makes Banff National Park so special is its combination of vast unspoiled wilderness, mountain lakes like Lake Louise. Banff offers a choice of accommodation, restaurants, boutique shops and activities to make your trip a memorable one. The history of this mountain town is also well preserved at a number of museums and heritage sites, while new memories are created throughout the year at world-class festivals and events.
The allure of Banff is also its close proximity to the park’s incredible attractions and best-kept wilderness secrets. With 1600 kilometres of trails, two gondolas, three ski areas, an exciting heritage and more dining options and activities than you have time for, Banff National Park is a premier destination for authentic hospitality and outdoor exploration.

Mungo National Park, Australia
Mungo is one of the most important places in Australia for studying both natual and cultural history. Wander the sands of time in ancient Mungo National Park at the heart of NSW's Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area.
This extraordinary place is of great significance to the Ngyiampaa, Mutthi Mutthi and Southern Paakantyi people, whose connection with the land reaches back more than 40,000 years. Remarkable archaeological finds like Mungo Man (the world’s oldest human cremation), Mungo Woman, and human footprints dating back to the last ice age tell an incredible story about the long history of Australian Aboriginal people.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is an American classic and undoubtedly the biggest 'kick' on Route 66. The Grand Canyon's endless vistas of gorges and chasms are a favourite locale for geologists: the delicate history of the earth is locked in these myriad shelves of colorful rocks. Those who descend into the wide earthen scars will uncover a semi-arid terrain punctuated by hundreds of secret grottos. At the canyon's ultimate depth (1800m) the planet's prehistoric landscape is revealed. 
Nearly five million people travel here each year; 90 percent first see the canyon from the South Rim with its dramatic views into the deep inner gorge of the Colorado River. So many feet have stepped cautiously to the edge of major overlooks that in places the rock has been polished smooth. But most of the park's 1,904 square miles are maintained as wilderness. You can avoid crowds by hiking the park's many trails or driving to the cool evergreen forests of the North Rim where people are fewer and viewing is more leisurely. The Grand Canyon boasts some of the nation's cleanest air, with visibility on clear days averaging 90 to 110 miles.
It's hard to look at the canyon and not be curious about geology. Rock that dates back 1.8 billion years lies at the bottom. Exactly how the river formed the canyon is still unclear, but geologists generally agree that most of the cutting occurred within the last five million years.

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Khao Sok National Park in Southern Thailand is an amazing place. It is covered by the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world, huge limestone mountains shooting straight up in the air, deep valleys, breathtaking lakes, exciting caves, wild animals and much more.
Khao Sok is perfectly situated on the mainland between Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak and Koh Samui, the most popular destinations in southern Thailand. It is a fantastic place to go on vacation. Elephant trekking, trekking on foot, canoeing and jeep safaris are all possible activities, which will give you the experience of a lifetime. We also recommend tours to visit various locations in Khao Sok. One of the most interesting areas is stunningly beautiful Cheow Larn Lake in the heart of the National Park with its floating raft houses and luxury tents.

Northeast Greenland National Park, Greenland
In an age affected by pollution and threatened by melting icecaps, Greenland's national park proves that the planet's glaciers haven't disappeared just yet. The biggest national park in the world, measuring roughly twice the size of France, is an unspoiled hinterland home to the polar bears and walruses that cavort between crystalline icebergs. The tiny town of Ittoqqortoormiit is the unofficial gateway into the silent, frigid kingdom. For now, visitors are limited to surveying scientists and extreme adventurers

Iguazu Falls National Park, Argentina-Brazil
Home to a series of chutes so beloved that two nations have claimed them, Iguazu Falls National Park is a photographer's dream. A fault line near the junction of the Parana and Iguazu Rivers is responsible for the shift in depths causing the river water to careen over a cliff in a dramatic fashion. But the park features far more than the oft-visited waterfalls - the subtropical forests, which provide the cascades with a lush backdrop, are home to over 450 species of bird and uncountable rare butterflies.

Saba Marine National Park, Netherlands Antilles
The Saba National Marine Park encompasses the waters and sea bed encircling the Caribbean island of Saba, Netherlands, from the high water mark to 200 feet (60 meters) deep. In total, the marine park covers approximately 5 square miles (13 km2). At the time of its creation in 1987, the government passed the Marine Environment Ordinance to protect the coral reefs and other marine life within the park.
The Saba Conservation Foundation manages the Saba National Marine Park, as well as the island's hyperbaric facility and natural sites on land.  A number of regulations ensure that the park's thriving aquatic life remains healthy. Zones divide the area according to acceptable uses. Commercial fishing is forbidden in certain places to prevent overfishing. The reefs are protected from damage by 36 permanently anchored buoys where boats can moor. Scuba divers are only allowed to dive with guides from one of Saba's three dive shops.
Protecting the Saba National Marine Park is not only an environmental consideration; it is also an economic concern. Tourism currently brings in more money to the island than any other industry, and the Saba National Marine Park is the biggest tourist draw. Many different species inhabit Saba National Marine Park. Soft corals abound. Hard corals live only in the waters on the island's east side. Types of fish found in the park include parrotfish, Atlantic blue tang, black durgon, and barracuda also make this park their home.

Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
Tongariro is New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage Site. The Tongariro National Park is rich in both cultural identity and dramatic, awe-inspiring natural scenery. Unique landforms, including the volcanic peaks of Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu ensure the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is considered a world-renowned trek.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is heralded as the best one-day trek available in New Zealand, while others say it ranks among the top ten single-day treks in the world.

Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Island
The top 10 masterpieces of natural world will be incomplete without this old national park - Darwin's legendary stomping ground. The far-flung archipelago, a testament to evolutionary theory, features 19 large islands formed by soaring volcanoes. Each land mass hosts a different batch of critters, from the gentle leather-faced tortoises that trudge along braids of hardened lava, to the curious blue-footed boobies that peck at sunbathing iguanas. Although tour boats regularly putt around the park, the semi-stringent environmental regulations (important because of the impact of tourism) have ensured that there's still plenty of space to live out your Robinson Crusoe fantasies.

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