Swiss National Park

Swiss National Park
Swiss National Park
	Parc Naziunal Svizzer
	IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)[1]
Nearest city	Zernez
Coordinates	46°40′N 10°12′E
Area	172.3 km2 (66.5 sq mi)
Established	1 August 1914

The Swiss National Park (Romansh: Parc Naziunal Svizzer; German: Schweizerischer Nationalpark; Italian: Parco Nazionale Svizzero; French: Parc National Suisse) 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.[2]

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.[3] It has an area of 174.2 km² and is the largest protected area of the country.

In the park, it's not allowed to: leave marked paths, light a fire or sleep outside the Chamanna Cluozza; the mountain hut located in the park. It is also forbidden to disturb animals or plants, or to take home anything found in the park. Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash. Due to these strict rules, the Swiss National Park is the only park in the Alps which has been categorized by the IUCN as a strict nature reserve, 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.[4]

Notable peaks

Piz Pisoc, 3173 m.
Piz Quattervals, 3165 m.
Piz da l'Acqua, 3126 m.
Piz Chaschauna, 3071 m.

Gallery

References

"Schweizerischer Nationalpark". Protected Planet. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
Parc Suisse Biosphere Reserve
Pioneer nature park marks centenary
Overview of the Swiss parks, Federal Office for the Environment (page visited on 27 July 2016).

External links

Official website
Swiss National Park Facts
Martin Bundi: Swiss National Park in Romansh, German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
Stephanie Summermatter: Protection of nature in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.

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[1] "Schweizerischer Nationalpark". Protected Planet. Retrieved 30 December 2018.

[2] Parc Suisse Biosphere Reserve

[3] Pioneer nature park marks centenary

[4] Overview of the Swiss parks, Federal Office for the Environment (page visited on 27 July 2016).