Croatia has 444 protected natural areas, including 8 national parks that showcase the country's diverse geography. The document describes each of the 8 national parks: Risnjak in the mountains near the sea, Northern Velebit in the mountains known for wildlife, Paklenica in the mountains famous for caves and films, Krka along a river with beautiful waterfalls, Plitvice Lakes known for its interconnected lakes and waterfalls, Kornati an archipelago of 89 islands off the coast, Mljet a forested island in the south with Roman ruins, and Brijuni islands near Istria which were once a resort for politicians and feature a safari park. The parks offer activities like hiking, boating
2. 444
different protected
areas
Most important are 8
national parks
3 are in mountain
areas: Paklenica,
Northern Velebit,
Risnjak
2 are natural water
phenomena: the
Plitvica Lakes and the
Krka River
3 located on islands:
the Kornati Islands, the
Island of Mljet, the
Brijuni Islands
IN GENERAL:
3. Possible activities
In
the mountains - walking, hiking,
cycling, observing and photographing of
wild animals, bird watching, visiting caves,
recreational fishing and skiing, trekking
On the islands – cruises, scuba diving,
recording and photographing the
underwater world
4. RISNJAK
NP RISNJAK
Was
declared a national park in 1953.
because of its vegetation
It is a mountain only 15 km air distance
from the sea, not too far from town Rijeka
Got its name after a bobcat, lynx (ris)
5. RISNJAK
Connects
the Alps and Dinarides, Mediterranian
and Pannonia - almost all types of forests in small
area
6. NORTHERN VELEBIT
NP NORTHERN VELEBIT
Established
in 1999
The youngest of eight national parks in
Croatia
Velebit – the king of Croatian mountains
High peaks and deep caves
7. NORTHERN VELEBIT
The
park is inhabited by four species of large
predators: brown bear, bobcat, wolf and wild cat.
Many endemic botanical species like velebitska
degenija – the symbol of Velebit
9. PAKLENICA
NP PAKLENICA
was declared in1949
Paklenica is named
after pitch pine
(“paklina”)
Is also on the Velebit
mountain
The highest peak is
Vaganski vrh (1757 m)
10. PAKLENICA
There are 39 pits
and 37 caves
Was setting for
European western
films –Winnetou
was filmed there
13. KRKA
The
park has got seven beautiful waterfalls incurred
by the flow of the Krka river through limestone
surface
includes the remains of an ancient aqueduct,
military camp Burnum, old Croatian medieval
fortress from the 14th century, Franciscan monastery
on the island of Visovac.
15. THE PLITVICE LAKES
NP PLITVICA LAKES
Was
declared a national park in 1949
On the UNESCO list of World Natural
Heritage since 1979
Croatian most known national park
There are 16 little lakes connected with
waterfalls – the biggest is Prošćansko lake
17. THE PLITVICE LAKES
In
the park you can see nature preserved in original
state and learn a lot from information tables and
materials
18. THE KORNATI
NP KORNATI
was
declared a national park in 1980
Consists of 89 islands – which have
unusual forms and extraordinary relief
structure
located in central Dalmatia, south
from Zadar and west from Šibenik
19. THE KORNATI
The
first traces of human presence on the Kornati
islands date back to the Neolithic - the evidence is
the stone axe found in the field
Arrival of Croats-13th century
21. MLJET
NP MLJET
Was
declared a national park in 1960
located in South Dalmatia, west from
Dubrovnik
It is considered as most beautiful island in
the Adriatic sea because of diversity of
Mediterranean vegetation
22. MLJET
Found
remains of
a Roman Villa
Rustica and
remains of
thermal baths
Benedictine
Monastery of St.
Mary
24. BRIJUNI
NP BRIJUNI
founded
in 1983.
2 larger and 12 smaller islands along west
coast of Istria, near town Pula
Has preserved Mediterranean vegetation,
cultural heritage from Roman and
Byzantine time
before was tourist destination of world
statesman and aristokracy – summer
residence of Josip Broz Tito
25. BRIJUNI
A
special attraction of Brijuni is a safari park located
on the northern edge of the Great Brijun in a
fenced area, and was formed in 1978.
26. BRIJUNI
Possible
activities: hiking, biking, horseback riding,
electric cars, cruises, scuba diving, water sports and
recreation on the water, the underwater world, golf
and tennis.
27. Come and visit our
NATIONAL PARKS!
There
you can also play some traditional
games.