National Parks of USA Grand Canyon National

National Parks of USA

Grand Canyon National Park It is the most famous nat. park of the USA, because of its large size and stunning scenery. There a lot of people wanting to see this place so much, that the administration must impose restrictions for tourists. There is a special route South Rim Drive for campers, which, sometimes, is closed for private transport.

It is the very first park in USA and in the world, which was established in 1872, and in 1976 this park was among the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. There about two-thirds geysers of planet and Yellowstone Caldera known as dormant supervolcano, whose frozen lava covers most of the park.

In the park are found almost 60 species of mammals, including the rare lynx, wolves and grizzly bears. From big animal there are baribal black bear, deer elk , moose, mule deer , mountain goat and puma and bison population is one of the largest in the country: there about four thousand.

Acadia National Park on the Atlantic shore – it is granite peaks , pine forests and numerous lakes. Local showplace is Mount Cadillac of pink granite , the first in the United States who meets the dawn. There around 340 species of birds , coyotes , foxes , raccoons, otters, deer and hares. In coastal waters, you can see dolphins , seals and even whales.

Yosemite National Park Corner of untouched wilderness is located just three and a half hours drive from San Francisco. Each year, it takes more than three million visitors , and they all limited by familiarity with the Yosemite Valley - and this is only a hundredth part of the whole park. All the mountain slopes , valleys , canyons and granite dome in the park were formed by glacial erosion. Surprisingly, here since the last ice age and is still growing ancient Sequoia trees.

Mount Rainer National Park Over the surrounding area of the park stands the dormant volcano Mount Rainier. Up to a height of two and a half miles of it is covered with pine forests , just above there are Alpine Meadows , at three kilometers there are glaciers and permanent snow. At the top of the volcano are 40 glaciers with a total area of 87 square kilometers.

Each year, the park is visited by about two million people for hiking, skiing or campingholiday.

Petrified Forest National Park Very unusual park. First of all, on its territory - one of the world's largest collections of petrified trees that grew on the Earth about 225 million years ago. Here were found remains of prehistoric animals and petroglyphs – it is writing on the rock of ancient people. Unusual local landscapes explorers called the " Painted Desert " - because of colored clays of the local hills.

Glacier National Park surprising by diversity of ecosystems - from prairie to tundra - and lots of animals: grizzly bears are only about 300 individuals! In the park is also inhabit moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats , North American deer, wolverines , coyotes and even puma. .

Unfortunately , the glaciers , which gave the name of the park, are on the verge of extinction : in 2010 the number of them was 27 , and by 2030, they may disappear altogether. Glacier Park is located on the border of America and Canada , where smoothly moves in Waterton Lakes National Park, and they both belong to the heritage sites by UNESCO.

Arches National Park has more than two thousand natural sandstone arches. The most famous of them - a 20 - meter high " graceful arch ", which is also called"Cowboy. Boots". In the park there are strict rules : it is forbidden to climb the natural arches and bridges, which are included in the list of protected sites. On the other facilities people can climb , but also with limitations.

Crater Lake National Park Perfectly round and deepest ( 594 meters) lake in the western hemisphere Crater Lake is located in the caldera of an exvolcano , and this lake is famous for its deep blue color and clarity of water. The edge of this " pot" is at 2 100 -2 400 meters above the sea and the lake itself - at around 1, 883 meters. In the lake you can swim, boat or boat and go fishing.

Everglades National Park The Everglades ( «eternal swamp") - swamps, grassy-saw and a swarming mosquitoes and alligators but it is the only home for living here birds ( pelicans , storks, cormorants ) and amphibians ( pachyderms turtles and alligators ). On the drier areas inhabited by rare florida puma - there about a hundred left. In the mangroves of the Gulf Coast live crabs, and sometimes sharks swim in a coastal waters.

The park has trails for pedestrians, for kayaking and canoeing ( boats are prohibited in most of the territory). Best time for visit - from December to March , when it is not so hot and less mosquitoes.