National parks are protected areas of natural, semi-natural, or developed land chosen for their significant natural, historical, or cultural value. Governments establish national parks to conserve 'wild nature' for future generations and as a source of national pride. While criteria for designation vary, national parks generally prioritize conservation and public access. Management typically falls under national governments, but can also be handled by sub-national entities depending on the country's governmental structure.
1909: Establishment of Europe's First National Parks
The first national parks in Europe, a set of nine parks, were established in Sweden in 1909, marking an important step in European conservation efforts.
May 19, 1911: Establishment of Parks Canada
On May 19, 1911, Parks Canada was established, marking a significant milestone as the world's oldest national park service.
1914: Establishment of Swiss National Park
Following the establishment of the first national parks in Sweden, Switzerland established the Swiss National Park in 1914.
August 1916: Establishment of the U.S. National Park Service
The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) was established in August 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act into law, providing a centralized agency to oversee national parks and monuments.
1916: Evolution of Park Ranger Responsibilities
The role of park rangers in the United States has evolved since the creation of the National Park Service in 1916. While initially focused on resource custodianship, their duties have expanded to encompass law enforcement, visitor management, and interpretation.
1926: Establishment of Kruger National Park
South Africa designated Kruger National Park as its first national park in 1926, expanding the earlier Sabie Game Reserve established in 1898.
1934: Creation of Nahuel Huapi National Park
Argentina became the third country in the Americas to establish a national park system with the creation of Nahuel Huapi National Park in 1934, thanks to the initiative of Francisco Moreno.
1951: Establishment of Peak District National Park
In 1951, after approximately 70 years of advocating for greater public access to the landscape, the United Kingdom established its first national park, Peak District National Park.
1963: Creation of Vanoise National Park
Following public mobilization against a tourism project, France established its first national park, Vanoise National Park, in the Alps in 1963.
1969: IUCN's Initial Definition of National Park
The IUCN provided an initial definition of a national park in 1969, characterizing it as a relatively large area intended to preserve the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations.
1971: Expansion of IUCN's National Park Criteria
In 1971, the IUCN expanded upon its 1969 criteria, providing more clear and defined benchmarks for evaluating a national park.
1971: Designation of Lahemaa National Park
Lahemaa National Park in Estonia became the first area designated as a national park in the former Soviet Union in 1971.
1973: Classification of Mount Kilimanjaro as a National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro was designated as a National Park in 1973, and public access was granted in 1977.
1974: Establishment of Northeast Greenland National Park
The world's largest national park, Northeast Greenland National Park, was established in 1974. The park spans a massive 972,000 square kilometers (375,000 square miles).
1985: Start of Tourism Increase in Costa Rican National Parks
From 1985 onward, national parks, particularly in biodiverse regions like Costa Rica, experienced a significant surge in tourism, indicating the growing appeal of nature-based travel.
1989: Creation of Qomolangma National Nature Preserve
The Qomolangma National Nature Preserve (QNNP) was established in 1989 to protect 3.381 million hectares on the north slope of Mount Everest in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. As the first major global park without separate warden and protection staff, the QNNP set a precedent for cost-effective conservation.
1993: Establishment of Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
Jamaica established the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park in 1993 to protect 41,198 hectares of land, including tropical montane rainforest.
1999: Significant Tourism Growth in Costa Rican National Parks
By 1999, tourism to national parks in Costa Rica had increased by an impressive 400% compared to 1985, demonstrating the growing popularity of these protected areas.
2006: IUCN Definition of National Parks
In 2006, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) defined "National Park" as its Category II type of protected areas. The IUCN reported that 6,555 national parks worldwide met its criteria.
2010: Growth of National Parks in Europe
By 2010, Europe had established a significant number of national parks, with approximately 359 parks across the continent.
2015: UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation
The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park in Jamaica received recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.