List of national parks of Sweden

National parks of Sweden are managed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Swedish: Naturvårdsverket) and owned by the state. The goal of the national park service is to create a system of protected areas that represent all the distinct natural regions of the country.[1] In 1909, Sweden became the first country in Europe to establish such parks when nine were opened following the Riksdag passing of a law on national parks that year. This was followed by the establishment of seven parks between 1918 and 1962 and thirteen between 1982 and 2009, with the latest being Kosterhavet National Park.[1] There are currently 29 national parks in Sweden, comprising a total area of 731,589 hectares (1,807,796 acres);[2] six more are scheduled to open by 2013.[3]

According to the EPA, Swedish national parks must represent unique landscape types and be effectively protected and used for research, recreation, and tourism without damaging nature.[4] Mountain terrain dominates approximatively 90% of the parks' combined area. The reason for this is the extensive mountain areas taken up by the large northern parks—Sarek National Park and Padjelanta National Park each cover approximately 200,000 hectares (490,000 acres).[5][6] Many of the northern parks are part of the Laponian area, one of Sweden's UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its preserved natural landscape and habitat for the native reindeer-herding Sami people.[7] The southernmost parks—Söderåsen National Park, Dalby Söderskog National Park and Stenshuvud National Park—are covered with broadleaf forest and together cover approximately 2,000 ha (4,942 acres).[8][9][10] Fulufjället National Park is part of PAN Parks,[11] a network founded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to provide better long-term conservation and tourism management of European national parks.[12]

National parks

A large number of irregularly shaped bodies of water separated by stretches of green vegetation and bordered by grey rocks at the bottom.
A river delta near Sarek National Park
Mountain with two main peaks, composed of dark rock with traces of snow on the sides, against a bright blue sky. In the foreground, a stream cuts through grassland.
Pierikpakte Mountain, part of Sarek National Park
Small stream surrounded by trees
Skäralid River, part of Söderåsen National Park
A river flowing into a lake, snowy mountains in the background.
Abisko National Park was established in 1909.
A hilly, green landscape with a grey tree growing on the left, snow-capped mountains in the background, and a blue sky above with white clouds.
Stream just over the tree line in Stora Sjöfallet National Park.
A wooden path leading through a green forest with many deciduous trees on either side and a white sky peeking through their leaves.
The forest in Dalby Söderskog National Park
A grey-blue body of water separating smooth, large, light-coloured rocks in the foreground and a hazy green hill in the background, all under a blue sky with white clouds.
The hill Stenshuvud in Stenshuvud National Park
Shoreline with narrow rocky beach and then scrub vegetation
Gotska Sandön National Park is one of Sweden's oldest national parks.
  This along with * indicates that the national park is part of a World Heritage Site
  This along with ** indicates that the national park is a Protected Area Network Park
Name Location[13] Area[13] Established[13] Description
Abisko National Park Norrbotten County 7,700 ha (19,027 acres) 1909 The park is composed of valleys framed by mountain ranges in the south and west and Scandinavia's largest alpine lake, Torneträsk, in the north.[14]
Ängsö National Park Stockholm County 168 ha (415 acres) 1909 Ängsö is an island in the Stockholm archipelago. The park is known for its "ancient farm landscape in the archipelago environment, the spring flowers, and the varied bird life".[15]
Björnlandet National Park Västerbotten County 1,100 ha (2,718 acres) 1991 Björnlandet's geography is distinguished by its large virgin forest and mountain terrain with steep ravines and cliffs. The park features traces of several forest fires.[16]
Blå Jungfrun National Park Kalmar County 198 ha (489 acres) 1926 Blå Jungfrun is an island in the Baltic Sea dominated by clefts and hollows in the north and forest in the south.[17]
Dalby Söderskog National Park Skåne County 36 ha (89 acres) 1918 Deciduous forest surrounded by a 56-metre-wide (184 ft) earth bank that takes up a large part of the park.[9]
Djurö National Park Västra Götaland County 2,400 ha (5,931 acres) 1991 Djurö National Park consists of an archipelago with about 30 islands in Sweden's biggest lake, Vänern.[18]
Färnebofjärden National Park Dalarna, Gävleborg, Uppsala, and Västmanland counties 10,100 ha (24,958 acres) 1998 Dalälven River passes through the park and the uneven shoreline encloses over 200 islands and islets.[19]
Fulufjället National Park** Dalarna County 38,500 ha (95,136 acres) 2002 The park consists mainly of bare mountain heights, and heaths that are unique in the Swedish mountains.[11]
Garphyttan National Park Örebro County 111 ha (274 acres) 1909 Garphyttan National Park consists of landscape altered by humans through agriculture and forestry, such as meadows and deciduous forest.[20]
Gotska Sandön National Park Gotland County 4,490 ha (11,095 acres) 1909 Gotska Sandön is an island composed of sand. Its scenery is dominated by beaches, dunes, and pine forests.[21]
Hamra National Park Gävleborg County 28 ha (69 acres) 1909 Hamra National Park contains two low moraine hills covered with virgin forest and large rock boulders.[22]
Haparanda Archipelago National Park Norrbotten County 6,000 ha (14,826 acres) 1995 Located in the northern part of the Gulf of Bothnia, the park is composed of low islands with wide sandy beaches.[23]
Kosterhavet National Park Västra Götaland County 38,878 ha (96,070 acres) 2009 Kosterhavet National Park is the first national marine park of Sweden and was inaugurated in September 2009. It consists of the sea and shores around the Koster Islands, however excluding the islands themselves.[24][25][26][27]
Muddus National Park* Norrbotten County 49,340 ha (121,922 acres) 1942 Muddus National Park is home of deep ravines and primeval forests. Sweden's oldest pine tree is located in the park.[28]
Norra Kvill National Park Kalmar County 114 ha (282 acres) 1927 Norra Kvill is an ancient forest with tall pine trees that are over 350 years old. Three lakes are situated in the park: Stora Idegölen, Lilla Idegölen and Dalskärret.[29]
Padjelanta National Park* Norrbotten County 198,400 ha (490,257 acres) 1962 The park, which borders Norway in the west, is primarily composed of a flat and open landscape that surrounds the two lakes Vastenjávrre and Virihávrre.[6]
Pieljekaise National Park Norrbotten County 15,340 ha (37,906 acres) 1909 Pieljekaise National Park is composed of birch forest, mountain terrain, and several lakes. The park is named after Pieljekaise Mountain, a landmark in the area.[30]
Sånfjället National Park Jämtland County 10,300 ha (25,452 acres) 1909 The park is named after the 1,278-metre-high (4,193 ft) mountain Sånfjället. The mountainous area is intersected by streaming lakes and a forest area.[31]
Sarek National Park* Norrbotten County 197,000 ha (486,798 acres) 1909 The park features an alpine landscape with high peaks and narrow valleys. More than 100 glaciers are found in the park, and several mountains are over 2,000 m (6,600 ft) high.[5]
Skuleskogen National Park* Västernorrland County 2,360 ha (5,832 acres) 1984 Skuleskogen National Park is composed of ancient forest, high mountains, and sea coast. The mountain peaks are covered with pine forest and are separated by valleys formed by the sea and ice sheets.[32]
Söderåsen National Park Skåne County 1,625 ha (4,015 acres) 2001 The park features an especially contoured landscape with up to 90-metre-deep (300 ft) ravines. The valleys are covered with broadleaf forest, mostly beech.[8]
Stenshuvud National Park Skåne County 390 ha (964 acres) 1986 Stenshuvud is a hill that faces the Baltic Sea. Because the surrounding landscape is relatively flat, it can be seen from a great distance and has been used by seafarers as an aid to navigation at sea. Most of the area is covered with broadleaf forest.[10]
Stora Sjöfallet National Park* Norrbotten County 127,800 ha (315,801 acres) 1909 The park's northern portions lie in the Scandinavian Mountains, home to some of Sweden's highest peaks. The lower hills in the park's southern part are covered with forest.[33]
Store Mosse National Park Jönköping County 7,850 ha (19,398 acres) 1989 Store Mosse National Park is the home of the largest bog area in southern Sweden. The lake Kävsjön, containing many species of birds, is located within the park.[34]
Tiveden National Park Örebro County and Västra Götaland counties 1,350 ha (3,336 acres) 1983 Tiveden National Park is a part of the large Tiveden forest. The park is situated in the most inaccessible part of the forest. The landscape is mountainous and stony.[35]
Töfsingdalen National Park Dalarna County 1,615 ha (3,991 acres) 1930 Töfsingdalen National Park consists of two mountain ridges separated by a valley covered with fields and virgin forest.[36]
Tresticklan National Park Västra Götaland County 2,897 ha (7,159 acres) 1996 This park contains a rift valley landscape and is one of the few remaining areas of pristine forest in southern Scandinavia.[37]
Tyresta National Park Stockholm County 2,000 ha (4,942 acres) 1993 Tyresta is a gorge landscape with stony slopes. The park, covered with pine forest, is one of the largest virgin forests in Sweden.[38]
Vadvetjåkka National Park Norrbotten County 2,630 ha (6,499 acres) 1920 Located in a mountain region north-west of Lake Torneträsk, Vadvetjåkka National Park is the northernmost national park in Sweden. The park is named after Vadvetjåkka Mountain, which is located within the park.[39]

Future national parks

Bright light shining through dark grey clouds in a dark blue sky onto a hilly, green landscape with black mountains in the background.
Sweden's highest mountain Kebnekaise will be part of a national park sometime between 2009 and 2013.
Mountain range composed of dark rock with traces of snow on the sides, against a cloudy blue sky.
The Sylan mountain range will be part of the Vålådalen-Sylarna National Park.

In 2008, after investigations and interviews with the participating counties, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency laid down a plan to establish 13 new national parks in the near future. According to the plan, seven of the parks will be established between 2009 and 2013, the first being Kosterhavet National Park which was inaugurated in September 2009. It is currently unknown when the six remaining parks will be established.[3]

Name Location[40] Area[40] Date of establishment[40]
Bästeträsk National Park Gotland County 5,000 ha (12,355 acres) 2009–2013
Blaikfjället National Park Västerbotten County 40,000 ha (98,842 acres) 2009–2013
Kebnekaise National Park Norrbotten County 65,000 ha (160,618 acres) 2009–2013
Tavvavuoma National Park Norrbotten County 40,000 ha (98,842 acres) 2009–2013
Vålådalen-Sylarna National Park Jämtland County 230,000 ha (568,342 acres) 2009–2013
Västra Åsnen National Park Kronoberg County 2,000 ha (4,942 acres) 2009–2013
Nämdöskärgården National Park Stockholm County 14,000 ha (34,595 acres) TBA
Koppången National Park Dalarna County 5,000 ha (12,355 acres) TBA
Reivo National Park Norrbotten County 11,000 ha (27,182 acres) TBA
Rogen-Juttulslätten National Park Dalarna County and Jämtland County 100,000 ha (247,105 acres) TBA
Sankt Anna National Park Östergötland County 10,000 ha (24,711 acres) TBA
Vindelfjällen National Park Västerbotten County 550,000 ha (1,359,080 acres) TBA

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "National parks and other ways to protect nature". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  2. ↑ "Nationalparker" (in Swedish). Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  3. 1 2 "Ny nationalparksplan för Sverige" (in Swedish). Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  4. ↑ "Fakta om nationalparker" (in Swedish). Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  5. 1 2 "Sarek National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  6. 1 2 "Padjelanta National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  7. ↑ "Laponian Area". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  8. 1 2 "Söderåsen National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  9. 1 2 "Dalby Söderskog National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  10. 1 2 "Stenshuvud National Park". Naturvårdsverket Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  11. 1 2 "Fulufjället National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  12. ↑ "Vision". PAN Parks. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
  13. 1 2 3 "National Parks in Sweden". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  14. ↑ "Abisko National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  15. ↑ "Ängsö National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  16. ↑ "Björnlandet National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  17. ↑ "Blå Jungfrun National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  18. ↑ "Djurö National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  19. ↑ "Färnebofjärden National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  20. ↑ "Garphyttan National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  21. ↑ "Gotska Sandön National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  22. ↑ "Hamra National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  23. ↑ "Haparanda Archipelago National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  24. ↑ "Kosterhavets webbplats" [Website of the Kosterhavet Marine National Park] (in Swedish). Västra Götaland County Administrative Board. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
  25. ↑ "Kosterhavet blir Sveriges första marina nationalpark" (in Swedish). Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Archived from the original on 2009-03-30. Retrieved 2009-06-26.
  26. ↑ "Sveriges första marina nationalpark". Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
  27. ↑ "Kosterhavet National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  28. ↑ "Muddus National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  29. ↑ "Norra Kvill National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  30. ↑ "Pieljekaise National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  31. ↑ "Sånfjället National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  32. ↑ "Skuleskogen National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  33. ↑ "Stora Sjöfallet National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  34. ↑ "Store Mosse National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  35. ↑ "Tiveden National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  36. ↑ "Töfsingdalen National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  37. ↑ "Tresticklan National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  38. ↑ "Tyresta National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  39. ↑ "Vadvetjåkka National Park". Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  40. 1 2 3 "Förslag till nya nationalparker" (in Swedish). Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Archived from the original on 2008-12-25. Retrieved 2009-06-11.

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