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1 of 12Krkonoše National Park, Czech Republic. This park covers 164 square miles of mountains between the Czech Republic and Poland. It contains the highest mountains north of the Alps in Europe.Tomas Sereda—iStockphoto/Getty Images -
2 of 12An oratory at the crossroads of Sameon and Rumegies, Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park, France. This park in northern France, bordering Belgium, covers over 43,000 hectares between the Scarpe and Escaut rivers.Andia/UIG/Getty Images -
3 of 12High Tauern National Park, Austria. The largest nature reserve in the Alps, this park is home to Alpine ibex, golden eagles, and even the formerly extinct, bearded vulture.Dave Long—Vetta/Getty Images -
4 of 12Vercors Massif, Vercors Regional Natural Park, France. This park contains the French Western Alps and covers 135,000 hectares. The limestone cliffs here are dotted with caves and were a base for the French Resistance during WWII.Andia/UIG/Getty Images -
5 of 12Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, France. Covering 82000 hectares, this is one of the most protected areas in all of Europe. Found on the southern coast of France, it contains wetlands, a lagoon, and a marine area.Gerard Sioen—Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images -
6 of 12Cerdacul Stanciului cave, Piatra Craiului National Park, Romania. This park, whose name translate to "prince's stone", contains the southern Carpathian mountains. Bordered by glacial lakes, water has carved out a series of caves into the rock.Cucu Remus—iStockphoto/Getty Images -
7 of 12Skradinski buk, Krka National Park, Croatia. Encompassing 10900 hectares surrounding the Krka River, this park is home to 10 endemic fish species and is one of the most ornithologically valuable regions in Europe.Tuomas Lehtinen—Getty Images -
8 of 12Altai mountains, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, Russia. This 630,000 hectare park on the border of Russia and China contains freshwater lakes, 34 glaciers, and several waterfalls.Anton Petrus—Getty Images -
9 of 12Šumava National Park, Czech Republic. This park along the border of Germany is home to the most extensive forest in central Europe, giving it the nickname "The Green Roof of Europe".Rudolf Vlcek—Getty Images -
10 of 12La Gomera, Garajonay National Park, Spain. The massive rock structures that characterize this park in the Canary Islands are extinct volcanoes, shaped by erosion.Miguel Palacios—Cover/Getty Images -
11 of 12Muddus National Park, Sweden. This park in the Lapland province of northern Sweden is home to old-growth forests, bogs, ravines, and Sweden's oldest known pine tree.Sven Zacek—Getty Images -
12 of 12Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, Finland. Located in the Lapland region of Finland, most of this park consists of primeval forests. It contains the Hetta-Pallas, Finalnd's oldest hiking trail. On dark nights, the northern lights can be seen.Emmanuel Berthier—Hemis.fr/Getty Images
Tuesday is the European Day of Parks, created to celebrate the region’s protected natural areas. This year’s theme is “A Taste of Nature.” Twenty-three countries are participating, hosting over 300 events, from cooking classes to hiking excursions.
EUROPARC, which has organized the day since 1999, works to “improve the management of Protected Areas in Europe through international cooperation, exchange of ideas and experience, and by influencing policy.”
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