NATIONAL PARKS
Even in terms of European proportions, Croatia is a country of comparatively small land surface. The number of National Parks – as many as eight – may seem surprisingly great, but only to those who haven't visited them and therefore are not aware to what extent the natural heritage of our country has been preserved.
Absolutely dominant in the coastal region is the Kornati National Park, the most indented archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. With some 140 uninhabited islands and islets Kornati ia a true labyrinth of sea and rocks, famous for its high cliffs and most unusual forms of relief. The archipelago of Kornati is among the most favoured destinations for sailors.
The Paklenica National Park encompasses the southern side of Velebit, the biggest mountain massif in Croatia. The Park extends from the highest peaks down to the sea. It has been named after Velika (big) Paklenica and Mala (little) Paklenica, two impressive canyons with many caves and magnificent relief forms. Because of its abundant flora and fauna, Velebit has been proclaimed a World Biosphere Reserve and its northern part o a National Park.
The Park embraces two Nature Parks: Rožanski and Hajdučki kukovi, both known for attractive karst scenery, and the famous Lukina jama, one of the deepest sinkholes in the world. The world renowned Velebit Botanical Gardens are also located here.
The archipelago off the western coast of the Istrian peninsula consists of two large and twelve small islands. This is the Brijuni National Park and is famous for its luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation and marine fauna, a safari park and the ancient remains of a Roman Palace, Byzantine Castrum, etc.
The Risnjak National Park embraces the wooded mountains north of the city of Rijeka. Here, at the junction of the Julian Alps and the Dinara mountain, is the habitat of the brown bear, the lynx, the chamois, the red deer and the grey sea eagle.
The Krka National Park encompasses the Krka basin, the most beautiful river of the Croatian karst. There are seven waterfalls, Skradinski buk and Roški slap being the most beautiful. Between them there is a small lake with the picturesque island of Visovac in the middle. A Franciscan monastery was built on Visovac in the 15th century.
Plitvička jezera (Plitvice Lakes) is the most beautiful and best known Croatian National Park; and it is included in the World Natural Heritage protected by UNESCO. The parks, a sequence of 16 lakes connected by numerous waterfalls, is situated close to the main road, connecting Zagreb with Dalmatia. Thick forests of beech, fir and pine make it a perfect place for wildlife, including bears, wolves and numerous bird species. Guided tours in safari vehicles and electric boats are provided for visitors.
Southeast of Dubrovnik lies the stunningly beautiful island of Mljet. Its western part with two deep bays has been declared a National Park and because of their very narrow links with the sea, both bays are called lakes. The remains of ancient monuments and the 12th-century Benedictine monastery situated on the small island in the middle of the bay, make Mljet „the most seductive island in the Adriatic“.
NATURE PARKS
Besides Velebit, there are several other well preserved areas of rare and natural beauty.
BIOKOVO is a magnificent rocky mountain just inland from the coast above the Makarska Riviera. It is famous for its rich flora and fauna (especially the chamois) and dazzling scenery.
KOPAČKI RIT, a large wetland area where the river Drava flows into the Danube, has a rich and varied plant and animal life. Numerous fish species live here along with wading birds and also large herds of deer and wild boar.
LONJSKI POLJE is another marshland by the River Sava, between Sisak and Nova Gradiška. It is one of the largest and best preserved wetlands in Europe. Especially impressive are the vast oak woodlands which are home to many different bird species. A special attraction are the storks which live literally next to the people, nesting on the roofs of their autochthonous wooden houses.
MEDVEDNICA is a mountain near the capital city, Zagreb. Even though it is very close to the major urban centre, it is a protected conservation area of beech and fir forests and many natural monuments such as caves, waterfalls and canyons. Medvednica is by far the most popular weekend resort of the inhabitants of Zagreb.
TELAŠĆICA, the southwest part of Dugi otok in central Dalmatia, has a deep and spacious bay of the same name (Duga uvala). In the bay there are a few lovely islets. On the island, right off the shore, is a small salt lake and on its side facing the open sea are famous cliffs rising as high as 180 meters above the sea. This is one of the spots most favoured by sailors.
