Live Life Team
What is the world’s largest national park,
Northeast Greenland National Park is the largest national park in the world. In fact, it is so large you can fit Great Britain and France in the park and still have excess space. It is the only national park in Greenland. It has an area of 972,000 square kilometres, or 375,000 square miles, covering over one-third of Greenland.
The park was originally created on May 22, 1974 from the northern, practically unoccupied part of the municipality of Ittoqqortoormiit in Tunu (East Greenland). In 1988, it was expanded by another 272,000 square kilometres and now includes the north-eastern area of the former country of Avannaa (North Greenland). The park was designated an international biosphere reserve in January 1977.
The park is full of mountains, glaciers, and fjords and is home to many animals. Here, polar bears are kings, occupying the wide Arctic environment. Forty percent of the world’s musk ox population are also living within the boundaries of the park. Other mammals present in the park include the Arctic fox, Arctic hare, and collared lemming. Marine mammals that find shelters here include the Atlantic walrus, hooded seal, harp seal, bearded seal narwhal, and white whale. The park is also a good attraction for migratory birds, including snowy owls, eiders, and barnacle geese. Finally, there are 40 or so stay-in workers at the park.
Northeast Greenland National Park is truly a perfect place, not only for kids but also for adults.
