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 Åsnen National Park in 2018.[1] As of 2020[update] there are 30 national parks in Sweden, comprising a total area of 743,238 hectares (1,836,580 acres).[2]
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.[3] 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).[4][5] Many of the northern parks are part of the Laponian area, one of Sweden's UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites due to its preserved natural landscape and habitat for the native reindeer-herding Sami people.[6] 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).[7][8][9] Fulufjället National Park is part of PAN Parks,[10] a network founded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to provide better long-term conservation and tourism management of European national parks.[11]
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".[14]
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]
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]
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]
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.[5]
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]
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]
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.[4]
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]
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.[7]
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.[9]
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 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 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]
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]
This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(April 2021)
Sweden's highest mountain Kebnekaise will be part of a national park sometime between 2009 and 2013.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.[40]
^"Skyddad natur i siffror" (in Swedish). Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved 2020-09-12.
^"Fakta om nationalparker" (in Swedish). Naturvårdsverket (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). Archived from the original on 2013-01-13. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
^"Kosterhavets webbplats" [Website of the Kosterhavet Marine National Park] (in Swedish). Västra Götaland County Administrative Board. Retrieved 2009-09-10.