National parks in great Britain

National parks. General information.
What are they?
a part of the National Park System, an organization that was set up in 1916 to protect areas of great natural beauty or of historic interest so that everyone can enjoy them.
What are they for?
aims of national parks
to protect the countryside;
to allow people to enjoy the countryside as home to trees, flowers, animals and birds.

National parks in America
America was the first country in starting up “National Parks”, beginning with Yellowstone in 1872. By now this and a dozen other parks together cover a a small fragment of the whole area of western mountings.
The most famous American National parks are:
Yellowstone
The Great Smoky Mountains
The Everglades
The Great Canyon

National parks in Great Britain
The first national park in England and Wales was founded in 1949. Long before this time, William Wordsworth, the great English poet, suggested that his native Lake District should become a special place. Now there are ten national parks in England and Wales which cover 9% of the land area. 90 million visitors come to national parks every year.

Now try to answer the following questions
What is a national park?
What are the national parks for?
How many national parks are there in Britain and in the USA?
What are some of these parks?
What can people enjoy there?

Yellowstone
It is the largest US national park, founded in 1872, in the Rocky Mountains. The park contains more than 3,000 geysers and hot springs.
Yellowstone River
Castle Geyser
Stone terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs

Everglades
The Everglades, Florida is one of the most interesting places. The Everglades is protected as a national park. Its unique ecology – home to water birds, snakes, alligators, wildcats, fish, cypress trees – is enjoyed by naturalists and tourists.
Views of Everglades

Lake District
The largest national park in the northwest of England. It is popular with walkers, cyclists, and people who go boating. It is one of the most beautiful and attractive places. It has Windermere, the longest lake in England, and Scafell, the highest mountain in England. Was unknown until the end of the 18th century. Then the works of such writers as Wordsworth and Coleridge attracted visitors to the lakes. Now the Lake District is one of the most popular tourist places in Britain. It is a place where you can enjoy fishing in the rivers and lakes or boating on the quiet waters of Lakeland.

The Great Canyon
It is situated on the Colorado River. This national park was founded in 1919. about 5 million tourists visit the park every year. Its unique nature is protected. You can watch the park from the window of a helicopter or by riding a horse or you can go rafting. All the excursions are guided. The park is open all the year.

The Great Smoky Mountains
It is a popular resort area that includes the national park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway (a motor route). A highway crosses at Newfound Gap (5,046 feet).
The area is covered by forests, of which about 40 percent is virgin growth, the Great Smokies support an abundance of rhododendron, wildflowers, and animal life.

Test yourself. Fill the gaps with the appropriate words.
The first … park appeared in the USA in 1872. It was .... In Britain the first national park was founded in 1949. Now there are more than 12 parks in the USA and ten parks in England and Wales. National parks protect …, and allow people to … plants, … , and birds.
One of the most interesting parks in the USA is the Everglades in …. Its wildlife is enjoyed by many … and …. Water birds, snakes, …, wildcats, …, … … are protected in the Everglades.
The lake District is the … national park in Britain. It is one of the most … places in the country. It has the … lake and the … mountain in England. A lot of … come there to fish, … …, and just to walk.
tourists
national
enjoy
countryside
highest
go boating
cypress trees
animals
Yellowstone
Florida
people
naturalists
largest
beautiful
alligators
longest
fish

Choose a scheme to retell what you’ve learned
The first national parks appeared in …
There are … in …
They cover …
The aims of national parks are
The most famous national park/parks in … is/are …
They are/ it is …
You can see …, besides you …
A lot of … visit the park