Vatnajökull National Park
Encyclopedia
Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland
was founded on June 7, 2008. It is the largest national park in Europe
, covering around 12,000 km² (12% of the surface of Iceland), including all of Vatnajökull
glacier, and the former Skaftafell National Park
, Jökulsárgljúfur National Park
and surrounding area.
The construction of four new visitor centers is planned by 2012.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
was founded on June 7, 2008. It is the largest national park in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, covering around 12,000 km² (12% of the surface of Iceland), including all of Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Iceland. It is located in the south-east of the island, covering more than 8% of the country.-Size:With an area of 8,100 km², Vatnajökull is the largest ice cap in Europe by volume and the second largest in area Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in...
glacier, and the former Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafell National Park was a national park, situated between Kirkjubæjarklaustur, typically referred to as Klaustur, and Höfn in the south of Iceland. On 7 June 2008, it became a part of the larger Vatnajökull National Park....
, Jökulsárgljúfur National Park
Jökulsárgljúfur National Park
Jökulsárgljúfur National Park was a national park, situated in the north of Iceland around the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum. It lay to the north of the Dettifoss waterfall. On 7 June 2008, it became a part of the larger Vatnajökull National Park....
and surrounding area.
The construction of four new visitor centers is planned by 2012.