Kurjenrahka National Park

Kurjenrahka National Park (Finnish: Kurjenrahkan kansallispuisto, Swedish: Kurjenrahka nationalpark) is a national park in Southwest Finland. It was established in 1998 and covers 29 square kilometres (11 sq mi). The area consists mainly of bog but also includes primeval forests, some of which have been unmanaged for over 150 years. The Eurasian lynx is a permanent resident of Kurjenrahka, but brown bears and gray wolves have also been observed and are known to reside in areas within or close to the park. Marked trails in the general area extend to over 300 km.[2]

Kurjenrahka National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Location in Finland
LocationSouthwest Finland, Finland
Coordinates60°43′14″N 22°23′01″E
Area29 km2 (11 sq mi)
Established1998
Visitors53000 (in 2015[1])
Governing bodyMetsähallitus
Websitewww.outdoors.fi/kurjenrahkanp

In Middle Ages the forests were jointly owned by the local parish. In early 1800s two manors bought them, but they had financially hard times and had to sell them to the state before end of the 19th century. Before selling, they logged clear all areas with easy access, but some islands in middle of mires remained unlogged.[3]

The bog Vajosuo in Kurjenrahka National Park.
Boggy-shored lake Lakjärvi in Kurjenrahka National Park.

See also

References
  1. "Käyntimäärät kansallispuistoittain 2015" (in Finnish). Metsähallitus. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  2. "Kurjenrahka National Park". nationalparks.fi. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  3. "History and Sights of Kurjenrahka National Park". nationalparks.fi. Retrieved 29 December 2016.


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