Venezuela, Indonesia, Colombia, United States, Thailand, Australia

In a world facing rapid urbanization and climate change, preserving natural ecosystems has never been more important. National parks play a crucial role in safeguarding biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and maintaining ecological balance. From dense tropical forests to arid deserts and icy mountain ranges, these protected spaces serve as sanctuaries for wildlife and for people to reconnect with nature.

Many countries around the world have stepped up their conservation efforts, dedicating large swaths of land to national parks and reserves. These efforts not only preserve precious habitats but also celebrate the beauty and diversity of our planet. In this list, we highlight the countries that are leading the way in conservation by establishing and maintaining the highest number of national parks globally. Intrigued? Click on to find out!

Finland

Finland has some of the most stunning national parks in the world. And, if you visit them at the peak of the summer season, you might have the unique experience of 24 hours of sunlight. There are several hiking trails, camping sites, lakes, and grasslands within the national parks that allow you to immerse yourself in the pristine arctic wilderness.

Venezuela

Venezuela is home to incredible biodiversity and myriad flora and fauna. One can find rainforests, caves, savannahs, and flat-topped mountains called tepuis. The most famous national park in the country, the Canaima National Park, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It harbors the world’s tallest waterfall, the legendary Angel Falls, and 115 tepuis.

Chile

National parks in Chile cover 20% of the country’s landmass. And each one is starkly different from the other. Torres del Paine is immensely popular with its gorgeous turquoise lakes, pristine glaciers, and towering granite spires. Located in the Patagonia region of southern Chile, it is a well-known spot among trekkers.

Norway

Norway’s scenic tundra has several exquisite fjords, glaciers, and snowy peaks, making its national parks some of the most unique in the world. Some of the most popular wildlife spots are in the Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park, which serves as a natural habitat for arctic foxes, reindeer, wolverines, lynxes, and wild musk oxen, among others.

Indonesia

Indonesia is an archipelago consisting of an estimated 18,000 islands with unique plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and marine life. One can find exotic wildlife species such as orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons, pythons, rhinos, elephants, and more.

Colombia

The country has one of the most diverse landscapes, which includes the Andes mountains, the Caribbean coastline, and lush green tropical forests. Decades of effort to conserve the natural beauty of the region have paid off, with national parks and protected reserves covering 77,220 square miles (roughly 200,000 square kilometers).

United States

America’s national parks are every tourist's dream. The nation has many historic sites, monuments, canyons, volcanoes, seashores, geysers, rivers, and more. They also include hiking trails, recreational spots, camping areas, museums, and galleries.

Russia

Being the largest country in the world by land area, Russia has huge expanses of land that have been converted into national parks. They are home to a diverse array of wildlife species, such as moose, brown bears, wolves, foxes, Siberian tigers, Persian leopards, and many birds and marine animals.

Israel

Israel boasts an impressive range of natural landscapes. Some of the ecological wonders include the lush green hills of the Galilee and the stark beauty of the Negev Desert, the Mediterranean coastline, and the saline expanse of the Dead Sea. Over the decades, Israel has made significant efforts to protect its natural treasures, resulting in a network of national parks and nature reserves that span more than 1,000 square miles (over 2,500 square kilometers).

India

India is a land of remarkable contrasts with snow-capped mountains, arid deserts, lush forests, and tropical coastlines that coexist within its vast borders. The national parks in such a varied landscape are naturally home to a staggering array of wildlife, including iconic species such as Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, Indian elephants, leopards, and rhinoceroses.

Thailand

Thailand’s landscape is a delightful combination of misty mountains in the north, lush rainforests in the south, and serene coastal ecosystems lining the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The national parks serve as a habitat for a diverse range of species, from elephants, tigers, and gibbons to hornbills, sun bears, and exotic amphibians.

Australia

Australia’s wild terrain is legendary. The Land Down Under is known for its sun-scorched outback, rainforests, alpine ranges, and radiant coral reefs. Its biodiversity is as unique and distinct as its geography. It is home to species found nowhere else on Earth, such as kangaroos, koalas, wombats, platypuses, kookaburras, and echidnas, to name a few.