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Vilsandi National Park (Estonian: Vilsandi rahvuspark) is a marine protected area in Saaremaa Parish, Saare County, Estonia.[2] It includes part of the island of Vilsandi, a number of smaller islands, and adjacent parts of western Saaremaa including the Harilaid peninsula.[3]
| Vilsandi National Park | |
|---|---|
 Soeginina coastline, Vilsandi National Park during summer. | |
.png)  Vilsandi National Park Location of Vilsandi National Park | |
| Location | Estonia |
| Coordinates | 58°22′43″N 21°52′38″E / 58.37861°N 21.87722°E |
| Area | 241.0 km2 (93 sq mi) |
| Established | 1957 |
| Designated | 17 June 1997 |
| Reference no. | 913[1] |
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Environment
editThe park grew from a bird reserve founded in 1910. It is a highly sensitive ecosystem, which is used as a stop-over area by many migratory birds, like barnacle geese and Steller's eider, and as a breeding and nesting ground for over 247 species of birds, of which the most common is the eider duck. One third of all protected plant species in Estonia can also be found in the national park.[4] Hunting is absolutely prohibited.
The park is a popular tourist destination for both Estonians and foreign visitors, particularly from Finland. It has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International it supports breeding and wintering populations of many species of waterfowl, as well as of common cranes on passage.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Vilsandi National Park". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ a b Vilsandi National Park Protected Planet
- ^ Vilsandi Rahvuspark in Estonia Protected Planet
- ^ Taylor, Neil (2010). Estonia (6 ed.). Bradt Travel Guides. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-84162-320-7.
- ^ "Vilsandi archipelago". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
External links
edit
- Vilsandi National Park (in Estonian)
- Vilsandi National Park at the Estonian State Forest Management Centre (RMK)
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