Weerribben-Wieden National Park
{{short description|National park in the Netherlands}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Weerribben-Wieden National Park
| alt_name = Nationaal Park Weerribben-Wieden
| iucn_category = II
| photo = NP-WeerribbenWiedenKaart.jpg
| photo_width =
| photo_caption =
| map =
| map_width =
| type =
| location = Overijssel, Netherlands
| nearest_city =
| coords = {{coord|52.73|6.03|display:inline,title}}
| area = 105 km2 (40.5 sq mi)
| established = 1992
| operator = Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer
| visitation_num =
| status =
| designation =
| open =
| embedded = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = Wieden
| designation1_date = 29 August 2000
| designation1_number = 1241{{Cite web|title=Wieden|website=Ramsar Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1241|accessdate=25 April 2018}}}}
}}
Weerribben-Wieden National Park (Dutch: Nationaal Park Weerribben-Wieden) is a Dutch national park in the Steenwijkerland and Zwartewaterland municipalities in the Overijssel province. Comprising the largest bog of Northwestern Europe, the park consists of two areas, De Weerribben and De Wieden; it has an area of roughly {{convert|100|km2|sqmi}}. The park was founded in 1992, although De Wieden was added later, in 2009.
History and former use
Large parts of the area were used for peat production until the Second World War. Since then a part of the area has been used for thatching reed production.
Present management
The area is managed by the large private nature-conservation organisation Natuurmonumenten and by the Staatsbosbeheer (State Forest Service). Other parties are involved in management issues as well, such as local communities. About {{convert|1000|ha|acre}} is still used for thatching reed production. Villages like the picturesque Giethoorn and monumental towns like Blokzijl and Vollenhove are important for tourism and recreation.
Vegetation and wildlife
The vegetation and wildlife are typical for such an area, full of peat and water. Resident species include the water soldier, the sundew, the black tern, the northern pike and, recently, the otter. In addition, the Green Hawker and the Large Copper are found here.
Visitor centres
- Visitor centre De Weerribben in Ossenzijl
- Information centre of the national park in Kalenberg
- Visitor centre De Wieden in Sint Jansklooster
- Schoonewelle 'Centrum Natuur en Ambacht' in Zwartsluis
Pictures
Weerribben2.JPG|Weerribben-Wieden National Park
2014-05-03 weerribben zvd 05.JPG|Visitor Centre Ossenzijl from the riverside
Weerribben 5.jpg|Weerribben
Waterpump in the Weerribben 02.jpg|Waterpump in the Weerribben
Canoeist in the Weerribben.jpg|Canoeist in the Weerribben
References
External links
- {{wikivoyage-inline|Weerribben-Wieden National Park}}
- {{commons category-inline|Weerribben-Wieden}}
- {{official website|http://www.np-weerribbenwieden.nl/}}
{{National parks of the Netherlands}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Protected areas established in 1992
Category:1992 establishments in the Netherlands
Category:National parks of the Netherlands
Category:Ramsar sites in the Netherlands
Category:Geography of Overijssel