<strong>North America's largest national park: </strong>Sprawling across nearly half of the world's largest island, Northeast Greenland National Park is also the single largest national park and biggest land-based protected area on the planet. At 972,000 square kilometers (375,000 square miles), it's larger than all but 29 of the United Nations' member states.
North America's largest national park: Sprawling across nearly half of the world's largest island, Northeast Greenland National Park is also the single largest national park and biggest land-based protected area on the planet. At 972,000 square kilometers (375,000 square miles), it's larger than all but 29 of the United Nations' member states.
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<strong>South America: </strong>Chiribiquete National Park in southeast Colombia is 43,000 square kilometers (17,000 square miles) in size. The largest national park in South America, it features a massive tract of Amazon rainforest, tepui flat-topped mountains and wild rivers.
South America: Chiribiquete National Park in southeast Colombia is 43,000 square kilometers (17,000 square miles) in size. The largest national park in South America, it features a massive tract of Amazon rainforest, tepui flat-topped mountains and wild rivers.
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<strong>Australia: </strong>Covering 36,000 square kilometers/13,900 miles, the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park protects the starkly beautiful desert landscapes of far northern South Australia.
Australia: Covering 36,000 square kilometers/13,900 miles, the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park protects the starkly beautiful desert landscapes of far northern South Australia.
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<strong>Asia: </strong>Established in 2021, China's Sanjiangyuan National Park is now the largest national park (123,100 square kilometers/47,529 square miles) on the continent. It encompasses a colossal chunk of the Tibetan Plateau, which nurtures the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lantsang rivers.
Asia: Established in 2021, China's Sanjiangyuan National Park is now the largest national park (123,100 square kilometers/47,529 square miles) on the continent. It encompasses a colossal chunk of the Tibetan Plateau, which nurtures the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lantsang rivers.
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<strong>Europe: </strong>Far and away the largest national park in Europe, Iceland's Vatnajökull National Park covers 14,141 square kilometers (5,460 square miles) of land. The reserve is a wonderland of volcanoes and hot springs, fjords and glaciers that's easy to explore on your own or via guided trips.<br />
Europe: Far and away the largest national park in Europe, Iceland's Vatnajökull National Park covers 14,141 square kilometers (5,460 square miles) of land. The reserve is a wonderland of volcanoes and hot springs, fjords and glaciers that's easy to explore on your own or via guided trips.
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<strong>Africa: </strong>Some of the world's highest and biggest sand dunes are the centerpiece of western Namibia's Namib Naukluft National Park, Africa's largest at 49,768 square kilometers (19,216 square miles).<br />
Africa: Some of the world's highest and biggest sand dunes are the centerpiece of western Namibia's Namib Naukluft National Park, Africa's largest at 49,768 square kilometers (19,216 square miles).
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<strong>Antarctica: </strong>The bottom end of the planet doesn't have any national parks, but the Antarctic does have one official nature reserve -- the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area. Created in 2016, the reserve spans 1.55 million square kilometers (600,000 square miles) and is home to millions of polar animals.
Antarctica: The bottom end of the planet doesn't have any national parks, but the Antarctic does have one official nature reserve -- the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area. Created in 2016, the reserve spans 1.55 million square kilometers (600,000 square miles) and is home to millions of polar animals.
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