Kopaonik National Park

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Kopaonik National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Kopaonik during the winter months
Location:	Serbia
Nearest city:	Novi Pazar
Coordinates:	43°15′″N, 20°50′″E
Area:	118.1 km²
Established:	1981

Kopaonik National Park was established in 1981. It is located in the southern part of Central Serbia. Deciduous forests and native coniferous woodland make up most of the forested land in the park. Kopanonik has many species of birds, such rock partridge, scops owl, red-backed shrike, and the wood lark. Soil erosion poses no threat as there is no logging and deforestation in the park.

The national park is situated on a large a relatively flat region at an altitude of about 1,700 metres. This central Kopaonik plateau is called Suvo Rudište. It is surrounded by mountain peaks. To the north and northwest of this plateau stretches Banjski Kopaonik, which is the well-known location of Jošanicka Banja spa, with its strong springs whose waters reach the temperature of 88 degrees Celsius. Directly below the Suvo Rudište plateau starts the attractive and picturesque valley of the Samokovska River, characterized by its steep run, numerous rapids, falls and gorges.