W National Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
State Party | Niger | |
Type | Natural | |
Criteria | vii, ix, x | |
Identification | #749 | |
Region2 | Africa | |
Inscription History | ||
Formal Inscription: | 1996 20th WH Committee Session |
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WH link: | http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/749 | |
1 Name as officially inscribed on the WH List |
W National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
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Location: | Niger-Burkina Faso-Benin |
Coordinates: | |
Area: | 10,000 km² |
Established: | August 4, 1954 |
The W National Park (French: "W" du Niger) is a major national park in Niger around a meander in the River Niger shaped like a "W". While most of the park is in Niger it also extends through areas of Benin and Burkina Faso. Its 10,000 km² is largely uninhabited by humans. The park was created by decree on 4 August 1954.
The park is known for its large mammals, including aardvarks, baboons, buffalo, caracal, cheetahs, elephants, hippopotamuses, leopards, lions, serval and warthogs.
The park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
[edit] External links
Categories: IUCN Category II | Biosphere reserves | Conservation in Burkina Faso | National parks of Benin | National parks of Burkina Faso | National parks of Niger | World Heritage Sites in Africa | Ramsar sites in Burkina Faso | Niger geography stubs | Benin geography stubs | Burkina Faso geography stubs | African protected area stubs