W National Park

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W National Park of Niger1
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party Flag of Niger Niger
Type Natural
Criteria vii, ix, x
Identification #749
Region2 Africa
Inscription History
Formal Inscription: 1996
20th WH Committee Session
WH link: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/749

1 Name as officially inscribed on the WH List
2 As classified officially by UNESCO

W National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
The River Niger meandering like a W.
The River Niger meandering like a W.
Location: Niger-Burkina Faso-Benin
Coordinates: 12°31′31″N, 2°39′48″E
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.

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