Ängsö National Park

Ängsö National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Location	Stockholm County, Sweden
Nearest city	Norrtälje, Stockholm
Coordinates	59°38′N 18°46′E / 59.633°N 18.767°E / 59.633; 18.767Coordinates: 59°38′N 18°46′E / 59.633°N 18.767°E / 59.633; 18.767
Area	1.68 km2 (0.65 sq mi)[1]
Established	1909, extended 1988[1]
Governing body	Naturvårdsverket

Ängsö is number 16 on the map

Ängsö is a Swedish National Park.It is renowned for its wonderful nature and a pleasing agricultural landscape which was not destroyed by technical civilization. The park can only be reached by water. There are fine natural harbors and a wharf on the shore of the island. ^{[2] [3]}

History

The island is not only a cultural and historical monument but it is a piece of old Sweden preserved here. In the 17th century Ängsö consisted of two islands with a narrow sound between them and was used for moving by the farmers who lived on the island Väringsö. But when the land rose from the sea, they joined and now the sound is a green meadow called Stormier. It lies in Stockholm's skärgård, between Norrtälje and Stockholm. It is situated eight kilometers from Bergsharma, in Norrtälje municipality, Stockholm County. Ängsö is considered to be a national park in a whole. It is the oldest and most fascinating park. In 1909 the authorities founded nine national parks in Sweden and Ängsö was chosen one of them for its rich flower cultural environment. Then it was split from Väringsö. One of the initiators was Ivar Afzelius who from 1892 was a summer resident on Väringsö. The park was extended in 1988 and now occupies the area 195 hectares. ^{[4] [2] [3]}

Biology and ecology

The forest covers a third of the park´s area. It is now one of the best preserved forests in the Archipelago: rare trees, bushes and flowers, such as cowslip and wood anemones grow there. The trees which dominated there are oak, ash, maple, birth. A lot of birds nest in the trees. Sometimes ospreys and eagles can be seen on the island where the sensitive nesting season is always protected. Some parts of the wood are off-limited during this period. ^{[4] [2]}

References

External links

• Ängsö National Park from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency