Ytre Hvaler National Park
| Ytre Hvaler National Park | |
|---|---|
|
IUCN category II (national park) | |
 | |
| Location | Hvaler, Norway |
| Nearest city | Fredrikstad |
| Coordinates | 59°N 11°E / 59°N 11°ECoordinates: 59°N 11°E / 59°N 11°E |
| Area |
354 km2 (137 sq mi), of which 14 km2 (5.4 sq mi) is land 340 km2 (130 sq mi) is water |
| Established | 26 June 2009 |
| Governing body | Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management |
Ytre Hvaler National Park (Norwegian: Ytre Hvaler nasjonalpark) is a national park in Hvaler and Fredrikstad in Østfold, Norway. It is mostly a marine park, covering the outer parts of the skerries of the Oslofjord's east shore. To the south, the national park's border lies on the Norway–Sweden border next to Kosterhavet National Park. Ytre Hvaler covers an area of 354 km2 (137 sq mi), of which 340 km2 (130 sq mi) is sea and 14 km2 (5 sq mi) is land. The park was established on 26 June 2009 and is the only marine national park in the country.[1]
Settlements in the area may have been as old as the Bronze Age. The park is dominated by the coastal culture which has used the area for centuries, resulting in it including boathouses for fishing. Akerøya was settled between 1682 and 1807. There are more than 50 shipwrecks in the park, the most prominent being the frigate Lossen. Within the park are two lighthouses: Torbjørnskjær and Homlungen, both which are operated by the Norwegian Coastal Administration. The islands remain in use for grazing.[2]
The park includes the largest known coral reef in sheltered waters in Europe, which is located near the island Tisler.[2]
References
- ↑ "FOR 2009-06-26 nr 883: Forskrift om vern av Ytre Hvaler nasjonalpark, Hvaler og Fredrikstad kommuner, Østfold" (in Norwegian). Lovdata. 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ytre Hvaler nasjonalpark" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management. 22 November 2010. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
