Rago National Park
| Rago National Park | |
|---|---|
|
IUCN category II (national park) | |
 | |
 | |
| Location | Sørfold, Nordland, Norway |
| Nearest city | Fauske |
| Coordinates | 67°26′N 15°59′E / 67.433°N 15.983°ECoordinates: 67°26′N 15°59′E / 67.433°N 15.983°E |
| Area | 171 km2 (66 sq mi) |
| Established | 1971 |
| Governing body | Directorate for Nature Management |
Rago National Park (Norwegian: Rago nasjonalpark) is a national park in the municipality of Sørfold in Nordland county, Norway. The 171-square-kilometre (66 sq mi) park lies east of European route E06, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) northeast of the village of Straumen. The park was established on 22 January 1971.[1]
Rago borders Sweden's Padjelanta National Park, which in turn borders two other parks, and the combined of all the protected land is a total of ca. 5,400 square kilometres (2,100 sq mi)—creating one of the largest protected areas in Europe.
The lakes Storskogvatnet and Litlverivatnet lie within the park. There are several glaciers in the southeastern part of the park. Rago National Park does not have a rich variety of plants, due partly to its poor soils and harsh climate. The wooded areas consist mostly of pine. Many alpine plants grow among the trees.[2]
There isn't a wide variety of animal and bird life either. Moose live in the park along with semi-domesticated reindeer. There are also wolverines in the park. Willow grouse and golden eagles are frequently seen in the park.[2]
Name
The name is a shortened form of the Sami name Rágojiegna. The first element is the genitive case of ráhko which means "sledge for tent poles" and the last element is jiegna which means "glacier".
References
- ↑ Store norske leksikon. "Rago nasjonalpark" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2012-04-05.
- 1 2 "Rago national park". Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
