Una National Park

Una National Park
Nacionalni park Una
IUCN category II (national park)
Location	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nearest city	Bihać
Coordinates	44°29′42.96″N 16°08′05.96″E / 44.4952667°N 16.1349889°ECoordinates: 44°29′42.96″N 16°08′05.96″E / 44.4952667°N 16.1349889°E
Established	2008
http://www.nationalpark-una.ba

Una National Park (Bosnian: Nacionalni park Una) was established in 2008 around the Upper Una River and the Unac River. It is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most recently established national park. The main purpose of the park is to protect the unspoiled Una and Unac rivers which run through it.

The Una canyon in National Park Una near Kulen Vakuf, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Unac and Una confluence in National Park Una at Martin Brod, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Martin Brod's Waterfalls on the Una River in National Park Una at Martin Brod, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ostrovica medieval fortress in National Park Una above Kulen Vakuf, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Geography

Protection zone of the National Park stretches on the western side from the source of the Krka creek and its course to the confluence with the Una on the state border of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Croatia from where park border follows the Una and state border to the town of Martin Brod and confluence with the Unac. On the eastern side border of the park goes from the entrance of the Unac River into its canyon, few kilometers downstream from town of Drvar, and follows the Unac and its canyon all the way to the confluence with the Una in town of Martin Brod. From there park border follows the Una on the right and state border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia on the left, until it reach a small town of Ripač, few kilometers upstream from town of Bihać.

Waters

The Una’s waterfalls and white water rapids highlight the park. The most famous waterfalls are those at Martin Brod, where the popular "International Una Regatta" kayaking competition begins, and Štrbački Buk further downstream. Throughout the park, visitors can enjoy prime conditions for rafting, fishing, cycling, hiking, and camping. Jumping from the city bridges in Bihać and Bosanska Krupa is also popular.

Biology

Una National Park is also noted for its biodiversity, with 30 fish species, 130 bird species, and other animals, including lynx, fox, wolf, bear and chamois.

Archaeology

Area of the park has rich cultural-historic heritage and numerous archaeological sites, many dating from the prehistoric period. Among the historical treasures of the region are the Roman fort Milančeva Kula, Rmanj Monastery, many medieval fortresses like Ostrovica above Kulen Vakuf and the Ostrožac Castle, to name just a few.

Peace Park Plitvice-Una

Proximity to Plješivica mountain virgin forest, which stretches between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, and Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park makes Una National Park a top destination for visitors. More importantly, all of the facts about these two National Parks, their proximity, natural, cultural and historical richness, brings out the possibility and makes viable idea of joint management and promotion.^[1]

See also

• List of protected areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sources

• "Zakon o Nacionalnom parku "Una"". Službene novine Federacije BiH (in Bosnian). August 2008. Retrieved 2012-04-16.

References

1. "Peace Park Plitvice-Una: New Bridge between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia". newsvine.com. 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-04.