Velebit Nature Park

Velebit is the largest Croatian mountain and as such rich in natural phenomena. Protected as a nature park and extending over 2,000 km2 in area, it is by far the largest protected area in the country. Within the park there is a whole range of smaller protected areas, including two national parks: Northern Velebit in the Lika-Karlovac region and Paklenica in Dalmatia. Velebit mountain contains many natural sites which rank among the most precious in Croatia. Therefore, the entire mountain, in its full length of about 150 km, has been placed under UNESCO protection as a World Biosphere Reserve, presently the only one in Croatia listed as such. Velebit is not only significant for the total number of various species and its wealth of flora and fauna but for the significant number of endemic species as well.