List of areas in the Vinalia National Park System
The National Park System of Vinalia is the collection of physical properties owned or administered by the National Park Management Office under the Ministry of the Interior. The collection includes all National parks and National Monuments, as well as several other types of protected areas in Vinalia.
As of September 20022, there are 646 Units of the National Park System. However, this number is somewhat misleading. For example, the Royal Vinalian Reserve National Park is counted as a single unit despite housing numerous other units inside, similarly the historical centers of Catherinsk, Orlavo, and Velkarichka are counted as individual units despite numerous units being inside their jurisdiction. Counting methodology is typically based on the language of a park's authorizing legislation.
Although the designations generally reflect sites' features, all units of the system are considered administratively equal. Each site has a management plan consistent with its ecological, historic, and recreational resources and its enabling legislation.
In addition to areas of the National Park System, the National Park Management Office also provides technical and financial assistance to several affiliated areas authorized by Parliament. Affiliated areas are marked on the lists below. In 2022 the system underwent a legislative overhaul that saw a standardisation of all protected areas of Vinalia, including in foreign soil.
National Park System units are found in all 12 provinces, and the Capital District. Although not directly managed by the National Park Management Office, all foreign units are affiliated with the office.
National parks
CN designated World Heritage Sites (WHS) in the nature category
CN designated World Heritage Sites (WHS) in the mixed category
Name | Image | Location | Date established as park | Description |
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Chudzekal salt flats | South Juyu Ruwach | November 10, 1980 | This site features a large salt flat the remains of an ancient lake, which unable to drain into the ocean concentrated a flat surface of salt through thousands of years. The flats features renown races, and all Vinalian speed records along with Asterian records have been set by vehicles racing in the salt flats. Following rain, the water creates an immense mirror that reflects the sky above and the surrounding environment, before it too evaporates leaving salt behind. The site was made a national park in 1980. The nearby town of Chudzekal subsists almost entirely of tourism to the salt flats. In recent years the density of the salt has made it hard to race in the flats, and numerous calls for action have been made to protect the salt flats. A section of the salt flats is left unprotected and some commercial salt mining occurs. | |
Nicholas Arches | South Juyu Ruwach | February 21, 1922 | This site features more than 1,000 natural sandstone arches with some of the most popular arches in the park being Nizhna Arch, Landscape Arch and Double Arch. Millions of years of erosion have created these structures in a desert climate where the arid ground has life-sustaining biological soil crusts and potholes that serve as natural water-collecting basins. Other geologic formations include stone pinnacles, fins, and balancing rocks. It is named after Nicholas Mulin a Rizealand born explorer who discovered the site. | |
Royal Vinalian Reserve | Chyhyryn | June 7, 1799 | This site features the oldest National Park in the Asterias, after it was declared one by Frederick II in 1799. The site features a lush forest, numerous waterfalls, rivers, caves, and mountains. It is the largest national park in Vinalia. The park features incredible biodiversity, and numerous Endemic species live exclusively in the park. The largest Quetzal populations in Vinalia are located inside the park, the Quetzal is the national animal of Vinalia. The site became a World Heritage Site in 2000. | |
Semuc Champey | Shyroniy | August 31, 1955 | This site features a natural 300 m limestone bridge, under which passes the Yasinya River Atop the bridge is a series of stepped, turquoise pools, a popular swimming attraction, which are between 1 to 3 meters deep whose colors are green, violet or jade depending on the time of year, and climate. Located in a lush tropical forest, the site features numerous trails, caves, and ecolodges, along with serving as a nature preserve. The park was combined with adjacent Tyhr Nature Preserve in 2020. Semuc Champey means where the rio hides beneath the stones. | |
Mount Vulna | Zamara | February 21, 1922 | This site features Mount Vulna, the tallest mountain in Vinalia. The site covers the entirety of the dormant volcano along with the surrounding areas. Coffee plantations on the volcano are allowed as they're among the oldest such plantations in Vinalia. The site also features both Zapoyan, and Úuchmáan buildings and archeological artifacts, the importance of the volcano particularly in Úuchmáan mythology is well noted, and the site is categorized as a nature and cultural site do to this. In 2010 the Park was recognized as a World Heritage site in the Mixed category do to the natural and cultural importance of the site. Numerous protected species exist in the park, although illegal hunting has been noted. The park borders the Three Corners National Park. | |
Three Corners | Zamara | September 17, 2001 | This site features numerous waterfalls and a lush forest. Its located directly besides Mount Vulna National park to the south. The name "Three Corners" comes from two waterfalls which merge with the Usuman river before it enters the Vinalian Great lakes region further north. The park has limited public access, although several ecolodges exist, numerous protected species exist inside the confines of the park. | |
Lagoons of Ramenskoi | Shyroniy | September 12, 1986 | This site features the lagoons of Ramenskoi, and the fellow Birla river, it encompasses the lands of colonial era poet Afanasij Ramenskoi, along with his coffee майно, a 1964 museum to Ramenskoi was constructed on the site. The site is used for recreational activities, as well as showcasing the colonial era architecture of the майно, where Coffee is still grown. Theres 5 lagoons on the site. |
National monuments
CN designated World Heritage Sites (WHS) in the culture category
Name | Image | Location | Date established as park | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Church of St. Hippodalia | Orlavo, Orlavo | January 15, 1903 | The Church of St. Hippodalia is among the most important Episemialist churches in the world, and the most important in Vinalia. The church was first constructed in 1670, although it was partially destroyed in a fire in 1810. A new church was constructed between 1819 and 1830, becoming the largest such church in Vinalia until the 1900's. The church was damaged during fighting in the First Vinalian Civil War, and was set on fire in 1932 by Socialists attacking the Episemialist church, although damage was limited. In 2004 it was recognized as a World Heritage Site. It is also the ending destination for numerous Pilgrims. | |
Church of St. Nikolai the Holy | Velkarichka, Shyroniy | January 15, 1914 | The Church of St. Nikolai the Holy is the seat of the Archbishop of New Samistopol, and is the most important church in Vinalia. The church began construction in 1901, to replace the 1700's St. Nikolai the Holy church which now lacked the capacity, and necessary facilities for the Archbishop. Constructed between 1901 and 1911, the church was consecrated in 1914, and became the seat of the Archbishop. With the previous church now serving as a museum, the protected site also includes the previous church located a block east. | |
House of renewal | Velkarichka, Velkarichka | February 1, 2019 | The House of Renewal also known as the 33rd House, due to its address 33rd North and 33rd West, Velkarichka. The house was owned by Vladyslava Danylivna's aunt Maria Danylivna. Vladyslava lived in the house between 1986 and 1987, before she moved to the Presidential residence. | |
St. Nikolai's Church | Orlavo, Orlavo | September 5, 1911 | St. Nikolai's Church built between 1777 and 1784, is of the Soravian Baroque style, a rare example in Vinalia. The church was constructed in the newly growing Andrei neighbourhood at the top of Andrei hill. The church was remarked to be among the most beautiful Episemialist churches in the world. The church is a common location for Photo ops in Orlavo even during Socialist rule. Contrary to St. Hippodalia which was the victim of numerous attempts at vandalism, St. Nikolai's never faced such contention. | |
Tombs of Orlavo | Orlavo, Orlavo | October 2, 2011 | The tombs of Orlavo are a series of Úuchmáan tombs dating to the 4th century CE. They were discovered in 1966, and some 300 bodies have been excavated and researched. Numerous tombs from mass graves to individual tombs have been discovered. | |
Budynok Naymu | Orlavo, Orlavo | September 5, 1911 | Budynok Naymu or contracting house, is a 18th century trading house. It was constructed to centralized the buying and selling of Vinalian Tobacco, which was exclusively grown in the north of the colony, similar trading houses were located in Catherinsk, and Velkarichka. It was turned into a museum in 1911. | |
Church of St. Catherine | Catherinsk, Chyhyryn | September 5, 1911 | The Church of St. Magdalene constructed between 1782-1815 with the towers being completed in 1867. It is of a neoclassical architectural style. It is the the most important church in Catherinsk, with St. Catherine being the patron saint of the city. | |
Velkarichka Palace | Velkarichka, Velkarichka | September 5, 1911 | Constructed between 1860 and 1866, the building sat the Vinalian Assembly which had been established in 1847. It served as both the official presidential residence until 1944, and sat the Vinalian Parliament until January 1st 1993, when it moved to Orlavo following reunification. The site became a museum to the Vinalian democracy. It housed some artifacts from the Vinalian_Hall_of_the_republic collection, until 2020 when they were moved to Vinalinsk. It underwent renovations in 1899, 1908, and 1945, with most of the facade being changed in 1945. The building is directly opposite to the Velkarichka Freedom Square | |
Velkarichka Freedom Square | Velkarichka, Velkarichka | January 5, 1922 | The Velkarichka Freedom Square or the Central Square. Is located in downtown Velkarichka, to the its north the Velkarichka Palace is housed, while its surrounded by the former South Vinalian Minitry of Defence building, the Velkarichka central market, and the Velkarichka Armory. The square is known for its numerous events throughout its history such as protests, political rallies, assassinations, and coups. Most prominently it was the site of the 1987 South Vinalian protests, and is the place where Vinalian President and Minister-President Vladyslava Danylivna was shot in 87, and later assumed power a few months later, bringing back South Vinalian Democracy. | |
Vulaninsk Historical center | Vulaninsk, Zamara | August 19, 1959 | X | |
Liberty Park | Orlavo, Orlavo | January 5, 1999 | Liberty Park was built in 1889 to celebrate Vinalian independence. The park is popular in Orlavo, as it houses a diverse array of gardens noted as among the most beautiful in the continent. Its the ending point for numerous events in the city such as the Marathon, and religious pilgrimages. The park features the largest collection of Yellow Flute in Vinalia, the national flower. | |
Catherinsk Historical center | Catherinsk, Chyhyryn | January 5, 1922 | The Catherinsk Historical center refers to the historical center, and buildings found in Catherinsk dating to the colonial era. The site was heavily damaged in the Chyhyryn War, leading to most of the area being redeveloped. However 4 blocks of colonial style housing remained by 1956. When it was decided to redevelop a section of 8 blocks to fit in with the original 1844 plans of the city. In 2008 it was recognized as a World Heritage Site, due to its intact colonial style, and Vinalian desire to conserve the original colonial style. |
National reserves
Name | Image | Location | Date established as park | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Axolotl National Reserve | Zamara | January 13, 2000 | Originally called Lake Zalani National Reserve, the site was renamed in 2005, as the Axolotl was made one of Vinalia's national animals. The site covers the entirety of the lake, and is completely surrounded by the Great Lakes National Park which covers most of the Great lakes of Vinalia. The lake features a robust tourism industry, although fishing is strictly banned in the lake as is hunting Axolotls. Popular tourism times revolve around the breeding seasons of the Axolotls. The Great Lakes National Park that surrounds the site has numerous volcanos and mountains. The lake is the smallest of the great lakes, with the Zalani river leading to the larger Megjar Lake. Most of lake is developed except for Mangroves near the north of the lake. Axolotl populations have been reduced by competition from invasive fish species, causing local authorities to raise the bans on fishing, most recently in 2019. | |
Five Triangles Marine Reserve | Kisharsk | January 1, 2000 | The Five Triangles Reserve is the largest natural reserve in the Vinalian National park System at 507.7 square kilometres (125,455.4 acres). Located off the island of Kisharsk. The site officially does not allow fishing, although Catch and release fishing of select species is allowed. Minimal tourism is allowed, and mostly composed of recreational Scuba Diving. Some of the largest populations of Arucian manatee and Sharks can be found in the area. Since 2003, disturbing the Arucian manatee a national animal of Vinalia has been made illegal. It is one of the largest marine reserves in the Asterias. |