Komodo National Park
Komodo National Park (Indonesian: Taman Nasional Komodo) is a national park in Indonesia located within the Lesser Sunda Islands in the border region between the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara. The park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Padar and Rinca, and 26 smaller ones, with a total area of 1,733 km2 (603 km2 of it land). The national park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard. Later it was dedicated to protecting other species, including marine species. In 1991 the national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
| Komodo National Park | |
|---|---|
| Taman Nasional Komodo | |
IUCN category II (national park) | |
Komodo dragon at Komodo National Park | |
Komodo NP | |
| Location | Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia |
| Coordinates | 8°32′36″S 119°29′22″E |
| Area | 1,733 km2 (669 sq mi) |
| Established | 1980 |
| Visitors | 45,000 (in 2010) |
| Governing body | Ministry of Environment and Forestry |
| Website | www |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Criteria | Natural: vii, x |
| Reference | 609 |
| Inscription | 1991 (15th Session) |
Komodo National Park has been selected as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The waters surrounding Komodo island contain rich marine biodiversity. Komodo islands is also a part of the Coral Triangle, which contains some of the richest marine biodiversity on Earth.