Camargue Regional Natural Park, France, United Nations Biosphere Reserve

The Camargue Regional Nature Park is located on the Mediterranean coast, within the Rhone Delta in France, mainly between the Rhone River and the two Rhone estuaries. It covers 3 municipalities: the municipalities of Arles and part of the municipality of Saint-Louis-sur-Rhône, and the entire municipality of Sainte-Marie-sur-Mer. The Camargue region is home to incredible flora and fauna. It is located on an important migratory corridor and the diverse habitat it offers makes it an ideal habitat for nearly 300 bird species. Gandhian culture is an integral part of the Camargue region's heritage. Throughout the year, ancestral customs are honored in various events and bullfighting performances. These municipalities belonging to the Camargue Regional Natural Park have a unique and rich historical heritage. The Camargue and its 85,000 hectares are protected by the Camargue Regional Natural Park. This area consists of vast plains and wetlands, and its diversity of geography, landforms and species is unique in Europe. These wilderness landscapes are embellished by salt marshes and saline wildernesses, where white horses and herds of Camargue bulls rest, pink flamingos have taken up residence in the reedy marshes and ponds, and the height of any point in the entire natural park, excluding buildings, does not exceed 4.50 meters. The influence of the Mediterranean and the Rhône, combined with human impulses, have over time created the Camargue's many environments of unrivalled richness. In 1859, in order to control the backflow of seawater from the Mediterranean Sea, 10 years later, a dam was built on the Rhone River to reduce the flooding of farmland by the river. In the northern part of the park, the wild landscape gradually gives way to cereal fields, asparagus crops, vineyards, but most importantly, to rice paddies. To rediscover the untouched nature of the Camargue one must head south. Then, sansur, ponds and swamps were everywhere. These wild spaces are gradually being encroached upon by cultivated land, but they are essential to preserving the biodiversity and balance of this place. The maintenance of natural pastures is also essential for the breeding of bulls and Camargue White Horses. In 1927, the area was listed as a Camargue National Reserve by a national nature protection association. The regional nature park was created in 1970 and has been managed by a foundation since then. The aim is to protect local flora and fauna while supporting the continuation of traditional activities. It was not until 1975 that the area from the north of Lake Vacares to the sea was classified as a nature reserve and designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. #OverseasTravel#EuropeTravel#Europe#NewYearGoodDestinations#Parent-ChildGoodDestinations#EuropeTravel#France#FranceTravel#FranceTourism#NaturalTourism#NaturalBeauty#Wetlands