Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks |
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Map of the Canadian Rocky Mountain parks
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| Location | Canada |
| Governing body | Parks Canada and BC Parks |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, viii |
| Designated | 1984 (8th session) |
| Reference no. | 304 |
| State Party | Canada |
| Region | Europe and North America |
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The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are a huge and beautiful area in the Canadian Rockies. This special place is so important that UNESCO has named it a World Heritage Site. This means it is a natural wonder that should be protected for everyone in the world to enjoy.
The site includes seven amazing parks. Four of these are national parks managed by the Canadian government:
The other three are British Columbia provincial parks, managed by the province:
These parks became a World Heritage Site in 1984.
Contents
Why are these parks special?
The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are famous for their stunning natural beauty. You can find towering mountains, huge glaciers, deep canyons, and amazing waterfalls here. There are also many caves and hot springs.
The parks are home to many different kinds of animals. You might see grizzly bears, wolves, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. They also have a wide variety of plants and trees.
The Burgess Shale
A very important part of this World Heritage Site is the Burgess Shale. This is a special fossil site located in Yoho National Park. It holds some of the best examples of soft-bodied fossils from the Cambrian period. This was about 508 million years ago!
These fossils show us what life was like in the oceans long, long ago. They help scientists understand how early life forms developed on Earth. The Burgess Shale was actually a World Heritage Site on its own from 1980 to 1984. Then, it became part of the larger Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks site.
Exploring the parks
Millions of people visit these parks every year. They come to hike, camp, ski, and enjoy the incredible scenery. There are many trails for all skill levels. You can also go canoeing, kayaking, or wildlife watching.
The parks are managed carefully to protect their natural environment. This ensures that future generations can also enjoy their beauty and learn from their unique history.
Images for kids
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Commemorative plate
See also
In Spanish: Parques de las Montañas Rocosas Canadienses para niños
