What is Protected area?
[[File:Arenal at night.jpg|thumb|[[Arenal Volcano National Park]], a protected area in [[Costa Rica]]]] '''Protected areas''' or '''conservation areas''' are locations with special protection. They are protected because of their recognized natural, [[ecology|ecological]] or cultural importance. Areas are usually protected by [[law]]. The law can be local, from the country of the protected area, or even [[wikt:international|internationally]]. Protected areas are important for [[biodiversity]]. They often provide an area safe from hunting or changes to the environment. This provides a safe [[habitat]] for threatened and [[endangered species]]. They are also important to protect naturally formed areas, like the [[Grand Canyon]], from damage by humans. There are many types of protected areas. One type is a '''marine protected area'''. A marine protected area is for [[sea]]s, [[ocean]]s, [[estuary|estuaries]] or large [[lake]]s. [[Northeast Greenland National Park]] is an example of a protected area. The park protects a large variety of animals, such as [[musk ox]]en, [[walrus]], and [[King Eider]]. Another example of a protected area is the [[Valley of the Kings]] in [[Egypt]]. This area is protected because it is an important [[archaeological site]]. ==Related pages== *[[Marine reserve]] *[[Nature reserve]] *[[World Heritage Site]] [[Category:Protected areas|*]]