Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy

Established on 3 December 1922, the Gran Paradiso is the oldest national park in Italy and also one of the most fascinating. Covering an area of 71,043 hectares, the park stretches between Valle d'Aosta and Piedmont, and borders France with the Vanoise National Park. The terrain is mainly mountainous and lush, and is populated by numerous animals, some of which are protected species such as the ibex, previous victim of indiscriminate hunting and now a symbol of the area.
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