Notes for Visitors
Protected area's in Iceland
There are three National Parks in Iceland protected according to the nature conservation act. They are Skaftafell National Park in the Southeast, established in 1964, Jökulsárgljúfur National Park in the Northeast established in 1973 and Snæfellsjökull National Park in the vest coast, which was established in 2001. Environment and Food Agency of Iceland has taken over issues which The Nature Conservation Agency had. The Agency, under the auspices of the Ministry for the Environment, mandates these parks and other protected areas in Iceland. In addition to the above national parks is Þingvellir National Park, an area protected by special law and mandated by special parliamentary committee.
Other categories of protected areas according to the nature conservation act are Nature Reserve that are areas protected for its importance for wildlife (flora and fauna) and landscape, Natural Monuments that are areas protected due to special geological formations e.g. volcanoes, fossils, minerals, waterfalls etc, Country Parks that are areas first and foremost protected for its importance for outdoor recreation and finally a category for habitats, ecosystems and species. In Iceland there are 31 plants protected according to the nature conservation act – the protection is under revision in connection to recently published red list for plants.
In addition to the above there are two other areas protected by special low. They are Mývatn and Laxá nature conservation area established in 1974 and Breiðafjörður marine protected area established in 1995. Enclosed you will find booklets for two of the nationals parks in Iceland. For further information about our establishment and work we recommend you to view our homepage that is www.umhverfisstofnun.is
