The impressive landscapes of Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a national park located between the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, along the chain of the Great Smoky Mountains, which are part of the Blue Mountains, both divisions of the vast Appalachian Mountains. Covering an area of about 1,500 square kilometers, it is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, anteaters, lynx, deer, foxes, and many other species.
The park is known for its almost perpetual mists that swirl in the valleys and for its unique biodiversity, in part due to the wide climatic range, which even mimics the latitudinal changes found across the country. Plants and animals common to the northeastern part of the country have found suitable ecological niches in the park's higher elevations, while southern species find homes in the lower reaches.
The place offers us an impressive landscape, with mountains and valleys covered with forests. With very high humidity and precipitation, it is one of the highest average rainfall locations in the United States outside of the Pacific Northwest and parts of Alaska. The park is almost 95% forest area, of which approximately 40% is intact forest that has survived slow European colonization beginning in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These primary forests are home to more than 100 species of trees that alternate deciduous forests in low areas and valleys, and coniferous ones in the heights; it is one of the largest and best preserved temperate forests in the country.
Famous for its misty rolling mountains, ancient forests and rich biodiversity, this beautiful park located between North Carolina and Tennessee is one of the most visited protected areas in the United States.
The park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States.
The park is also known for its crystal clear rivers and streams, which are home to many species of fish and other aquatic creatures. The park's rivers and streams are ideal for fishing, rafting, and canoeing. The park also has more than 800 kilometers of hiking trails, offering panoramic views of the mountains and wildlife in the park.
In addition to its natural beauty, the park has several visitor centers and museums that offer information on the history and geology of the park. There are also several historical and cultural activities available, such as visits to historic farms and Native American villages.
Officially opened by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1940, since 1983 it has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, since in addition to its impressive natural beauty, the place has recorded human activity even before European colonization. The region was part of the lands belonging to the Cherokee Indians, there being an extensive record of their presence and also of the subsequent settlements of settlers.
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