Germany’s rich natural heritage is largely represented by more than 100 Nature Parks. Their combined area exceeds 9.6 million hectares, which means they cover more than a quarter of the total surface area of Germany. Tourism is a key factor for the Nature Parks and also a major economic factor in the region. Nature Parks offer the urban population in particular nearby opportunities to experience nature in the truest sense of the word, since there are one or two Nature Parks close to each major city. Each one is a unique landscape with its own characteristic features. The nature resorts, with their varied landscapes featuring mountains, forests, lakes and rivers, are thus in an excellent position to bring visitors even closer to nature by offering recreation and leisure facilities and opportunities for environmental education.
