Šumava National Park is a natural reserve located in Plzeň and South Bohemian Regions of Czech Republic on the border with Germany. These lands were historically settled by the German speaking people, but after the end of World War II the map of Europe was re- carved by the victors. German were kicked out and their abandoned lands were recaptured by relentless approach of nature.
Location: Plzeň and South Bohemian Regions Map
Area: 680.64 km² (263 sq mi)
Official site
Šumava National Park covers an area of 680.64 km² (263 sq mi) of dense primeval forests, peat bogs and numerous streams and rivers on the border with Germany. Most of the nature reserve was formed in the end of the last Ice Age when small lakes and rivers were carved by the receding ancient glaciers. Most of the large animals like bison, wolf, bear and others were exterminated by the humans over a course of several centuries. after the end of World War II German speaking population was expelled across the border to Germany. This left large expanse of land empty and for the nature to retake. On 27 December 1963 Czechoslovakian government ordered these lands to be protected. Over past few decades ecologists managed to reintroduce some original animals like Northern Lynx and deer into Šumava National Park. Today they thrive taking back their hunting lands back. Šumava National Park has a large interior nucleus of impregnable forest that serves as a home for numerous animals.