Muránska planina National Park

Muránska planina National Park Národný park Muránska planina
IUCN category II (national park)
Cigánka Mountain (935 m AMSL), north of the village of Muráň
Location	Central Slovakia
Coordinates	48°47′11″N 20°01′47″E / 48.78639°N 20.02972°E / 48.78639; 20.02972Coordinates: 48°47′11″N 20°01′47″E / 48.78639°N 20.02972°E / 48.78639; 20.02972
Area	213.18 km²
Established	Declared in October 1997 and opened on 27 May 1998
Governing body	Správa Národného parku Muránska planina (Muránska Planina National Park Administration) in Revúca

Muránska planina National Park (Slovak: Národný park Muránska planina) is one of the youngest national parks in Slovakia. The core area measures 21,318 ha and the protective belt 21,698 ha. It includes 14 smaller protected territories. The headquarters are located in Revúca.

The area of the current Muránska Planina National Park was first protected in 1976 as a protected scenic area. This status was changed in October 1997 to that of a national park. The park was officially opened on 27 May 1998.

Muránska Planina national park is situated on the border between Central and Eastern Slovakia far from the country´s borders between the Horehronie region in the north and the Gemer region in the south. The area stretches from the Klenovská Rimava valley in the west to the Javorinka saddle and the village of Červená Skala in the east. The national park is spread out over 3 districts in the Banská Bystrica Region, namely the district of Brezno in the north, Rimavská Sobota in the south and Revúca in the south-east. The cadastral territories of the town of Tisovec and eight villages are located within the borders of the national park and its buffer zone. It protects the area of Muránska planina (Muráň Plateau), which is geologically part of the Slovenské rudohorie mountain range.

The geology of the Muránska planina dates back to the Meozoic era. During this time a huge block of dolomite and limestone moved to the location of the current national park and formed a nappe. Because of this phenomenon the core of the national park still consists of a limestone and dolomite plateau with karst formations. Over the course of millions of years water carved deep furrows and valleys that gradually acquired a wild character. Steep rocky ravines are located mainly on the northwestern and southeastern edges of the area. In contrasts, the surface of the plateau itself is relatively flat and is located between 900 m and 1400 m. Because of the well-developed karst, the plateau is dotted with numerous abysses, caves, sinkhols, karrens and springs.