At the end of 2021, a report from the Global Nature Foundation positioned Spain as the leading nation in the European Union among the countries with the largest area of protected natural spaces. However, our area preserved in this way does not even reach 50% of the peninsula and the islands. On the contrary, there is a country that has almost 80% of protected natural space, what is it?
This is Luxembourg, a small country located in the center of the continent that has up to 76% of its territory protected. We can know this thanks to a study by the energy consultancy SaveOnEnergy, which is reported by the Luxembourg press itself.
The country with almost 80% protected natural space
After analyzing more than 80,000 nationally protected land areas in Europe, SaveOnEnergy professionals concluded that this honorary title belongs to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for having the “highest percentage of surface area” preserved.
This, making it clear that countries such as Estonia, Finland, Ireland and Turkey were not included in the lists.
The spaces that have allowed Luxembourg to stand out in this ranking son of the Geopark Mëllerdall and the Nature Park Our, among others. Thus, despite being one of the smallest countries in Europe, with just over 2,500 square kilometers, this nation managed to prevail over others. In total, almost 2,000 of its 2,500 square kilometers have been protected in some way.
In this way, beyond the fact that it has “only” 134 areas conserved by national authoritiesno other nation has been able to match the milestone of this country born on June 9, 1815. For this same reason, it is one of the European territories that has suffered the least changes over the last century.
A very special country, with a large part of protected natural space
Luxembourg, with its privileged geographical location, is considered a natural oasis within the European Union. Its rulers have always worried and taken care of protect biodiversity that it houses and that is complemented with cultural tourism proposals that meet the circumstances. Among them, a rich historical heritage that includes its castles, towns and landscapes.
Surrounded by France, Belgium and Germany, and home to some of the most famous international financial institutions, Luxembourg has a multicultural atmosphere and a varied gastronomy that owes to some of its neighbors.
In fact, approximately 47% of the population is of foreign origin. And that is evident in the customs of its citizens.
Those who travel and visit its towns experience extraordinary sensations when they come into direct contact with nature. Its protected spaces are the Parque Natural Haute-Sure, the Sure Natural Park and the aforementioned Geopark Mëllerdall. The latter, in the Mullerthal region that some call “the little Switzerland of Luxembourg” for its rocks, forests, etc.
The same official Luxembourg Tourism website details that “there is a lot to stay active all year round: the parks and gardens in spring, the cool waters of lakes and rivers in summer, the romantic castles in the heart of the forests in autumn or the snowy sled slopes in winter. It is a good summary that the Luxembourgers themselves make of their tourist proposals.
What are the countries that follow Luxembourg on this list?
In the study by the energy consultancy SaveOnEnergy, Slovenia came in second place, with 72% of its country's nature preserved. Malta is third, covering 65% of its territory with conserved areas. Fourth and fifth, Cyprus and Liechtenstein. The first four have more than 50% of the country protected, while Liechtenstein remains on 45% of its territory.
At the opposite extreme, with only 4% of its territory protected, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the country with the smallest percentage within European territory. It presents only 2,000 square kilometers of its almost 200,000 square kilometers are preserved under some of the typical preservation figures.
Romania is second to last and then they are followed Serbia, Belgium and Portugal, all with less than 10% of their surfaces protected. Remembering that we are referring to national and non-municipal areas.
On the other hand, Germany is the Home to the largest number of protected areas in total, exceeding 17,000 throughout its territory. Sweden is in second place, with more than 15,000, and is followed by Switzerland (10,423), the United Kingdom (9,032) and France (3,812).
Those with the fewest protected areas are Bosnia and Herzegovina (40), Liechtenstein (44), Montenegro (54) and Cyprus (57). Just an overview, which allows us to know more about how European countries protect their main natural areas.
In response to global warming and climate change, these efforts will become increasingly important in Europe and the world.