The Cairngorms National Park is one of 15 National Parks in the UK (one of two in Scotland) and is Britain's largest National Park (4,528 km2). It is the location for some of the most spectacular landscapes in Britain and is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife and plants.
http://cairngorms.co.uk/the-park/facts-figures/
The aims of the National Park are:
• To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area;
• To promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area;
• To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public;
• To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities.
Cairngorms National Park, seven broad habitats can be identified:
• Enclosed farmlands
• Woodlands
• Open waters (rivers, lochs, wetlands and floodplains)
• Mountains
• Moorland
• Semi-natural grasslands
• Urban
• Population of c17,500
• 25.8% of population over 60 (higher than Scottish average)
• Average health index in top 25% of Scotland (based on deprivation indices)
• Extensive core paths network
• 55 Munros including 5 summits over 4000 feet
• 3 ski centres
• National Cycle Network Route 7
• 1 Long Distance Route (Speyside Way)
• Relatively low atmospheric pollution
• Annual precipitation over 2250mm on summits and under 900mm in straths
• Average annual snow cover 200 days on summits and 50 days on low-ground
• Prevailing winds from south-west
