| Yosemite National Park (pronounced /joʊˈsɛmɨtiː/ yo-SEM-it-ee) is a national park located in the eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in east central California, United States. The park covers an area of 761266 acres or 1189 square miles (3081 km²) and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. Yosemite is visited by over 3.5 million people each year, many of whom only spend time in the seven square miles (18 km²) of Yosemite Valley. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, Giant Sequoia groves, and biological diversity. Almost 95% of the park is designated wilderness. Although not the first designated national park, Yosemite was a focal point in the development of the national park idea, largely owing to the work of people like John Muir and Galen Clark. Keywords: bbtv broadbandtv yosemite national park ca tourist tourism travel destination vacation california usa united states tuolumne mariposa madera counties national park service lower cathedral lake ansel adams wilderness hoover wilderness emigrant wildernes valley lembert dome half el captain merced river bridalveil fall wawona |
