The national park idea first emerged in the United States with the establishment of Yellowstone in 1872. Today there are at least 7,000 national parks in 140 countries around the world. But all face growing challenges from rapid environmental change, worldwide economic recession, and political pressures of varying degree. Crown Jewels presents fascinating, richly illustrated portraits of parks in the U.S., East Africa, Italy, Amazonia, Tibet, and Australia, with analyses by park experts in each region. Crown Jewels reminds us that our world's stunningly beautiful national parks are an irreplaceable resource with an uncertain future and all of us are key to securing that future.