Show llovy national parks and national monuments differ there are 20 national parks and more mord than 70 nati national monuments generally national parks park are areas preserved by the federal government because of their outa stan standing dim scenery while national monuments are either cither buildings or areas preserved because of their prehistoric historic scientific geologic or biologic interest for example carlsbad caverns la in new mexico Is classI classified fled as it a na lional park while chaco canyon in new mexico Is listed as a national monument of interest because beca use of pro historic cliff dwellings though most of the national parks are in the west and southwest there are others in nil all parts of the united states in alaska and hawaii both national parks and national monuments a are reopen open to the public duran during the last 25 years visitors registering nt lit national achs have increased from about annually to moro than i 4 In 1035 there ther e aro are in addition eight national military parks parka and national with a total area pt 0 acres washington Washing toD star |