<P> The national parks of England and Wales are areas of relatively undeveloped and scenic landscape that are designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (2016). Despite their similar name, national parks in England and Wales are quite different from national parks in many other countries, which are usually owned and managed by the government as a protected community resource, and which do not usually include permanent human communities . In England and Wales, designation as a national park may include substantial settlements and human land uses which are often integral parts of the landscape, and land within a national park remains largely in private ownership . </P> <P> There are currently thirteen national parks (Welsh: parciau cenedlaethol) in England and Wales . Each park is operated by its own national park authority, with two "statutory purposes": </P> <Ol> <Li> to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area, and </Li> <Li> to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the park's special qualities by the public . </Li> </Ol>

How many national parks are there in england and wales