Declared to preserve the nature of natural ecosystems and landscapes together with their plant and animal communities and habitats since 1962 under the name of Vihren National Park and in 1974 it is renamed to Pirin National Park. In 1998 was assigned with a status of National Park and area was extended to 40332.4 ha. Includes territories Bansko, Gotse Delchev, Razlog, Sandanski, Strumyani, Kresna, Simitli’ municipalities. Area of Pirin National Park within Municipality of Bansko is 14 777, 26 ha. Included in UN’ lists of National Parks and their equivalent reserves. In 1983, it was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List with an area of 26413.8 hectares to protect the unique diversity of landscape forms, plant and animal species.