What is a national monument?
Arizona is filled with 18 spectacular and significant national monuments-more than any other state. Monumental Arizona offers a breathtaking aerial journey over these federally protected areas. How is a national monument different from a national park? The National Park Service, which manages most of them, says that monuments and parks differ primarily in the reason why they were established. A national monument is created because it contains objects of historic, prehistoric or scientific interest. Its size is unimportant. A national park is usually set aside because of its outstanding scenery or natural phenomena-like Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. Also, a park is often larger to support many different uses and visitors. Another difference is that a national park must be created by an act of Congress. But a national monument can be created either by Congress or the president of the United States. Since 1906, under the Antiquities Act, U.S. Presidents have named a combined
National Monuments are designated to protect objects of scientific and historic interest by public proclamation by the President of the United States as authorized by the Antiquities Act of 1906. Monuments are also created by Congress through legislation. Historic landmarks, historic or prehistoric structures, or other objects of historic or scientific interest on public lands may warrant designation as a monument.
