Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most pristine natural areas in the eastern United States, protecting breathtaking mountain scenery, rushing mountain streams, and mature hardwood forests that stretch to the horizon for millions to enjoy. In the early 1900s, inspired by the beauty of these mountains, a few farsighted people began a movement to set aside this area as a national park. In 1976, the world community acknowledged the importance of these unique natural resources by designating the park an International Biosphere Reserve. In 1983, the park received further global recognition when it was listed as a World Heritage Site, joining places such as the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, the Galapagos Islands, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Everglades, the Statue of Liberty, and Independence Hall as part of a heritage shared with the world.