A national park is a nature park designated for conservation purposes by a national government because of unparalleled national natural, historic, or cultural significance. It is an area of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a government protects and often owns. Although national governments hold different standards for national park designation, the conservation of 'wild nature' for posterity and as a symbol of national pride is a common motivation for the continued protection of all national parks around the world. National parks are almost always accessible to the public.