La Maddalena Archipelago National Park is a geomarine protected area consisting of a group of islands situated in the north-east of the coast of Gallura, in the stretch of sea between Sardinia and Corsica known as Bocche di Bonifacio. These islands – except for La Maddalena Island housing the homonymous town and characterized by a significant human presence – are entirely deserted or scattered with small human settlements, like in Caprera and Santa Maria Islands. Established with Law 4th January 1994 according to the reference regulations on protected areas, the Park Authority is regulated by Decree of the President of the Republic (D.P.R.) of 17th May 1996, which also introduced the first safeguard rules. The Decree also delimits the Park borders, which include "all the islands and islets belonging to the territory of the Municipality of La Maddalena, as well as the surrounding marine areas". The Archipelago is part of the European network of areas of great environmental importance (Site of Community Importance and Special Protection Area) for the presence of habitats and creatures that seem to have come together to perform a unique show.