MAIN FACTS | |
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LOCATION | Croatia, Karlovac county |
AREA | 296 sq km |
COORDINATES | 44°52′50″N 15°36′58″E |
TOURISTS | 1,4 MIO (2015) |
ENTRANCE FEE | 7 - 34 EUR |
RATING (9,3/10) | ![]() |
Symphony of water, rock, vegetation and atmosphere
There are many factors which makes Plitvice lakes a unique nature location. One is the fact that the 16 interconnected lakes here are situated on a several terrains in different height levels - thus creating a lake cascade. The borderlines between these lake terraces are travertine (tufa) formations, made by the chalk-rich flowing waters from mountains. Water breaks through these travertine cliffs by forming numerous waterfalls (in total - 90 of them). They're diverse - from 78 metres high Big Waterfall (Veliki slap) to less than metre high but wider cascades. Travertine dams are being washed away and grown at the same time, so the whole system is in the constant motion and development. Also vegetation makes natural barriers which contains the lakes. The lakes'The Plitvice lakes area can be separated in two parts - Upper Lakes and Lower Lakes. The former are mostly based on dolomite cliffs but the later - on limestone cliffs. As Wikipedia informs, "from an aerial perspective, significant differences between the terrain of the Upper and the Lower Plitvice Lakes can be observed. At the Upper Lakes several little lakes have formed parallel to each other and a rather shallow water flow can be observed. The Lower Lakes, however, are much larger and virtually drill their path through the rock. Furthermore, there are only a few lakes at the Lower Lakes. They have formed a canyon, which continues as river Korana."
Origins of water stream
Another set of wonders is hidden from the observer, happening underground -As it would not been enough, the place is unusual also from the meteorological point of view. The unique local climate is made by the surrounding Velebit mountain range - it's more moderate than near-by areas which are located closer to sea and has more Mediterranean-type of weather. Thanks to this special climate as well as the height differences of mountain walls which encloses Plitvice lakes, the nature park area has a great biodiversity.
Made popular by Hollywood
Although Plitvice lakes were tourism object already in the 19th Century and the National park was founded here in 1949, several more decades had to pass before Plitvice lakes was discovered by masses. It became popular after several Hollywood westerns were filmed here back in 1960ies and 70ies. Nowadays Plitvice lakes is one of the most visited nature parks in Europe with around 1,5 million visitors per year.Google Map:
SEE ALSO OTHER BEAUTIFUL PLACES OF BALTIC STATES AND EUROPE
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