Plitvicka jezera (Plitvice Lakes) is situated in the region of Lika between the Mala Kapela mountain and the Licka Pljesivica mountain on the 83 kilometers of the Karlovac-Zadar road, south of Karlovac. There are 16 smaller and larger lakes, the largest of which are the Proscansko lake and the Kozjak lake. They came to existence thanks to the karst water phenomenon.
The Black River and The White River have been eating into their rocky river bottoms for thousands of years. The sedimentation of the dissolved calcium and sodium carbonate, with the help of moss and special kinds of algae and bacteria, creates gypsum. Continuous sedimentation of this material creates barriers, waterfalls and cascades. It is a bio-dynamic process which still goes on here. This makes these lakes and extremely sensitive natural phenomenon. They were first proclaimed a national park in 1928, and gained permanent status of the national park in the year 1949. They were listed as parts of the world heritage by the UNESCO in 1979. 2000 acres of the total acreage of 29482 acres is under lakes and rivers, 27380 acres are covered with forests, and the rest are meadows and agricultural areas. The largest quantity of water is provided by The Black River and The Whit River which merge near Plitvicki Lje-skovac just before the Proscansko lake.
A river by the name of Rijecica flows into Kozjak from the South. The waterfall of the small river Plitvica and the waterfalls of the last lake in Kozjak are situated on the Sastanci locality, considered to be one of the most impressive in the entire National Park. Pli-tvicka Jezera count as one of the most beautiful areas of protected nature in Europe. This mountain area is covered with thick forests, which are the best preserved in Croatia and the entire Europe. There are 11 various types of forest here.
The best preserved forest complex is situated in the Corkova Uvala region. This region is covered with primeval forest, with some trees more than several hundreds of years old. The characteristic species are: beech, fir, juniper and white pine. These forests provide a home for bears, wolves, wild boars, wild cats and 126 bird species. A confrontation between the rebel "cetniks" and the Croatian police occurred here on the Easter of 1991, taking the first Croatian victim in the defensive Homeland war for the preservation of Croatia.
A memorial plaque has been set here in loving memory of the Croatian defender. The extraordinary beauty of these lakes and waterfalls, rich flora and fauna, pure mountain air, pleasant walks down the forest paths and petite bridges, comfortable hotels and restaurants appeal to guests from the whole world.
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