Plitvice Lakes

a national park in Croatia, Yugoslavia. Located in the upper course of the Korana River between the Velika Kapela, Mala Kapela, and Pljeŝevica mountain massifs, which are composed primarily of limestones. Its area is approximately 19,000 hectares (1974). The park was established in 1949 for the preservation of a unique cascade (with a fall of 156 m) of 16 karst lakes, arranged like terraces and joined by channels. There are 140 waterfalls and numerous caves, grottoes, and springs. The forests consist of beech, fir, spruce, yew, and other tree species. The park is inhabited by bears, fox, wild goat, and wild boar. It is visited by approximately 200,000 tourists a year.