Plitvice Lakes, National Park, Croatia

The Plitvice Lake National Park was founded in1949 and is the oldest in south east Europe and the largest in Croatia. The National Park was added to the UNESCO World heritage  register among the first natural sites worldwide. The park receives around 1.,200,000 visitors every year which is a great contribution to the economy of the wider region. The Park is well known for its lakes arranged in cascades.

Since time immemorial  humans have inhabited the areas around the Plitvice lakes. After the Croats eventually took over the area in the 6^th century they decided to permanently settle down in the area. The lakes that now exist formed a minor part of the medieval Kingdom of Croatia. Under the croat rule the region prospered economically.

The lakes which are visible from the surface are a result of a junction of several small rivers and Karst rivers. These lakes are interconnected and follow the flow of the water. The national park isa home to flora and  fauna that is exclusive to the area and that have existed since even before the emergence of the early man.

Earlier farmers and natives of the region failing to realize the ecological value of the lakes, would fill the small lakes with mud to use them for their individual benefits. As times changed people started becoming conscious about the harm being caused to the park and the lakes. They decided to preserve the park build pathways and upgrade the tracks.

After the end of the Second World War the true value of theis park was finally acknowledged and numerous nature protection measures were given a green signal. Also Plitvice Lakes were declared aasa National Park Area. Roads were constructed and the hotels came up. The Plitvice lakes are presently one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Croatia. Due to their high natural cultural and tourist significance they have been a motor for the local economy.

There is a slight confusion as to how the park was named. One opinion states that the park was named after the phenomenon that created lakes. The word Plitvak in Croatian literally means shallow. The height of the dams in the national park keeps changing.

While a second opinion stated by scientists says that the river Plitvica is the reason behind the name of the National Park as it is been there since the park’s origin. The park has its own admirers who happen to be ace photographers, film makers and novelists.

The National Park across two political sub divisions. The area is divided between Lika – Senj County and Karlovac County. Hence the national park authority is under national jurisdiction.

The whole water body spreads across 20 km square. Proscanko Jerezo and Kozjak are the two largest water bodies in the park and cover about 80 percent of the park. Low noise and ecologically friendly electric boats are being used to park. They are collectively known as the Plitvice Lakes.