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Speleology |
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| The karstic area of
Croatia abounds in caves and holes of which there are more than
850 and they are to be found on the mainland, on islands, by
rivers, on the sea bed and in the mountains. For over half of
them all we know is that they exist, but everything else is
unknown and they are yet to be thoroughly investigated. Some of
the more attractive caves, for instance those in Istria, Gorski
kotar, on the mountains of Medvednica (rising above Zagreb),
Papuk, in the regions of Kordun, Lika, Dalmatia and Zagora - are
open to visitors with no experience in speleology. Their
inventory is rich and varied, comprising dripstones (stalagmites
and stalactites), curtains and all the other fascinating
features found in caves. |
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| Many underground
spaces are protected as geomorphological monuments, such as
Modra špilja [Blue Cave] on the island of Biševo; Cerovečke
špilje [Cerovac Caves] near Gračac; Manita peć [Furious
Furnace]; Veternica, near Zagreb and many others. Also protected
are all denizens of the underground world, relics and endemic
species - bugs, shells, sponges, olm (or proteus), a cave leech
discovered in Luka's Hole on Velebit. The oldest finds of Homo
erectus (dating from about one million years ago) originate from
Šandalja near Pula; in the Hušnjakovo semi-cave near Krapina
remains of Neanderthal man were found (c. 120,000 years old).
Among a number of interesting features on the island of Brač are
Zmajeva špilja and the cave altars close to the Blaca desert. |
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The caves organised to receive
visits by tourists arte installed with lighting, pathways
which ensure safe passage, and guides provided by the
authority responsible for protecting the caves, or by visit
organizers. Speleological societies, clubs and sections within
the mountaineering societies undertake research of caves and
holes. Research expeditions of some importance are often
joined by speleologists from other countries. One activity
that is gaining in popularity is what has become known as
speleo-diving. Many speleological sites reveal their most
interesting features and links with other underground spaces
and water flows only when water obstacles (syphons) are
overcome by diving through them.
http://www.ddiskf.hr/
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