Frank, Lisa, and Steve take a long plane ride to Plitvice Lake National Park, where they will have to learn about the nature there in order to pass a test.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the largest National Parks in Croatia, and it is the natural feature that will be highlighted for this article and episode.
Located in central Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes has gained recognition for its beautiful landscapes of forests, lakes, and meadows. Large walkways run over and around the water, which makes for breathtaking views of this natural setting. There are sixteen main lakes and many other smaller ones, and they are all conjoined by a series of waterfalls that encompass the region. Although the lakes are one of the defining features of this national park, they actually only make up 1% of the area. The rest is taken up by rich forests and grassland.
Something else that’s notable about the Plitvice Lakes is the diversity of the wildlife. This is because of the conservation work that has been done. There are 50 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, and 320 species of butterflies. The most well-known animal of the area is the European brown bear, and some other popular ones are European wildcats, grey wolves, and eagles. Interestingly, while there are many vertebrates, there are very few numbers of invertebrates. There are only 8 distinct species of fish.
Now for some fun facts. To start, Plitvice Lakes is the most famous National Park in all of Croatia, bringing in 1.8 million visitors a year. It is often compared to Eden because of its stunning landscapes. Something else interesting is that the lakes continuously change color. They remain the same vibrant blue due to algae blooming in the water, but the specific shade changes throughout the day based on the sunlight. Lastly, the winters can get pretty cold in that region, and the waterfalls turn completely frozen for up to 30 day stretches at a time. It’s quite the sight to see.
For each landmark that will be covered in this series, there will be a brief section on the culture of the country that it is located in. Since Plitvice Lake National Park is in Croatia, that’s what will be focused on for this article. Croatia is oftentimes considered a crossroad of influence between western and eastern culture because of its geographic position. The Croatian language has three main dialects. Croatian culture gets expressed in its music, dance, art, and architecture. Symbolism has a big role to play in the culture there. Family is a key part of society and can be a determining factor in social status. Another defining part of life in Croatia is the red and white checkered pattern that is shown everywhere. It is a very interesting culture, and there’s a lot that can be learned about.
Plitvice Lake National Park and all of Croatia is a truly amazing place with breathtaking views. If you’re ever in the area and are even remotely interested in nature, be sure to check it out as you certainly won’t be disappointed.