Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad Caverns 

karst caverns in the USA, in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico, southwest of the city of Carlsbad. They are noted for having the largest chambers, or grottoes, in the world. The caverns reach a depth of 339 m, and the overall length of their halls and passages is approximately 12 km. The largest hall, which is in the shape of the letter T, is 610 m long, 335 m wide, and up to 87 m high. It covers an area of 5.7 hectares. Carlsbad is the habitat and hibernation place for a large number of bats. Because of the enormous stalagmites, the remarkable size of the halls, and the beauty of the grottoes, great numbers of tourists are drawn to the caverns. In 1930 the Carlsbad Caverns were designated as a national park.