Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico (NM), United States

Facts & Statistics
Place Name	Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Place Status (Type)	national park
Location	Eddy County, New Mexico (NM), United States, North America
Latitude	unknown
Longitude	unknown

Carlsbad Caverns National Park ( 73 sq mi/189 sq km), Eddy co., SE N.Mex., in the Guadalupe Mts., 5 mi/8 km N of Texas state boundary. Entrance (E end) 18 mi/29 km SSW of Carlsbad. Originally established as Carlsbad Cave Natl. Monument 1923; est. as a natl. park 1930. These connecting limestone caves in desert region, with remarkable stalactite and stalagmite formations and huge chambers, began forming c.5 million years ago as groundwater started dissolving the rock. The caverns, among the largest in the world, were discovered c.1900. The temp. of the caves remains constant at 56°F/13.3°C. Interior trail is electrically lighted for c.7 mi/11.3 km. The Big Room, 754 ft/230 m below the surface, is the most majestic of the many chambers; its perimeter is c.1.25 mi/2 km long. Each evening during the spring, summer, and fall, the countless bats that inhabit the cave swarm out to feed on insects. The park also contains 76 other caves (including Lechuguilla Cave and New Cave). Bounded by Lincoln Natl. Forest (Guadalupe Mts.) on W.