MAMMOTH CAVE: The Longest Cave in the World
Kentucky, maybe now one of the most famous cities in the world. Because, one of the biggest fried chicken factories in this area is Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). In fact, in almost all metropolitan cities in the world, there are fast food restaurants.
However, besides the fried chicken factory, the area in Texas, United States (US) is also famous for one of its natural wonders. Kentucky is said to have the longest cave in the world. The length reaches almost 300 kilometers. Wow, it's fantastic. But, some experts estimate, the cave called Mammoth Cave is even longer, reaching 480 kilometers, because there are still some that have not been explored. Extraordinary.
Besides its length, this cave is also unique. Because the winding entrance is like a maze. Not only that, this cave also has an underground river that flows as far as the eyes are long. That said, the water flowed all the time from the beginning so it formed the path of the cave.
Likewise on the inside of the cave which has a wide diameter of more than 100 meters. Flowing water leaves fractures or faults that form unique and beautiful allows the formation of cave decorations called speleothems. This decoration is like a gypsum with flowers and needles. Mammoth Cave walls are lined with stalactites and stalagmites with stunning texture. As far as the eye can see, visitors will be spoiled with beauty and amazement.
Another unique thing is that this cave has been around for 350 million years. And the first humans to occupy it were nomadic people who were estimated to have lived about 4,000 years ago. At that time, they explored into it, and traveled about eight kilometers. As for the beginning, it was revealed that this Mammoth Cave was even longer, revealed in the past 1700.
Inside this cave, there are also a number of mini (small) animals and plants (flora and fauna). It is estimated that there are 130 species of fauna in it. Therefore, in 1926, the US Government established the Mammoth Cave National Park or Mammoth Cave National Park. The goal is to safeguard and protect the beauty and existence of the ecosystem that is in the cave.
Now, Mammoth Cave has become one of the world heritage sites provided by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in October 1981.