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Natural Georgian (Karst) Monuments and Tourism
Authors: Тamara Zubitashvili
Number of views: 425
Karst caves are the largest caves in terms of length. They produce many kilometer-long and multi-storey complex cave systems, wherein you can now and then encounter lakes, waterfalls, stalactites, stalagmites, and other karst forms.
In Georgia, there are up to 1500 caves of this kind (many explored). Karst sites are mainly found in the Western part of Georgia.
Georgia’s caves are also rich in subterranean waters and lakes. You can also come across rivers that feed on subterranean waters but run underground. Such rivers are called karstic.
There are also stalactites and stalagmites in Georgia’s caves. Caves have their specific microclimate and fauna. During the Stone Age, people dwelled in caves as well. Caves are also used for water supply, refrigeration, tourism, and for other purposes.
Since antiquity, Georgian caves have been of interest to explorers. Georgia is a country of caves and abysses. Karstic relief takes up almost 7% of Georgia’s territory. Krastic reliefs play an important role in the development of tourism in Georgia.
It is known that mainly in highly developed countries the tourism industry actively engages cave resources, which brings in considerable profit. Among them, of especial value is speleotherapy.