Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Beauty and Wonder; Above and Below
Rocky slopes and canyons, cactus, grass, thorny shrubs, and the occasional tree, who could guess at the hidden treasures deep underground? Beneath this rugged land are more than 118 known caves - all formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone.
The park's cultural resources represent a long and varied continuum of human use starting in prehistoric times, and illustrating many adaptations to the Chihuahuan Desert environment. Human activities, including prehistoric and historic American Indian occupations, European exploration and settlement, industrial exploitation, commercial and cavern accessibility development and tourism have each left reminders of their presence, and have contributed to the rich and diverse history of the area.
The park has two historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places - the Cavern Historic District and the Rattlesnake Springs Historic District. The park museum, including the park archives, contains approximately 1,000,000 cultural resource artifacts that are being preserved and protected for future generations.
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