Carlsbad Caverns National Park
This karst landscape in the state of New Mexico comprises over 80 recognized caves. They are outstanding not only for their size but also for the profusion, diversity and beauty of their mineral formations. Lechuguilla Cave stands out from the others, providing an underground laboratory where geological and biological processes can be studied in a pristine setting.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/721
The Carlsbad Caverns are an extensive cave system with over 80 known caves. It originated 250 million years ago as erosion started on a reef in an (evaporated) inland sea. The park now sees about 400.000 visitors a year. Also, about one million Mexican Free-tailed Bats have made this their home.
Most notable example of the caves is the Lechuguilla Cave: of spectacular beauty it holds remarkable decorations like helctites forming under water and largest collection of gypsum chandelier speleothems. This cave is closed to the general public.
Karst cave systems are widespread in the world (Mammoth Cave, Skocjan Cave, Aggtelek Karst are three prominent examples also on the World Heritage List). Carlsbad distinguishes itself because of the huge chambers as well as the abundance and beauty of its decorative mineral features.
http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/carlsbadcaverns.html
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