Everglades National Park in Florida (USA): photo, description, interesting places

Everglades National Park in the USA is an island of real wildlife in Florida, unique both in its structure and in the type of eco-system. The Everglades is an extraordinary place that is located in the southern part of Florida. The terrain of the park is very swampy, thanks to which the destructive hand of man did not cause much damage to the territory at one time.

What can be seen

Most of the park is occupied by prairies and jungles, and the remaining percentage is swamps and rivers. The Everglades has become home to many species of rare animals and birds. Despite the fact that the territory of the park is clearly limited, and many paths for walking or driving a car have scattered along it, most of the park remains unexplored and is fraught with a lot of secrets.

Traditionally, tourists come to the Everglades to see alligators. Any reptiles like to be located in the shade of tall trees growing along the trails. Many do not expect to see an alligator right in the middle of a walking path, therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary stress, signs are placed throughout the park in dangerous areas that warn tourists about a possible personal encounter with alligators and crocodiles. It is necessary to drive a car through the park very carefully and not to exceed the speed limit, as often reptiles, feeling like masters of the situation, crawl out onto the road and completely block the path.

Another inhabitant of the national park, which you need to prepare for a meeting with, is blue herons. In the Everglades, they are found literally at every step and behave quite calmly: they have long been accustomed to people, and when they appear, they do not show any interest. Rather, on the contrary: they are completely ignored, continuing to go about their business.

Fun in the park

In addition to walking and driving, you can ride a boat or bike in the Everglades. Both can be rented right in the park. In addition, there are canoe rentals that will allow you to ride along the rivers of the national park and enjoy gorgeous views at an affordable price. Watching sunrises and seeing off sunsets in the park is a common activity for all guests of the Everglades. If you enjoy beautiful views and natural phenomena from the water, you can truly fall in love with the landscape of the park.

Camp for tourists

Everglades National Park is a huge multi-hectare area of ​​​​wild nature, 90% of which has not been subjected to any economic cultivation. Thanks to the untouched fauna and flora, the park is visited annually not only by millions of tourists, but also by a large number of scientists and researchers. On the territory of the park there is a small camp where visitors can stay. However, such pleasant conditions for visiting were created only at the end of the twentieth century, and before that the territory went through all stages of development and existence in the world of people.

History of the park

Previously, throughout the entire time of the existence of mankind, various tribes of Indians lived on the territory of the South coast of Florida. Very sensitive to nature, they protected it from the harmful influence of other people. However, over time, there were almost no Indians left, but the jungle, combined with the swampy terrain, made the territory practically unsuitable for cultivation, which is why the future national park stood in neglect for decades, living according to the laws of the jungle and wildlife.

So decades after decades went by, and only in 1934 was a law passed to create the Everglades National Park. Then the only goal was to preserve the virgin nature of the southern half of the peninsula. Visitors were practically not allowed into the territory: only those who were able to help preserve the flora and fauna were allowed to appear. However, the ban on tourists visiting this place did not last long. Thirty years later, the park was open to the public for everyone.

Today, more than two thousand various plants grow in the park, which protect many animals and birds from the sun, wind and rain. Some of their species are represented by only a few copies, and the Everglades National Park is their only habitat.

Interesting places

Another attraction of the Everglades National Park is the Shark River, which is densely covered with thickets of sword grass. In Shark River, mammals are very rare guests, as it is inhabited mainly by alligators and crocodiles, who are not averse to profiting from fresh meat. It is strictly forbidden to feed alligators in the park, as well as to hunt them. And it was in the Everglades National Park that one of the largest alligators in the world was discovered, the length of which was six meters.

The national park is also amazing in that a unique ecosystem operates on its territory, which in the hot season is a swampy area, and in winter it turns into a savannah. Tropical trees are adjacent to conifers.

Park today

Today, the park is actively visited by tourists from all over the world, but fifteen years ago, most politicians and private entrepreneurs in Florida decided that it was necessary to drain the swamps, cut down forests and turn Everglades National Park into agricultural land. However, the park is protected by UNESCO, which makes it absolutely untouchable for any big shots.

And yet there are certain problems with it: general pollution of the territories, environmental degradation, melting glaciers – all this did not pass without a trace for the Everglades. Nevertheless, the government and patrons are doing everything to keep the park in perfect condition. Watch the alligators, feed the birds, enjoy the magical nature and interact with wild mammals, go fishing or canoeing down the river. The Everglades knows no boundaries.

Once you visit the Everglades National Park, you will forever keep a piece of the jungle in your soul.

And if you liked the theme of nature, we suggest reading about another national park in the USA – Glacier.