Everglades National Park, Florida, United States

(Origin pictures: http://www.phy.duke.edu )

There is only one Everglades in the World.
Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The area boasts rare and endangered species, such as the American crocodile, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee. It has been designated an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance, in recognition of its significance to all the people of the world.

Hurricane Update

In 2005, many facilities in Everglades National Park were damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. The Flamingo area and associated facilities suffered extensive damage. While recovery efforts continue, most of the facilities in the park are open and accessible.

(Origin picture: http://www.cclockwood.com )

(Origin text: http://www.nps.gov )

The area was authorized as a national park on May 30, 1934, but it was not fully established until December 6, 1947. The park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve on October 26, 1976. On November 10, 1978, most of the park was declared a wilderness area. Wilderness designations covered 1,296,505 acres (5247 km²) in 2003 — about 86 % of the park.

Everglades National Park is surrounded by the urban and agricultural areas of Miami, Homestead, and Florida City to its east, the Florida Straits and Florida Keys to its south, the Gulf of Mexico to its west and Big Cypress National Preserve to its north. Big Cypress is similar to the northern portion of the Everglades and it is about half the size of the park itself.

(Origin text: www.wikipedia.org )

(Origin picture: http://www.interweave-consulting.com/ )

You can also look at http://www.everglades.national-park.com/ , there you´ll find a lot of information about Everglades National Park.

Babette Oller