The 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, due to which the destructive hand of a person did not cause much damage to the territory in its time.
What can you see
Most of the park is occupied by prairie and jungle, 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 car trips have scattered along it, most of the park remains still unexplored and hides a lot of secrets.
Traditionally, tourists come to the Everglades to see alligators. Any reptile likes to sit in the shade of tall trees that grow along the trails. Many people do not expect to see an alligator right in the middle of a walking road, therefore, to avoid unnecessary stress, signs are placed throughout the park in dangerous zones that warn tourists about a possible personal meeting with alligators and crocodiles. It is necessary to drive in a car in the park very carefully and not exceed the speed, as often reptiles, feeling themselves masters of the situation, crawl out onto the road and completely block the path.
Another inhabitant of the national park that you need to prepare for a meeting is the blue herons. In the Everglades, they meet 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, the Everglades offer boat and bike rides. Both can be rented right in the park. In addition, there are canoe rentals that allow you to ride along the rivers of the national park at an affordable price and enjoy the gorgeous views. 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 park's landscape.
Camp for tourists
The Everglades National Park is a vast, multi-hectare wilderness area, 90% of which has not undergone any economic treatment. 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. There is a small camp on the territory of the park 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 the stages of development and existence in the world of people.
History of the park
Earlier, throughout the entire existence of mankind, various Indian tribes 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 marshland, 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.
Decades after decades went like this, and it was only in 1934 that the law was 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 to the territory were practically not allowed: only those who were able to help preserve 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 all comers.
Today, more than two thousand various plants grow on the territory of the park, which protect many animals and birds from the sun, wind and rain. Some of their species are represented only in 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 the Shark River, mammals are very rare guests, as it is inhabited mainly by alligators and crocodiles, who do not mind eating 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, with a length of six meters.
The national park is also surprising 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 here side by side with 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, deforestation and turn the Everglades National Park into agricultural land. However, the park is protected by UNESCO, which makes it absolutely inviolable for any big bumps.
And yet, there are certain problems with it: general pollution of the territories, environmental degradation, melting of glaciers - all this did not pass without leaving a trace for the Everglades. Nevertheless, the government and patrons are doing everything to keep the park in perfect condition. Look at alligators, feed the birds, enjoy the magical nature and interact with wild mammals, go fishing or go canoeing down the river. The Everglades know no boundaries.
Having visited the Everglades National Park once, 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.
