United States
Everglades National Park
.jpg?width=1200)
Welcome to Florida! The Everglades is a huge wetland wilderness where a shallow, slow-moving river flows through miles of sawgrass, mangroves, and swamps.
Why is it famous?
It's the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.
It's the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles live side by side.
How was it formed?
Water from Lake Okeechobee flows slowly south in a shallow sheet, barely a foot deep in places.
Over thousands of years, this slow flow created a unique 'river of grass' up to 60 miles wide.
Amazing facts
The Everglades covers about 1.5 million acres of wetlands.
It's home to rare animals like the Florida panther and the West Indian manatee.
Quick facts
- The Everglades covers about 1.5 million acres of wetlands.
- It's home to rare animals like the Florida panther and the West Indian manatee.
- The 'river' is so wide and slow that it takes about a year for water to flow all the way through.
- It's one of the few places on Earth where you can spot both alligators and crocodiles.