The Everglades
The Everglades
The Everglades is a wholly unique place in the world – there is nowhere else like it. The Everglades is not “just a swamp” – such crude understatements do not befit the majesty of this vast, largely unknown, landscape.
The Everglades, located in South Florida, about one hour south – southwest of Miami, used to be much bigger. Development in Southern Florida devastated a large portion of The Everglades. Highways, subdivisions, agricultural runoff, poisons, and pollution have claimed most of the Everglades. However, the part that has been preserved is truly a natural wonder, and one of the most beautiful parks on the Continental U.S.
The Everglades has been given the honor of being a World Heritage Site, a Wetland of International Importance, and an International Biosphere Reserve. Only here can you find the rare or endangered species of Florida Panther, American Alligator, American Crocodile, River Otter, and the West Indian Manatee. There are an estimated 70 Florida Panthers left in the wild – The Everglades just might be your only chance to see these magnificent felines.
This park is sparsely developed, so if you are looking for first class resorts, theme parks, nightlife, or varied restaurants, this might not be the location you are looking for. Yet if you love nature, and could do without modern appliances (like laptops or constant cell phone service)then The Everglades is surely a site you don’t want to miss. With nature seemingly shrinking all around the world, places like these stress the importance of not developing every square foot of land humans come across.
Perhaps the most popular way of seeing The Everglades is by airboat tours. These flat platforms, with a gigantic fan in the bag, hover and skim the water so as not to damage The Everglades or itself. From these boats you can see the typical previously mentioned creatures of The Everglades, in addition to the bonnet-head shark and the southern stingray, which breeds in the shark river and mangrove forests respectively. Paying the Standard Park admission ($10 per vehicle and good for seven days) will allow you to take all variety of guided tours so that you can make the most out of your wilderness excursion.
The best time to see The Everglades is during the winter months, when it isn’t hot, humid, or ferociously buggy. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing – and the more skin area you can cover, the less exposed area for bugs to nibble on you. Keep an eye out for Alligators – they’re not dangerous if you leave them alone and proceed with caution. Obviously, don’t tease any of the animals – black bears, panthers, crocodiles, and eagles will not take kindly to torment. We also suggest bringing lots of film, and trying to capture The Everglades not just during the day, but also in the early morning hours and at dusk, where the magic of this National Park really comes to life.
Remember, a little preparation can make this superficially ordinary place truly extraordinary. The Everglades is not found anywhere else in the world, and the people who travel to here have the distinction of going where not many have gone before.
Florida Tourists Guide
