View source for Everglades National Park

{{Infobox national park
| name         = Everglades National Park
| image        = Everglades_airboat.jpg
| caption      = Airboat tour through the Everglades
| location     = Florida, United States
| coordinates  = 25.2866°N, 80.8987°W
| area         = 1,508 sq mi (3,905 km²)
| established  = December 6, 1947
| visitors     = 1.1 million (2023)
| website      = https://www.nps.gov/ever
}}
'''Everglades National Park''' is located in southern [[Florida]] and protects the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Spanning over **1.5 million acres**, the park is a unique ecosystem of **sawgrass marshes**, **mangrove forests**, **coastal estuaries**, and **freshwater sloughs**.

Established on **December 6, 1947**, it is a **UNESCO World Heritage Site**, a **Wetland of International Importance**, and an **International Biosphere Reserve**.

== Ecosystems and Terrain ==
The Everglades is often referred to as a “'''River of Grass''',” slowly flowing southward from Lake Okeechobee toward Florida Bay.

Main habitats include:
* '''Freshwater sloughs''' and '''marshes'''
* '''Mangrove and cypress forests'''
* '''Coastal prairies'''
* '''Marine estuaries'''

== Unique Wildlife ==
Everglades is home to a rich variety of species, many of which are endangered:
* **American alligator** and **American crocodile**
* **Florida panther**
* **West Indian manatee**
* Over **350 bird species**, including **roseate spoonbills**, **anhingas**, and **wood storks**

== Popular Activities ==
* **Airboat tours** (outside park boundaries)
* Wildlife watching on trails and boardwalks
* Canoeing and kayaking through mangrove tunnels
* Biking the **Shark Valley Tram Road**
* Camping in frontcountry and backcountry areas

== Notable Areas ==
* **Shark Valley** – popular for biking and wildlife viewing
* **Anhinga Trail** – excellent spot for birdwatching and gator sightings
* **Flamingo Visitor Center** – gateway to marine environments and backcountry
* **Ten Thousand Islands** – maze of mangrove islets, great for paddling

== Environmental Challenges ==
* Threatened by **invasive species** (like Burmese pythons)
* Impacted by water diversion, urban development, and climate change
* Major **restoration efforts** are ongoing under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)

== Fun Facts ==
* The only place in the world where '''alligators and crocodiles coexist'''
* The park protects '''nine different ecosystems'''
* A vital recharge area for South Florida’s '''freshwater aquifer'''

== See Also ==
* [[National Parks in the United States]]
* [[Florida]]
* [[Wetlands]]
* [[Everglades restoration]]
* [[Mangrove ecosystems]]
* [[Wildlife of the United States]]