Everglades National Park

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Everglades
Image:LocMap Everglades National Park.png
Designation	National Park
Location	Florida, USA
Nearest City	Miami, Florida
Coordinates	25°45′ N 81°00′ W
Area	1,508,537 acres (6,105 km²) 610,483 ha
Date of Establishment	December 6, 1947
Visitation	1,031,888 (2003)
Governing Body	National Park Service
IUCN category	II National Park

Everglades National Park is a U.S. National Park which preserves the southern portion of the Everglades (all south of Tamiami Trail), but represents only 20 percent of the original wetland area. The Park covers 2,357 mi² (6,105 km²) and is a World Heritage Site. The only highway access to the main part is Florida State Road 9336 and its extension in the park, running 38 miles (61km) from Florida City to the coast at Flamingo. Excluding the main visitor center and some smaller park facilities, there is no development in the park and the park has been designated as Wilderness.

The area was designated a national park on 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 (524,677 hectares) in 2003. The park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on October 24, 1979 and as a Wetland of International Importance on June 4, 1987. However, in 1993 it was placed on the List of World Heritage Sites in danger.

There are a number of car parks and trails within the Park, of which the most famous is the Anhinga trail. This trail allows very close approach to birds such as herons and anhinga. The latter birds often perch on the rails of the boardwalk.

Image:Everglades.jpg