Everglades National Park is located in the state of Florida. This park was established in 1934 to protect the quickly vanishing Everglades region.  This national park protects much of what is left of the subtropical wetlands, the Everglades, that are left in Florida.  Everglades National Park is the third-largest national park in the contiguous  48 states.  It is visited on average by one million people each year!  This national park has also been declared an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.  Everglades National Park is different from many other American national parks because it was created to protect a fragile ecosystem instead of being created to protect a unique geographic feature.

The unique wetlands in Everglades National Park are created by a slow-moving river that starts at Lake Okeechobee and flows southwest at about .25 miles (0.40 km) per day into Florida Bay. This park protects the marshland and forest ecosystems around these flowing waters.  Thirty-six different species of animals that are threatened or protected live in this national park.  Some of these animals include: the Florida panther, the American crocodile, and the West Indian manatee. More than 350 different species of birds, 300 different species of fresh and saltwater fish, 40 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles live within Everglades National Park!

There are only two kinds of weather (and seasons) in Everglades National Park: wet and dry. The park’s dry season lasts from December to April.  During this time temperatures range from 53 °F (12 °C) to 77 °F (25 °C) and humidity is low. Since water levels are low at this time, animals group together in central water locations, which provides opportunities for tourists to view the amazing wildlife that lives in the park.  There are an estimated 1,000 crocodiles living in Florida and most of them are in this national park.

If you are interested in seeing amazing wild animals up close and in their natural habitats this American national park should be high on you list of places to visit.