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Surrounded by the 10,000 Islands—a labyrinth of mangrove islets—Everglades City thrives amid a dynamic ecosystem abundant with wildlife, including manatees, dolphins, and a myriad of bird species. The local fishing industry has deep roots in the economic life of the area, with Everglades City once being hailed as the "stone crab capital of the world." Before regulations curtailed hunting and fishing practices, locals relied on the natural bounty of the region, including fishing and crab harvesting, maintaining a close-knit relationship with the land and waters.