Part 2/10:
The Everglades National Park is not the sole representation of the greater Everglades ecosystem, which actually stretches up to central Florida and includes crucial areas such as the Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee. Defined by its subtropical wilderness, the Everglades rely on a unique hydrological system. Water flows incredibly slowly across vast expanses, forming a broad, shallow plane rather than confined channels. This flat landscape, with an elevation change of only 12 feet over more than 100 miles, allows water to meander slowly, playing a critical role in maintaining the delicate biodiversity of the region.