Major Water and Landforms of Florida: Everglades, Keys, Beaches, Rivers, Lakes

Water Features

1. Everglades: 1.5M-acre subtropical wetland ("River of Grass"); sawgrass prairies, mangroves, gators, panthers, wading birds. UNESCO Biosphere.
2. Florida Keys: 1,700-island arc off southern tip; coral reefs (only living barrier reef in continental US), world-class diving/fishing.
3. Atlantic Beaches: 580 mi – Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona, Amelia Island.
4. Gulf of Mexico Coast: 770 mi – Panhandle "Emerald Coast" (Destin, Panama City), Tampa Bay, Naples, Ten Thousand Islands.
5. Lake Okeechobee: 730 sq mi – largest lake wholly in lower 48; heart of Everglades hydrology, bass fishing, dike trail.
6. Major Rivers: St. Johns (310 mi, north-flowing), Suwannee (blackwater, springs), Apalachicola (biodiversity hotspot), Caloosahatchee (lake-to-gulf canal).
7. Springs: 1,000+ artesian springs (Silver, Wakulla, Ichetucknee, Weeki Wachee) – 72°F year-round.

Landforms

1. Coastal Lowlands: Flat, sandy, <100 ft elevation; most population.
2. Central Ridge (Lake Wales Ridge): Ancient dunes, 100–300 ft; scrub habitat, citrus, highest peninsular point (Sugarloaf Mt, 312 ft).
3. Panhandle Uplands: Rolling hills, red clay, longleaf pine, highest state point (Britton Hill, 345 ft).
4. Big Cypress Swamp: Western Everglades; cypress domes, orchids, Florida panther range.