The Florida peninsula is covered with bodies of water. There are more than 11,000 miles of waterways in the state, and more than 7,700 lakes greater than 10 acres. Of those lakes, 35 percent are in central Florida. Central Florida is home to a variety of bodies of water, including rivers, swamps and ocean.
Some of the major lakes in central Florida are Lake Tohopekaliga and East Lake Tohopekaliga, which are part of the Kissimmee Chain of lakes; Lake Underhill and Lake Ivanhoe in the city of Orlando, part of the Butler Chain of Lakes; and Lake Jesup in Seminole County, which is thought to have one of the densest populations of alligators in the state.
The St. Johns River is the major river in central Florida. It is unusual in that it flows north, from Indian River County to Duval County. The Indian River is located in Brevard County, and makes up part of the Intracoastal Waterway.
There are hundreds of swamps, marshes and wetlands areas in central Florida's state parks and forests. The Mosquito Lagoon and Canaveral National Seashore in Brevard County and the Lower Wekeiva River Preserve State Park are just two places that encompass these bodies of water.
Florida's natural springs maintain a year-round temperature of 72 degrees F, making them popular for recreation and wildlife. Blue Springs State Park in Volusia County is a winter home to endangered manatees. Wekeiwa Springs State Park is located in Seminole County
The Eastern part of central Florida borders the Atlantic Ocean. Some people consider the Tampa area part of central Florida; this area on the West Coast borders the Gulf of Mexico.
