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Lower Atlantic: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina

Tree species are varied: palm, pine, ash, sweet gum, mangrove, hickory, magnolia, and oak, to name only a few. The state also is rich in flowers, such as azalea, dogwood, hibiscus, iris, lily, orchid, bougainvillea, sunflower, camellia, and poinsettia. Florida’s most well-known wild ani- mal is the alligator. In recent decades, the building of houses in wild areas has resulted in news-making encoun- ters between gators and humans. Deer and fox are common. Also seen are black bears, wildcats, and smaller ani- mals, including squirrels, otters, and opossums. Birds flourish, especially in watery regions. These include heron, egret, pelican, and anhinga colonies. More fish species may exist in and around Florida than anywhere else on the planet. Freshwater fish include bass, catfish, bream, and crappie. The sur- rounding seas support fish of all sizes, from marlin and tarpon to sea trout and red snapper. Shellfish also abound here. The state’s prominent natural attraction is the Everglades. It is one

Did You Know?

of the most scientifically studied swamplands in the world. Everglades National Park covers 1.5 million acres (607,028 ha)—and the park is only a fifth of the broader Everglades wet- lands. Florida’s climate is subtropical in the northern and central sections, tropical in the south. Icy conditions and snowfall are uncommon. Although Florida is known for its warm climate, temperatures rarely exceed 100° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius). Its record high temperature is 109°F (43°C), recorded in 1931. Its record low, –2°F Florida is a very popular state among saltwater scuba and snorkel divers. One of the most visited dive sites in the world is the wreck of the freighter Benwood . It lies in shallow waters in the Florida Keys and is home to a col- orful assortment of sea creatures. The Benwood ’s sinking during World War II is a mystery. It collided with another ship, but some historians believe it first was struck by a torpedo.