Recession of Florida Everglades from 1800 to 2000
Lake
Okeechobee
Atlantic
Ocean
Gulf of Mexico
Southern Florida
1800 everglades extent
2000 everglades extent
Elevation in Meters
0 - 13
Whitewater
Bay
14 - 31
32 - 55
Florida Bay
56 - 110
0
25,000
50,000
Meters
Beginning in the mid 1800's settlers have attempted
to drain and control water flow in Southern Florida.
These efforts were part of a desire to build
settlements and agricultural farms in the area. As a
result the vast everglades ecosystem which once
covered over 28,500 sq. km (11,000 sq. miles) has
receeded to less than half its original size. This map
is a visual representation of that recession.
Sources: DEM: USGS;
1800's extent: Florida, by George Cram. Compliments of National Map Company, online at http://scholar.library.miami.edu
:
Florida
µ
Map by Kim Schmitkons