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Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:

Congaree National Park


Natural area, central South Carolina, U.S. Authorized as a national monument in 1976 and as a national park in 2003, it covers 35 sq mi (90 sq km) of alluvial floodplain on the Congaree River. It contains the last significant tract of virgin Southern bottomland hardwoods in the southeastern U.S., including loblolly pine, water tupelo, hickory, and oak, some of record size.

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Columbia Encyclopedia: Congaree National Park,
21,888 acres (8,862 hectares), central S.C., est. as Congaree Swamp National Monument 1976, designated a national park and renamed 2003. Located along the north bank of the meandering Congaree River, the park contains the largest tract of old-growth floodplain forest in North America, a remnant of the southern bottomland forests once found in the SE United States. The diverse, episodically flooded wilderness contains more than 75 species of trees and a variety of animal life, including bobcats, white-tailed deer, wild pigs, flying squirrels, barred owls, eight woodpecker species, and many snake and turtle species. See also National Parks and Monuments (table).


 
Wikipedia: Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
Congaree National Park
US_Locator_Blank.svg
Location South Carolina, USA
Nearest city Columbia
Coordinates 33°47′0″N 80°47′0″W / 33.78333, -80.78333
Area 21,867.02 acres
  (21,116.91 federal)

88.49 km²
Established 10 November 2003
Total visitation 134,045 (in 2006)
Governing body National Park Service

Congaree National Park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. Located in South Carolina, the 22,000 acre (89 km²) site is one of America's smallest national parks. The lush trees growing in this floodplain forest are some of the tallest in the Eastern U.S., forming one of the highest natural canopies remaining in the world. Bald cypress is a common tree in the park. The Congaree River flows through the park. 15,000 acres (60.70 km²) or about 70 percent of the park is designated wilderness area.

Cedar Creek
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Cedar Creek

While largely recognized as a sanctuary for animal and plant life, Congaree National Park features primitive campsites and offers hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and bird watching. Large animals possibly seen in the park include bobcats, black bears, deer, feral pigs, feral dogs, coyotes, and turkeys. Its waters contain interesting creatures like amphibians, turtles, snakes, alligators, and many types of fish like bowfin, largemouth bass, panfish, catfish, and pike. Primitive and backcountry camping is available. Hiking trails are found in the park as well as a 20-mile marked canoe trail on Cedar Creek.

In 1969, the Sierra Club launched a "grass roots" campaign to save this area of old growth forest from private landowners interested in the relatively high timber prices. The result of this campaign was the establishment by Congress of "Congaree Swamp National Monument" on October 18, 1976. It became an International Biosphere Reserve on June 30, 1983. Over two-thirds of the park was designated a wilderness area on October 24, 1988 and it became an Important Bird Area on July 26, 2001. Following an increase in its authorized boundary, it became a national park on November 10, 2003.

Old Growth Forest in Congaree National Park
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Old Growth Forest in Congaree National Park

Most visitors to the park walk along the Boardwalk Loop, an elevated walkway through the swampy environment that protects delicate fungi and plant life at ground level. Boat rides through the swamp are conducted for free every Sunday.

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Coordinates: 33°47′N, 80°47′W


 
 

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Copyrights:

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Congaree National Park" Read more

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