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Central Florida has the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf beaches
much like other parts of Florida, but in many other ways it
is distinct and unique. The Florida scrub jay, a bird many Floridians
believe should be our state bird, is found nowhere in the world
except central Florida.
Central Florida is bisected by one of the most unique rivers
in the state and perhaps even the world. First off, the St. Johns is
the longest river in Florida and one of the few in the country to
flow north. The total distance the river drops from its source in
marshes southwest of Melbourne to its mouth in the Atlantic near
Jacksonville is less than 30 feet, or about one inch per mile, making
it one of the "laziest," slowest-moving rivers in the world. Also due
to the fact that it is born in the salty estuary marshes of Indian River
County, passes through salt springs and then receives an infusion of
salt at the mouth, creates a more brackish river. It's the only river in
the country that is home to saltwater stingrays.
Then there are the whooping cranes. There are only three
whooping crane colonies in the United States. Central Florida's Polk,
Osceola and Lake counties are the home of the only non-migratory
flock of whooping cranes. Citrus County is host to the ultralight-led
migratory flock that winters in Chassohowitzka National Wildlife
Refuge near Crystal River.
And then there is... but why not just read the rest of the book to
discover all the things that are uniquely central Florida.
