A rich collection of wildlife, from alligators to panthers, calls this freshwater swamp home. The Everglades is 97 kilometers (60 miles) wide and 160 kilometers (100 miles) long. Called the " River of Grass," this freshwater swamp is actually a wide, slow-moving river flowing from the Kissimmee River near Orlando to the Straits of Florida. The Everglades, in Florida, is one of the largest swamp complexes in the United States. The earliest recorded written language and the first recorded use of the wheel occurred around these swamps. The Fertile Crescent is recognized as the birthplace of civilization and the site of the first cities. ![]() The freshwater swamps between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in the Middle East are so rich in biodiversity that the area is called the " Fertile Crescent." The abundant wildlife, agricultural opportunities, and ability for communication and trade fostered human technological development. ![]() The shadowy tree root system and cypress knobs provide a rich, sheltered habitat for nesting birds, as well as fish, amphibians and reptiles. These animals are adapted to fluctuating water levels. Alligators, frogs, and many other animals live in these swamps. They are outgrowths of the trees' root systems. Sometimes poking as much as 4 meters (13 feet) above the water are angular knobs called cypress knees. Shrubs and bushes may grow beneath the trees. Spanish moss may hang from the branches, and tiny plants called duckweed may cover the waters surface. In many freshwater swamps in the southeastern United States, cypress and tupelo trees grow. In the wet soil, water-tolerant vegetation grows and helps maintain a moist, swampy condition. Rain and seasonal flooding cause water levels to fluctuate. Freshwater Swamps Freshwater swamps form around lakes and streams. Some are former lakes or ponds overtaken by trees and shrubs. They vary in size from isolated prairie potholes to huge coastal salt marshes. Swamps exist in many kinds of climates and on every continent except Antarctica. ![]() They are neither totally land nor totally water. Freshwater swamps are commonly found inland, while saltwater swamps are usually found along coastal areas. They are often named for the type of trees that grow in them, such as cypress swamps or hardwood swamps. There are two main types of swamps: freshwater swamps and saltwater swamps. A swamp is an area of land permanently saturated, or filled, with water.
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