Biscayne National Park
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Missing image LocMap_Biscayne_National_Park.png Image:LocMap_Biscayne_National_Park.png | |
| Designation | National Park |
| Location | Florida USA |
| Nearest City | Miami, Florida |
| Coordinates | Template:Coor dm |
| Area | 172,924 acres 699.80 km² |
| Date of establishment | June 28, 1980 |
| Visitation | 539,307 (2003) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| IUCN category | II (National Park) |
Biscayne National Park is a U.S. National Park located in southern Florida. The park preserves Biscayne Bay, one of the top scuba diving areas in the United States. Ninety-five percent of the park is water. In addition, the shore of the bay is the location of an extensive mangrove forest. The park covers 207 mi˛ (700 km˛).
Elliott Key, the park's largest island, is considered the first of the true Florida Keys being formed from coral reef. The islands farther north in the park are transitional islands of coral and sand.
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History
- Biscayne National Monument was established October 18, 1968
- The Monument was promoted to National Park status on June 28, 1980
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Attractions
The major attraction of the park is scuba diving or snorkeling on the coral reef inside the bay. It is also possible to take a glass-bottom boat tour of the bay, or rent kayaks to explore the bay and the islands (Florida Keys) in it.