Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park
	Cedar Creek
Location:	South Carolina , United States
Next city:	Columbia, South Carolina
Surface:	107.81 km²
Founding:	October 18, 1976
Visitors:	145,929 (2018)
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Congaree National Park , located in South Carolina , covers over 107 square kilometers and contains the last large population of ancient hardwood forests in the United States . The lush trees growing in a marshland are among the highest forests in the eastern United States and form one of the highest natural roof areas in the world.

The park was established in 1976 and declared a national park on November 10, 2003. It is an important protected area for plants and animals and offers the visitor easy camping sites, hiking trails and the possibility of canoeing and bird watching.

history

Congaree Indians settled in what is now the park when Hernando de Soto roamed the region in search of gold in 1540. The Spaniards gave up their last posts around 1570. In 1698, however, the Congaree were hit by an epidemic of smallpox brought in by European settlers.

The King of England granted land rights until 1776, from which time the state, which was part of the newly founded USA, claimed this itself. In 1786 the first ferry was built across the river. Between 1839 and 1841, dams were built in the north-west and south-west of the swamp with the use of slaves. Until around 1860 attempts were made to open up the land for cultivation and grazing. In particular, the bald cypress , here called Bald Cypress , became a target for loggers. From 1895 to 1905, the Santee River Cypress Lumber Company , owned by Francis Beidler, acquired much of the land. But the impact was only worthwhile where navigable rivers were available. After about ten years, the company was given up due to the difficult transport conditions and the extreme humidity.

When lumber prices rose sharply in 1969 and private landowners considered plans to resume logging, many citizens resisted with the support of the Sierra Club . In 1974 the area was elevated to a National Natural Landmark , and in 1976 Congress approved the establishment of the Congaree Swamp National Monument . However, Hurricane Hugo in 1989 caused severe damage, especially under the tallest trees. The numerous fallen trunks, however, offered new biotopes, so that the number of animal species, especially insects, reptiles, birds and bats, but also that of fungi, increased sharply.

On June 30, 1983, the Congaree Swamp National Monument was elevated to an International Biosphere Reserve. In July 2001 it became a globally important bird sanctuary and on November 10, 2003 it became the 57th national park.

literature

Liz Almlie: Seeing History in a Wilderness Landscape: Valuing Cultural Resources During the Establishment of Congaree National Park, South Carolina , University of South Carolina, 2010. ( online )

Web links

Commons : Congaree National Park - Collection of Images, Videos, and Audio Files