D-DRY+TORTUGAS+NATIONAL+PARK

//**Dry Tortugas National Park**//



**Park Information:**
 * //Located 68 [|Nautical Miles] West of [|Kest Wey, Florida] or 70 Miles West in the Gulf Of Mexico //
 * //Size: 64,700 miles[[image:location.gif width="175" height="188"]] //
 * //Climate: //
 * //Temperatures range from mid-50s to mid-80s //
 * //Winter season (December- March); windy with rough seas //
 * //Tropical strom season (June- November); hot, humid weather with calm seas //
 * //Best to visit anytime between Novemeber and April //
 * //Hot and humid during wet summer season; insects swarm //
 * //Found in the Southwest region of the U.S. off the coast of Florida //
 * //80,000 visitors / year //
 * //Popular sites: //
 * //[|Fort Jefferson] //
 * //[|Garden Key] //


 * 

Park History: **



Dry Tortugas became a National Park in 1992. The land was first discovered in 1513 by a European man, [|Ponce de Leon], who named the island "Las Tortugas," or "The Turtles." It received this name based on the abundance of turtles found on the islands. "Dry" was later added to the islands name to warn mariners of the lack of a fresh watter supply. From the 1600's to the 1700's the area was first used by pirates as a base to attack merchant shipping in the Gulf. In 1825 a lighthouse was built in Garden Key to provide a warning to shippers about the dangerous reefs around the islands. The park is considered a historical site, partially due to the fact that during the Civil War, Fort Jefferson was used as a military prison. The fort was soon abandoned in 1874, and then in 1935 proclaimed a National Monument by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. On October 25, 1992 the Monument was redesignated as Dry Tortugas National Park to help protect both its natural and historical features. Some of these natural features include the endangered [|green sea turtle], and threatened [|loggerhead turtle].




 * Environmental Issues:**

The weather at Dry Tortugas is a [|subtropical climate]. Temperatures range anywhere from the mid-50's to mid-80s. Weather patterns change quite often, with calm seas at one point, and rough the next.One of the biggest ecosystems at Dry Tortugas is the ocean [|ecosystem]. The ocean is home to tropical fish, loggerhead turtles, green sea turtles,spiny lobsters, and various sea plants. These creatures and their homes are trying to be preserved and unharmed by all visitors. Some of the natural land features under preservation include historic shipwrecks and all of their cargo, as well as artifacts located around the park. Laws have been created to protect these historical land features. Other animals and plants located at the park include a wide variety of birds and other marine life. Plants include turtle grass, cactus plants, and abundant amounts of flowers and sea plants. The air quality is clear and almost transparent; there is hardly any pollution. Waters are clear and quality is montired daily.




 * Recreational Activities:**
 * [|Snorkeling]
 * Swimming
 * [|Beach combing]
 * [|Camping]
 * Picnicking
 * [|Fishing]
 * Boating
 * [|Diving]
 * [|Dolphin swims]






 * There is a $5.00 entrance fee to the park and camping is $3.00 per person per day. Dry Tortugas is opened year round.**





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__ Works Cited __

Uhler, John. "Dry Tortugas National Park Information." //Dry Tortugas// //National Park//. 2007. Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://www.dry.tortugas.national-park.com/>.

"Dry Tortugas National Park." //How Stuff Works//. 2010. Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/dry-tortugas-national-park-ga.htm>.

"Fast Cat to Dry Tortugas National Park." //Sunny Days.// 2010. Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://www.sunnydayskeywest.com/fastcat.htm>.

"Dry Tortugas." //nps.gov//. 2010. Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm>.

"Dry Tortugas National Park." //Destination 360//. 2010. Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/florida/florida-keys/dry-tortugas-national-park>.

"Fort Jefferson: Dry Tortugas National Park." //Fort// //Jefferson//. 2010. Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://www.fortjefferson.com/home.htm>. "Camping at the Dry Tortugas." //Dry Tortugas// //Park// //Info & Reservations//. 2010. Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://www.drytortugasinfo.com/camping-information.html>.

"Human Dimensions of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems." //Human Dimensions//. 2010. Web. 21 Feb 2010. [].

Sweet, David. "Exotic Camping Destinations." //About.com//. 2010. Web. 23 Feb 2010. [].

Ritter, Michael. "Humid Subtropical Climate." //The Physical Environment//. 2010. Web. 23 Feb 2010. [].

Leco, Mike. "Key West Florida." //USA Tourist//. Web. 23 Feb 2010. < http://www.usatourist.com/english/places/florida/keywest.html>.