Often in the paintings of famous artists you can see the swamp. For example, Jacob van Reisdal painted the picture “Swamp” (in 1660), which became a masterpiece of landscape painting. The artist comprehended nature as a symbol of eternity ...
Most likely, with the word “swamp”, like most people, a gloomy, foggy and even uncomfortable area with high humidity pops up in your imagination. And I want to ask: “What is beautiful here? ” However, on our planet there are many not at all gloomy and not terrible swamps. Some of them, on the contrary, are attractive, and, perhaps, they provoke a fabulous mood in someone.
Look at the largest swamps from our selection, and see for yourself that they can be not only gloomy, but also beautiful. And from some it is impossible to take your eyes off!
10. Okenofenoki
Location: USA
Okenofenoki - the largest swamp of North America. In the language of local Aboriginal people means "staggering earth". The name is quite justified, the fact is that it absorbs any roads and buildings in its vicinity. Sounds creepy, doesn't it?
If you intend to travel in the eastern part of the United States, be sure to visit the Okefenoki Protected Marshes. This is a marshy area with unique flora and fauna. Here you can look at alligators, boating, as well as turtles and squirrels, admire the surroundings and, of course, take colorful photographs.
9. Kandaba
Location: Philippines
Once scientists decided to count birds Kandaba, and it turned out that 32 thousand hectares of swamp became a refuge for 80 species of migratory birds! Because of this, the Birds and Eggs festival is held in the Kandaba swamps in the month of February - local residents, dressed as birds, dance as if about to take off.
When the rainy season begins, everything is flooded here, but from November to April, locals grow watermelons and rice.
Peasants peacefully coexist with biologists, as well as with interested travelers, because everyone is interested to see with their own eyes such a variety of birds! In terms of biological diversity, the Kandaba swamp is one of the most interesting.
8. Everglades National Park
Location: USA
Everglades - a place where you can watch live on alligators - bloodthirsty predators. The park is included in the list of wonders of the world, is protected by UNESCO. If you travel across the USA - it is obligatory to visit! There is a park in the south of the Florida peninsula.
First of all, the Everglades is famous for its swamps, where a wide variety of birds and other creatures of the globe live. The marshes of the national park are called quiet grassy rivers - they really inspire calm and immerse in a meditative state, you can get there by boat, forgetting about the bustle of the city. Elliot pines grow among swamps!
7. Atchafalaya Basin
Location: USA
Pool or swamp Atchafalaya - The largest wetland in the United States. Unique among Louisiana basins because it has a growing delta system with stable wetlands.
Not surprisingly, Atchafalaya is on the list of the most beautiful wetlands in the world. The huge cypress trees forming gloomy corridors, of course, cannot but attract attention.
Among these corridors you can move around by boat, which is what those who wish to get to know this area closer do. The state of Louisiana, where the swamp is located, is known for its unusual and even somewhat fantastic views.
6. Bangweulu
Location: Africa
From the swamp Bangweulu impossible to look away! Zambia is a country of swamps, it has a large and unique water system that combines Lake Bangweulu, swamp and plateau. The basis, of course, is the lake, but we are interested in the swamp.
"The place where water meets the sky"- this is how Bangweulu is translated. These swamps have their own legend - according to myths, they hide in themselves a beast - the horned monster Emel-Ntouk, which looks like a huge rhino. Local residents are convinced that he can even deal with an elephant, by the way, from the language of lingala, it translates as "elephant killer". This mysterious creature is described as a mammal, then as a reptile.
5. Okavango
Location: Africa
Okavango located in Botswana. This swamp is the largest inland delta of the planet, however, it does not have a drain into the oceans. On the wetland live animals and birds.
This is not to say that the Okavango flora is very diverse, but still there are many interesting plants here. The upper part of the delta, for example, is covered with dense thickets of reeds, and water lilies are located in vast water areas.
Many animals in the vast delta have found refuge: crocodiles, hippos, as well as antelopes perfectly adapted to life here. Of course, predators also live here: hyenas, leopards, etc., but in the lower reaches of the Okavango.
4. Manchak
Location: USA
Manchak called "ghost swamp". Among these muddy waters and terrible trees, many became victims ... But, despite this, many tourists want to "tickle your nerves", And go to a terribly attractive area.
The whole territory is really terrifying ... When you find yourself in this place - goosebumps run on your skin, and your head is spinning. Just imagine: somewhere there are no trees, but where they are - everything looks pretty intimidating, the water is blue and black ...
When you find yourself in the territory of Manchak, it seems that death awaits you. The fact is that alligators live on the territory of Manchak - once escaped slaves hid here, but none of them survived.
There are many legends around Manchak, and according to one of them, the witch who was caught and held in these swamps put a monstrous curse on Manchak, and since then all the witch's words began to be embodied in reality.
3. Vasyugan marshes
Location: Siberia
Vasyugan marshes - one of the largest in the world. They are a very interesting natural phenomenon, characterized by a variety of landscapes, which, of course, are pleasant to watch from a helicopter.
In 2007, Vasyugan marshes were included in the UNESCO list. They arose about 10 thousand years ago and have been increasing ever since. Marshes are home to numerous local fauna, rare animals live here: peregrine falcon, golden eagle, reindeer, etc.
Flora also includes endangered plant species, from wild plants common: blueberries, cloudberries, cranberries. There are many lakes on the territory of Vasyugan marshes, and a large number of rivers and streams flow here.
2. Sudd
Location: Africa
Giant swamp Sudd located in the White Nile Valley. Oddly enough, people live on the territory (the main inhabitants are the Nuer tribe), oddly enough, but it is it that is the most fertile in South Sudan, the rest of the territory consists of deserts and arid plateaus.
Many birds and mammals found refuge in the territory. The local flora is also diverse here. It is almost impossible to move through the swamps - neither swimming, nor land transport. Due to such conditions, it is difficult for scientists to get here, so there are still many “white spots”. Sudd extends to 120 thousand km. - the numbers are simply amazing!
1. Pantanal
Location: Brazil
Our selection is completed by the largest swamp Pantanalformed due to a large tectonic depression, which was filled with water. There is nothing surprising in the fact that on 3 sides it is limited by cliffs.
The climate has a huge impact on the swamp - when it rains in summer, the hollow fills with water, which is why the swamp turns into a huge lake, only excessively overgrown.
In winter, Pantanal looks very inconspicuous - swamp mud mixed with vegetation, in some places diluted with small rivers, lakes and grassy areas.
The plant world of Pantanal is very diverse: trees and shrubs grow here. There are also unique giant water lilies, it is interesting that they are able to hold a person (if he does not weigh a lot). The animal world is also diverse: at least 1000 vertebrates, fish, reptiles, etc. live here.