APALACHEE BAY

arm of the Gulf of Mexico indenting northwestern Florida, U.S., 25 mi (40 km) south of Tallahassee. It receives the Ochlockonee, St. Mark, and Aucilla rivers, and its marshy coast forms St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. In 1528, five boats were built in the bay by Pnfilo de Narvez, a Spanish officer who had decided to abandon his search for wealth in Florida and to set out for Mexico. The bay was named after the Apalachee Indian tribe.