CONGAREE SWAMP NATIONAL MONUMENT

natural area in central South Carolina, U.S., about 20 miles (30 km) southeast of Columbia. Authorized in 1976, the monument has an area of 35 square miles (90 square km). Congaree Swamp is the largest area of virgin Southern bottomland hardwoods remaining in the United States. The monument consists of an alluvial floodplain on the meandering Congaree River. Flooding occurs about 10 times a year but lasts only from several days to a month at a time, and for most of the year the area is dry. The tract includes loblolly pine, sweet gum, water tupelo, bald cypress, hickory, and oaksome of record sizeand also rare and endangered species of both plants and animals, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker. Deer, opossums, foxes, feral swine, and bobcats are found in the swamp forest. Access to the park is by trail or boat; canoeing is a popular activity.