The Adirondack Park

Geography

located in northeastern New York;

the largest park in the contiguous US;

S = 6.1 million acres;

a half of the park is private and the other one belongs to all the people of NY

until ~1720: was originally inhabited by Mohawk First Nation;

1864: deforestation could lead to total “desertification”

1892: created by the State of New York as a “forever wild” forest preserve

•foot trails: 2.000 miles;

•campsites: 35;

•lakes and ponds: 2.300 (200 which are at least 200 sq. miles);

•rivers: 1.500 miles;

•brooks and streams: 30.000 miles;

•mountains: 8 sq. miles (>2.000 high peak mountains, >40 high peak mountains >4.000 ft);

•animals: >50 species;

•birds: >220 species;

•reptiles and amphibians: >30 species.

•fish: 66 species.

the highest peak is Mt. Marcy (5.344 ft)

old rocks, new mountains

English Adirondacks ← Mohawk ratirontaks (‘they eat trees’)

the mountains were named ‘Adirondacks’ in 1838 by Ebenezer Emmons