Location Located between the border of North Carolina and Tennessee

Weather/Climate Moderate climate Mild winters and hot, humid summers

Landforms Mountains, rocks

Waterways Waterfalls can be found on nearly every river and stream in the park

Vegetation Spring Wildflowers 5 forest types dominate the Great Smoky Mountains. Together these forests sport more than 130 species of trees and 4,000 other plant species

Animals Bears, deer, elk, birds The Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world’s temperate zone Most people go in hopes of seeing a black bear

Environmental Issues Air quality (very polluted), water quality faces threats from man’s civilization, park visitors, and nature Acidic deposition and acid bedrock are also hurting the water Pests and disease are threats to the ecosystem

History/Culture World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life and it’s remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture This is America’s most visited national park

Preservation Efforts The air quality—trying to get the pollution out of it The park is an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site. The United Nations program is to recognize and encourage preservation of the world’s great cultural and biological areas.