Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, USA

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Protecting an island wilderness. Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA

Along the southernmost stretch of the USA's Atlantic coast in the state of Georgia are several barrier islands, formed when sand is deposited parallel to the coast. Cumberland Island is the largest of them, about 17.5 miles in length. The island has been inhabited for thousands of years, from indigenous populations to colonial-era settlements that included a large slave population. In the 20th century, Cumberland was a holiday getaway for wealthy industrialists, before it became a protected public land.

About 9,800 acres on the island are protected wilderness, including maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and marshes. It is also home to lots of different animals including armadillos, sea turtles, alligators and herds of feral horses.