Rainbow River, Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida, United States © Michel Roggo/Minden Pictures

Nestled in the northern Gulf Coast of Florida in the United States is Rainbow Springs State Park. This area has served as a natural resource for humans and animals for centuries, with the crystal-clear Rainbow River—flowing through the park—playing a major role. The gently winding waterway is fed by Rainbow Springs, one of Florida"s largest springs. The water that bubbles up here comes from an almost 200,000-hectare area and eventually flows into the Withlacoochee River.