Bound by the Nassau River, the Atlantic Ocean, and the St. Johns River, the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve protects much of the surrounding water and undeveloped land. Salt marsh, coastal hammock, tidal creeks, and sea and marsh islands make up most of the 46,000-acre National Park site. Human history here begins 6,000 years ago with the native Timucuans, and Native American, French, Spanish, English, African-American, and American peoples all had a stake in this place. Settlements, forts, earthworks, and plantations trace centuries of cultural melding and strife in this corner of northeast Florida.