# Alternative Text Description for USACE Ports ## TABLE OF CONTENTS - Map Overview - Geographic Context - Key Insights - Visual Elements - Symbol Guide - Additional Information - Data Context ## MAP OVERVIEW This map displays US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) port locations throughout the state of Florida. The map shows the spatial distribution of port facilities across the state, including both coastal and inland waterway locations. The ports are represented by uniform red symbols with anchor icons, providing a comprehensive view of Florida's USACE-managed port infrastructure. ## GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT The map covers the entire state of Florida, from the panhandle region in the northwest to the Florida Keys in the south. Major cities labeled on the map include Jacksonville on the northeast coast, Orlando in the central region, Tampa on the west coast, and Miami in the southeast. The map extends northward to show portions of neighboring states including Georgia and Alabama, with cities like Dothan, Albany, and Valdosta visible. The Gulf of America borders Florida's western and northwestern coastline, while the Atlantic Ocean borders the eastern coast. The Straits of Florida are labeled at the southern extent of the map. ## KEY INSIGHTS USACE ports are concentrated primarily along Florida's extensive coastline, with the highest density of facilities occurring in four major regions: the panhandle area, the Jacksonville metropolitan area on the northeast coast, the Tampa Bay region on the west coast, and the densely populated southeast corridor from Palm Beach through Miami and extending into the Florida Keys. A notable linear pattern of ports follows the entire eastern coastline from Jacksonville southward through the Keys. The western coastline shows significant port concentration around Tampa and scattered facilities along the Gulf of America coast. Limited inland port facilities appear in the northern panhandle region, while the interior of the state shows minimal port activity, reflecting Florida's coastal-focused maritime infrastructure. ## VISUAL ELEMENTS ### USACE Ports This layer represents US Army Corps of Engineers port facilities throughout Florida, including information about facility characteristics, cargo-handling capabilities, and operational details. ### USACE Port Locations (red anchor symbols) **Appearance:** Small red symbols featuring anchor icons distributed across the map. **Distribution:** Ports appear predominantly along Florida's Atlantic and Gulf of America coastlines, with particular concentrations in urban areas. The distribution follows the state's shoreline closely, with very few inland locations. **Notable locations:** Major concentrations occur in the Jacksonville area on the northeast coast, where ports cluster densely along the St. Johns River and Atlantic coastline. The Tampa Bay region shows a significant grouping of port facilities. The southeast coast displays an almost continuous string of ports from Palm Beach southward through Fort Lauderdale and Miami, continuing through the Florida Keys. The panhandle region, particularly around the western portion, contains numerous port facilities. Additional notable concentrations appear around Cape Coral and Fort Myers on the southwest coast, and along the Space Coast near Palm Bay and Melbourne. **Spatial patterns:** The ports form distinct linear patterns following Florida's coastline, particularly evident along the Atlantic shore and through the Keys. Clustering occurs in major metropolitan areas and natural harbors. The interior of the state remains largely devoid of port facilities, with port distribution reflecting access to navigable waterways and established shipping channels. The pattern suggests a strong correlation between urban centers and port infrastructure. ## SYMBOL GUIDE - **Red anchor icon:** Represents a USACE port facility location in Florida ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This map focuses exclusively on US Army Corps of Engineers port facilities and does not represent all maritime facilities in Florida. The ports shown include various facility types such as docks, fleeting areas, and locks and dams. Each port location represents a facility with documented infrastructure including cargo-handling equipment, berthing space, and various operational characteristics. The uniform symbology does not distinguish between different types of facilities, sizes, or operational capacities. Users should note that the map shows the geographic distribution of USACE ports but does not convey information about the relative importance, size, or activity levels of individual facilities. ## DATA CONTEXT **Data Source:** The data is maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers and contains comprehensive information about port facilities including location descriptions, street addresses, facility types, cargo-handling equipment, water depth, berthing space, ownership and operator information, commodities handled, transportation connections, and facility operational dates. Collection of data is performed on a rotational basis to ensure on-site accuracy at each facility. This dataset represents an update to the acport_2019 layer. Source layer name: ACPORT_2020. **Definition Query:** No definition query or filter criteria was applied to this dataset. All USACE port locations in Florida are displayed. **Scale Information:** The map shows a statewide view appropriate for understanding the overall distribution of USACE ports across Florida. This scale level is suitable for regional planning and general overview purposes but does not provide detailed local context for individual facilities. **Coordinate System:** NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087). **Time Period of Content:** The data represents port facilities as of 2020, updated from the 2019 dataset version. **Limitations:** The map shows only USACE port facilities and does not include privately operated ports or other maritime facilities not managed by the Corps of Engineers. The uniform symbology does not convey differences in facility characteristics, operational capacity, or activity levels. The rotational data collection method means that individual facility information may vary in currency. **Map Coverage:** The map covers the complete state of Florida and portions of neighboring states (Georgia and Alabama) for geographic context. The extent includes Florida's panhandle in the northwest, the entire peninsula, and the Florida Keys chain extending southwest into the Straits of Florida. --- The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.