The Big Bend of Florida is an informal geographic region located in North Florida where the Florida Panhandle transitions into the Florida Peninsula, south and east of Tallahassee, which is the area's principal city
. It stretches along the Gulf Coast from the western end of Apalachee Bay down the marshy coast to Anclote Key, covering parts of several counties including Dixie, Jefferson, Levy, Taylor, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, and Wakulla
. This region is known for its vast woodlands, marshlands, and undeveloped coastline, making it one of the most extensive stretches of undeveloped coast in the contiguous United States
. The Big Bend Coast features salt marshes, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, oyster reefs, and numerous freshwater springs, with no barrier islands along much of the coast
. Key rivers flowing through the Big Bend include the Suwannee, Apalachicola, St. Marks, Withlacoochee, and others, many of which have subterranean stretches
. The area includes natural features like the Wakulla-Leon Sinks cave system and the Alapaha Rise spring, and it is home to a variety of wildlife and protected natural areas such as parts of the Apalachicola National Forest
. In summary, the Big Bend region is located along the Gulf Coast of northern Florida, bridging the Panhandle and Peninsula, centered around Tallahassee and extending along the coast from Apalachee Bay to Anclote Key, encompassing a largely rural and ecologically rich area
