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Florida is well known for its diverse array of theme parks and attractions. Orlando in particular is a popular tourist spot with both Americans and overseas visitors, from the huge Walt disney world resort to the marine delights of SeaWorld, Orlando's amusement parks are counted among the world's best. If you've already experienced all that Orlando has to offer and you're keen to sample the thrills of theme parks outside Florida's capital, head towards tampa on the state's west coast, where you'll find Busch Gardens Africa - a truly unique theme park!

Busch Gardens Africa, also known as Busch Gardens tampa Bay, is a theme park that is set in nineteenth century Africa - a world away from the offerings of Disney world. Originally opened in 1959 as a hospitality facility for visitors to the tampa Anheuser-Brewery, the park continued to develop after the manufacturing plant closed down many years later. Today, Busch Gardens Africa is famous for its tropical landscape, exotic animals and thrilling rides, making it one of Florida's leading zoological attractions.

one of Busch Gardens' hallmark rides is the Serengeti Express, a replica steam train that runs along the rear of the park complex and makes stops at its Nairobi, Congo and Stanleyville areas. Additionally, the Skyride shuttles guests between Nairobi and the Stanleyville/Congo border areas - so visitors to the park have a variety of options when it comes to getting from one place to another.

In the Stanleyville section of the park, you'll find Busch Gardens' iconic ride ShreiKra - a 90 foot vertical drop roller coaster and one of only two of its kind in the United States. If this isn't quite your style, head towards the Congo area, where you'll find the 143-foot tall Kumba rollercoaster. Since November 2006, the Congo area of Busch Gardens tampa Bay has been under redevelopment and looks likely to be re-opened under the name 'Jungala'.

Moreover, the Timbuktu area of Busch Gardens tampa Bay is themed after the vibrant and bustling bazaars of Africa, while the Egypt area creates an authentic Egyptian marketplace feel. Here, you'll also find a replica of the tomb of King Tutankhamen, as well as Montu - a 150-foot rollercoaster.

Of course, rollercoasters aren't all that Busch Gardens Africa is about and animal exhibits make up a large part of the amusement park. The Serengeti Plain, for instance, is a 29-acre animal habitat that comprises a free roaming home for a number of animals, including the zebra, giraffe, bongo, addaz, East African crowned crane and addra gazelle. And fans of primates will adore the Myombe Reserve - a three-acre home in the parks' Nairobi section which acts as the home of six lowland gorillas and nine chimpanzees.

If you're keen to visit the delights of Busch Gardens Africa in tampa Bay, you'll find a variety of flights to Tampa from the UK and other global locations. What's more, if Busch Gardens tampa Bay strikes a chord with you, your friends or your family, why not take your next holiday in Busch Gardens Europe - located in Williamsburg, Virginia. And while you're there, don't forget to enjoy what the original Anheuser-Brewery made Busch Gardens famous for to begin with - beer!

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer from Scotland.

Evergreen trees and shrubs are generally more expensive than their counterparts, although many feel that they are well worth the extra expense not only for their year-round beauty, but also their reliability and longevity. Evergreens can range all the way from broadleaved shrubs like rhododendron to the tall pines and spruces that many people think of as simply "evergreens".

Perhaps the most common of evergreen trees is the pine. It's noted for its long, soft needles and its rapid growth. In fact, they often attain 60 to 80 ft. maturity very quickly.Red pine is popular as well and useful for creating textured backgrounds and windbreaks. The Ponderosa pine is a more compact tree that is often used for wind protection and ornamental purposes. The Austrian or black pine, with its spreading branches is very commonly used in the Midwest.

Perhaps the most widely planted evergreen that is used for a windbreak is the Norway spruce tree. It grows very fast, it's very hardy, has short dark green needles, and is shaped like a pyramid. The Black Hills spruce tree is also very tough and resistant to drought. It grows much slower than the Norway spruce but can still achieve a height of 40 ft. in time.

White spruce on the other hand, can mature close to 60 to 70 ft. in height and is often used in landscaping designs. colorado blue spruce is generally hardy, however it does suffer some in extreme heat and drought conditions.

Red Cedar is perhaps the most popular of the evergreen Cedar trees. It's often used as an ornamental tree for both hedges and windbreaks. It tends to be very tough and hardy, and takes winter very well.

Perhaps the best overall Evergreen tree for windbreaks and screening is the Douglas fir tree. It's hardy and drought resistant, grows fast, has a pyramid shape, and looks great in most landscape designs. The Balsam fir, which is also known as the Christmas tree, is well-known for its fragrance and unique appearance. On the other hand, the white fir tree has an attractive silver color instead.

The Juniper family of Evergreen trees is often used in planting, with the tall types such as the upright Juniper being used as a textured background, and the spreading types like the Pfitzer juniper being used for groundcover and edgings.

Yew, has thick glossy needles and upward reaching branches, and can be used as both a shrub and a tree. In fact, they can even grow well in sun and shade, making it one of the most versatile evergreens.

Evergreens as a whole can be adversely affected by hot, dry weather conditions and need to be watered every couple of weeks or so at this time. Be sure to water it enough so that the moisture will reach deep into the ground at least 6 in. or so. Applying a layer of mulch in dry weather can also help protect against moisture loss during this period.

It's a good idea to prune evergreens in the late spring just before the new buds appear. And in the late fall give them a good deep watering to help prevent the branches drying out and cracking under the weight of snow or the force of wind during the winter.

As you can see, there are a lot of varieties of evergreen trees that accomplish many different tasks in a home landscaping design. Hopefully this article will help you choose the one that will work best for your home and help you care for it properly too.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find free landscaping ideas and front yard landscaping ideas by visiting our Home Improvement website.