St. Lucie County occupies approximately 572 square miles on the southeast coast of Florida, bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and shaped by the waterways that run through it. The Indian River Lagoon defines the county’s eastern edge, while the North Fork and South Fork of the St. Lucie River drain the interior wetlands. Barrier islands, including portions of Hutchinson Island, shelter the lagoon from the open ocean and provide some of the county’s most ecologically sensitive habitat. For a deeper understanding of these coastal systems, visit Treasure Coast Ecosystems, and for the geological forces that shaped this terrain, see Florida Geology.
The county’s interior was historically dominated by pine flatwoods, scrub, and freshwater marshes — the latter exemplified by the Savannas that give the state park its name. Much of this landscape has been developed since the mid-twentieth century, but protected areas like Savannas Preserve State Park offer glimpses of the original terrain.
For places and landmarks within the city of Fort Pierce, including historic downtown, the Indian River Lagoon waterfront, and sites associated with Zora Neale Hurston, visit The Fort Pierce Annals.