Final answer:
Lake Okeechobee is known as the 'heart' of Florida due to its central location and significant environmental impact on the region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Okeechobee is located in an area known as the heart of Florida. Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida and the second largest freshwater lake contained entirely within the contiguous United States, after Lake Michigan. It is a central part of the Florida ecosystem and plays a significant role in the hydrology of the region, including the Everglades. As such, it is often referred to as the heart of Florida, both for its central geographical location and for its importance to the environmental health of the state.