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Known for its beautiful beaches, warm weather, and bustling tourism industry, Florida is located in the southeastern region of the United States. Nicknamed "The Sunshine State", Florida became the 27th state admitted to the Union on March 3, 1845. With a population of over 21 million, it is the third most populous state after California and Texas.

History

Florida has a rich history going back thousands of years. The state was originally inhabited by Native American tribes like the Apalachee, Calusa, and Timucua. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León arrived in 1513 and claimed the land for Spain, naming it "La Florida" due to the bountiful flora and fauna. Over the next few centuries, Florida changed hands between European powers including Spain, France, and Great Britain. Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821 and was admitted as a slave state in 1845. It seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America during the Civil War in 1861. After the war ended in 1865, Florida was readmitted to the Union. In the early 20th century, real estate booms led to rapid population growth and economic development in cities like Miami and Tampa. Today, tourism and the service industry fuel Florida's economy. The state continues to attract visitors from around the world who come to enjoy its beautiful beaches, warm weather, theme parks, and natural wilderness areas.

Government

As a U.S. state, Florida's government is composed of executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The state capital is located in Tallahassee. The current governor is Ron DeSantis. The Florida State Government offices are located at: The Capitol 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: (850) 488-7146

Geography and Climate

Florida is situated mostly on a large peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. With a total area of 65,755 square miles, Florida is the 22nd largest state in the U.S. It has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. Major geographic regions include the densely populated Atlantic coastal plain, the Florida Keys island chain, the interior Florida peninsula with its central ridge, the Florida panhandle along the Gulf Coast, and the Everglades wetlands in the south. The highest point is Britton Hill at 345 feet above sea level.

Economy

Florida has a trillion dollar economy largely driven by tourism, agriculture, construction, health care, and transportation. Top industries include tourism, healthcare, construction, retail, and professional services. According to the Florida Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Florida's major exports include civilian aircraft, motor vehicle parts, and navigational/measuring/medical/control instruments. Major employers in Florida include Walt Disney World, Baptist Health, Publix Super Markets, University of Florida, and Memorial Healthcare System.

Transportation

As a major tourism destination and hub for travel between the Americas, Florida has extensive transportation infrastructure. Major airports include Miami International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and Tampa International Airport. Florida's interstate highway system includes I-4, I-10, I-75, I-95, and I-275. The Florida Department of Transportation oversees the state's highways, bridges, airports, seaports, and public transportation systems. Public transportation varies regionally but includes bus and rail networks in cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. South Florida has an extensive local metro system called Tri-Rail. Brightline operates higher speed rail service connecting Miami to West Palm Beach.

Education

Public primary and secondary education in Florida consists of the Florida Department of Education overseeing Florida's K-12 school districts, including the Florida Public Schools system. Notable institutes of higher education include the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, and University of South Florida. Florida has 67 public school districts including large districts like Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Broward County Public Schools, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Orange County Public Schools, and Palm Beach School District. Florida spent $24 billion on public education during the 2020-2021 school year with approximately 2.8 million students enrolled in over 4,300 schools. Graduation rate is around 86%.

Culture and Tourism

Florida is world renowned for its beaches, amusement parks, and warm weather. Major tourist attractions include:

Walt Disney World - 25.5 million visitors in 2021
Universal Orlando - 10.7 million visitors in 2021
Miami Beach - Known for art deco architecture and nightlife
Everglades National Park - 1.1 million visitors in 2021
Key West - Southernmost point of continental U.S.
Tampa Bay - NFL's Buccaneers and NHL's Lightning
Miami Heat - NBA Basketball team

Iconic Florida cuisine includes key lime pie, Cuban sandwiches, and fresh citrus. The state attracts over 120 million tourists per year.

Major Cities and Regions

Florida has diverse regions and major metropolitan areas.

South Florida

South Florida including the Miami metropolitan area is a major urban tourism and business hub. Miami is known for its Latin culture, arts scene, and nightlife. Nearby Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach also have vibrant downtowns and beaches. The Everglades National Park is not far.

Central Florida

Central Florida including the Orlando metropolitan area is home to most of Florida's theme parks such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. The region attracts family vacationers from around the world. Orlando is one of the fastest growing metro areas.

Tampa Bay Area

The Tampa Bay metro region includes cities like Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. Home to beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, the area has a more relaxed pace compared to South Florida. Major industries include business services, healthcare, retail, and tourism.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville in northeast Florida is the largest city by land area. It is a major port city and financial services hub. Jacksonville is known for its riverside parks, zoo, sports culture, and historic neighborhoods.

Florida Panhandle

The Florida Panhandle extends along the Gulf Coast towards Alabama. Main cities include Pensacola, Panama City Beach, and Tallahassee. Miles of white sand beaches and military bases attract many visitors and residents.

Famous Floridians

Many famous Americans were born in Florida or have made it their home including:

Walt Disney
Ernest Hemingway
Tom Petty
Pitbull
Jason Derulo
Ariana Grande
Flo Rida
Jimmy Buffett

Fun Facts

Florida has over 1,300 miles of coastline, more than any other state.
St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the U.S.
Walt Disney World Resort is the largest single-site employer in the U.S. with over 62,000 employees.
Florida produces about 75% of all oranges grown in the U.S.
The Florida Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness reserve in the United States.
Florida does not have a state income tax.

Landmarks

Here are some top landmarks and attractions in Florida:

Walt Disney World

Address: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL 32830 GPS Coordinates: 28.38523508097787, -81.56385268474412

South Beach

Address: 1001 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139 GPS Coordinates: 25.790763183605165, -80.12925908457178

Kennedy Space Center

Address: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, State Road 405, Titusville, FL 32780 GPS Coordinates: 28.60814198098449, -80.68187268450411

Additional Resources

Learn more about Florida on these websites:

Top 10 Most Populous Cities in Florida

1. Jacksonville

With a population of 903,889 as of 2019, Jacksonville is the most populous city in Florida and the 12th most populous city in the United States. Located in northeastern Florida, Jacksonville is the seat of Duval County and consolidates the city of Jacksonville and most of the county's population. The city's economy is led by the financial services, insurance, healthcare, and logistics industries. Tourism is also an important component of the local economy. City government website: https://www.coj.net/ Visitor and convention bureau: https://www.visitjacksonville.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CityofJacksonville/

2. Miami

Miami is the second most populous city in Florida with a population of 470,914 as of 2019. Located in southeastern Florida on the coast of Biscayne Bay, Miami is a major center of commerce, finance, arts, entertainment, and international trade. The metro area surrounding Miami is one of the largest in the US. Tourism, media, entertainment, biomedical research and high technology industries drive the economy. City government website: https://www.miamigov.com/ Visitor and convention bureau: https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CityofMiami/

3. Tampa

Tampa is the third most populous city in Florida and the 53rd most populous city in the US, with a population of 399,700 as of 2019. Located on the west coast of Florida on Tampa Bay, Tampa is part of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. Major industries include finance, retail, healthcare, insurance, and tourism. Port Tampa Bay is one of the largest ports in the state. City government website: https://www.tampagov.net/ Visitor and convention bureau: https://www.visittampabay.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CityofTampa/

4. Orlando

Orlando is the fourth largest city in Florida and the county seat of Orange County. As of 2019, the population was 285,713. Orlando is known as "The Theme Park Capital of the World" and its tourist attractions draw millions of visitors each year. The metro Orlando area is one of the fastest growing regions in the US. City government website: https://www.orlando.gov/ Visitor and convention bureau: https://www.visitorlando.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cityoforlando/

5. St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is the fifth largest city in Florida with a population of 265,098 as of 2019. Located on the west coast of Florida on Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg is part of the Tampa Bay metro area. Tourism, healthcare, finance, retail, and professional services drive the economy. St. Petersburg is home to several professional sports teams. City government website: https://www.stpete.org/ Visitor and convention bureau: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CityofStPetersburgFL/

6. Hialeah

Hialeah is the sixth largest city in Florida with 234,714 residents as of 2019. Located in Miami-Dade County, Hialeah is part of the Miami metropolitan area. Over 90% of residents speak Spanish as their first language. The city has experienced rapid growth in recent decades. City government website: https://hialeahfl.gov/ Visitor information: https://www.hialeahchamber.org/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cityofhialeah/

7. Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie is the 7th most populous city in Florida with a population of 201,846 as of 2019. Located on the southeast coast of the state, Port St. Lucie forms part of the Miami metropolitan area. The city has experienced rapid growth since its incorporation in the 1960s. City government website: https://www.cityofpsl.com/ Visitor information: https://www.visitstluciefla.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CityofPortStLucie/

8. Cape Coral

With 194,351 residents as of 2019, Cape Coral is the 8th largest city in Florida. It is located in southwest Florida on the Gulf Coast. Real estate, healthcare, retail and tourism are important industries. The city has over 400 miles of canals and waterfront property. City government website: https://www.capecoral.gov/ Visitor and convention bureau: https://www.cometoparadise.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cityofcapecoral/

9. Pembroke Pines

Pembroke Pines is a suburb of Miami and the 9th most populous city in Florida with a population of 174,041 as of 2019. The city has a diverse population and economy. Major employers include education, healthcare, finance, and various professional services. City government website: https://www.ppines.com/ Visitor information: https://www.ppines.com/202/Visitor-Information Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cityofpembrokepines/