Florida
Facts
Motto: "In God We Trust"
Capital: Tallahassee
Statehood: March 3, 1845
Song: "Old Folks at Home" (more commonly known as
"Suwannee River")
Play: "Cross and Sword"
Beverage: Orange Juice
Stone: Agatized Coral
Flower: Orange Blossom
Wild Flower: Coreopsis
Tree: Sabal Palm
Butterfly: Zebra Longwing
Bird: Mockingbird
Animal: Florida Pather
Reptile: The American Alligator
Marine Mammal: Manatee (sea cow)
Saltwater Mammal: Porpoise/Dolphin
Shell: Horse Corch (giant band shell)
Freshwater Fish: Largemouth Bass
Saltwater Fish: Sailfish
Largest Lake: Okeechobee
Nicknames:
- The Sunshine State (Due to it's warm, sunny
weather)
- The Peninsula State
In 1513, Juan Ponce De Leon landed near St.
Augustine while looking for the Fountain of Youth. He
named the state "Florida" after the Pascua Florida
(the Feast of Flowers or Easter).
Florida is not the southernmost state in the
U.S.--Hawaii is farther south.
The Benwood, on French Reef in the Florida Keys, is
known as one of the most dived shipwrecks in the
world.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a cable-stayed concrete
bridge. The structure gives drivers an unobstructed
view of the water during the 4.1 mile trip over the
Tampa Bay.
Saint Augustine is the oldest European settlement in
North America.
The current population stands at close to 14,500,000
with seventy percent (70%) of the population not
being Florida born. Most newcomers come from the
eastern and mid-eastern states of New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia,
Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and
Wisconsin.
Most of these newcomers become
permanent year round
residents, while others become "snowbirds," who only
live in the state during the northern winter months
and then return home to their primary residence
state.
Two of the top reasons cited for moving
to Florida
are for the weather and recreation.
Florida has approximately 1,100 miles of
sandy beaches along its 1,800 mile of coastline.
Five of Florida's beaches (Bahia Honda, Grayton
Beach, St George Island, Caladesi Island and Brandon
Park) were rated among the top ten beaches in the
U.S.
The state's top industry, tourism, creates over 35
billion dollars a year and employs more than one
million Floridians.
Over 40 million visitors
come to Florida each year. Over 80% are from the
U.S., while the other twenty percent are
international visitors. Visitors from Canada lead the
international market.
There are over 700 campgrounds in Florida offering
more that 100,000 campsites. More than 5 million
people camp in Florida each year.
Florida's major seaports include: Pensacola, Miami,
Panama City, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, St
Petersburg, Fort Pierce, Tampa, Cape Canaveral,
Bradenton, Sanford, Fernandina Beach, and
Jacksonville. Over seven million cruise passengers
pass through Florida ports every year. The Port of
Miami is the busiest cruise port in the world,
followed by Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades.
There are over 1,000 golf courses in Florida - more
than any other state.
Sports
NFL Teams: Miami
Dolphins, Tampa Bay
Buccaneers and
the Jacksonville
Jaguars.
Arena Football Teams: Orlando
Predators and the
Tampa Bay
Storm.
NBA Teams: Miami
Heat and Orlando
Magic.
Major League Baseball: Florida
Marlins
NHL Teams: Tampa Bay
Lightning and Florida
Panthers
Florida State's
Official Football Site
University
Of Miami--Miami Hurricane's Football
University Of
Gainesville--Florida Gators
Greyhound Racing, Jai-alai, Thoroughbred
Racing, Harness Racing and Horse Racing Tracks are
also located throughout the state.
Florida Attractions
Florida's Theme Parks
Walt Disney World Links
Florida's Zoos & Animal
Attractions
Florida Family Entertainment
Centers
Florida's Water Parks
A Listing Of Florida's Major Attractions
Kennedy
Space Center
The Florida
Keys Guide
Florida
National Park Sites
Palm Beach County Links
Visit West Palm Beach
About Palm Beach County
The
Official Visitor's Guide To Palm Beach
County
South Florida News
Your Guide To
Florida's Treasure Coast & Palm Beaches
Miami & South Florida
News & Weather Coverage
The Palm Beach Post
Whitehall--Henry M.
Flager Museum
Rapids Water Park
Lion
Country Safari
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