Florida

Florida is a state in the Southeastern and South Atlantic regions of the United States. It sits on a peninsula. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Straits of Florida to the south, and The Bahamas to the southeast. Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States. It touches both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

The area has been home to many Native American groups for thousands of years. In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León was the first European to reach the region. Florida became a state on March 3, 1845.

Today, Florida is known for its warm climate and beautiful beaches. It has many tourist attractions like Walt Disney World and Miami Beach. Many people choose to retire there, and visitors enjoy its parks, resorts, and water activities. The state's economy is strong, especially in tourism, agriculture, and real estate.

Florida's climate is warm, ranging from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. It is the only continental U.S. state with a coral reef. The state has special wildlife and ecosystems, including Everglades National Park, and animals such as the Florida panther and manatee.

History

Main article: History of Florida

The first people in Florida were known as Paleo-Indians, arriving over 14,000 years ago. By the 1500s, several groups lived there, including the Apalachee, Timucua, Ais, Mayaimi, Tequesta, and Calusa.

Florida was the first part of the United States that Europeans visited and settled. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León reached Florida in 1513 and named it La Florida because it was the Easter season. Later, Spain built settlements like St. Augustine, which became the oldest continuously occupied European town in the United States.

In the 1800s, the United States took control of Florida from Spain. Florida became a state in 1845. During the Civil War, Florida joined the Confederate States but was later brought back into the United States.

In the 1900s, Florida grew as more people moved there for its warm weather and jobs. Many tourists began visiting, especially after World War II. In recent years, Florida has become one of the most populous states in the country.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Florida

See also: List of counties in Florida, List of places in Florida, List of municipalities in Florida, List of islands of Florida, and List of Florida state parks

Florida is mostly a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. It stretches into a panhandle along the northern Gulf of Mexico and is bordered by Georgia to the north and Alabama to the northwest and west. Florida is special because it borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It is the southernmost of the 48 contiguous states, with Hawaii being the only state farther south. Florida lies west of the Bahamas and is about 90 miles north of Cuba. It is one of the largest states east of the Mississippi River.

The highest point in Florida is Britton Hill, at 345 feet above sea level. Much of the state is flat and close to sea level. Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in Florida, and the St. Johns River is the longest river in the state.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Florida

See also: List of Florida hurricanes and U.S. state temperature extremes

Florida’s climate changes from humid subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. Summers are warm, often with thunderstorms, while winters are mild. Florida is known for its sunny weather and is often called the “Sunshine State.” The state sometimes has hurricanes between June and November each year.

Fauna

Further information: Fauna of Florida and List of invasive species in Florida

Florida is home to many animals, including bottlenose dolphins, Florida panthers, manatees, alligators, and many bird species like the bald eagle and flamingo. The state also has many nonnative species, such as the Burmese python and iguanas.

Flora

Florida has many types of plants, including over 3,000 wildflowers. Mangroves grow along the east coast, and coconut palms are found along both coasts. The state has large areas of forests covering about half of its land.

Reef

The Florida Reef is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. It is the third-largest coral barrier reef system in the world. The reef is home to many marine plants and animals and is protected in several parks and sanctuaries.

Environmental issues

Main article: Environment of Florida

See also: Environmental issues in Florida

Florida faces environmental challenges such as rising sea levels due to climate change. The state also deals with issues like red tide, a harmful algae bloom, and the protection of endangered species like the Florida panther and manatees.

Geology

Main article: Geology of Florida

Florida’s peninsula is made of porous limestone, which leads to many caves, sinkholes, and springs. The state has large deposits of potash and rock phosphate. Earthquakes are rare in Florida because it is far from tectonic plate boundaries.

Regions

• Florida Panhandle
  • Emerald Coast
  • Forgotten Coast
  • North Florida
  • Pensacola metropolitan area
  • Tallahassee metropolitan area
• North Central Florida
  • Big Bend
  • Nature Coast
  • North Florida
  • Gainesville metropolitan area
• Northeast Florida
  • First Coast
  • Jacksonville metropolitan area
  • North Florida
• Central West Florida
  • Nature Coast
  • Tampa Bay area
  • Florida Suncoast
• Central Florida
  • Greater Orlando
• Central East Florida
  • Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach metropolitan area
  • Surf Coast/Fun Coast/Halifax Area
  • Space Coast
  • Treasure Coast
• Southwest Florida
  • Florida Heartland
  • Florida Everglades
  • Florida Suncoast
  • Sarasota metropolitan area
  • Ten Thousand Islands
• South Florida
  • Everglades
  • Gold Coast
  • Florida Keys
  • Miami metropolitan area

Cities and towns

See also: List of metropolitan areas of Florida, List of municipalities in Florida, and List of urbanized areas in Florida (by population)

The largest metropolitan area in Florida is the Miami metropolitan area. Other large areas include the Tampa Bay area, the Orlando metropolitan area, and the Jacksonville metropolitan area.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Florida

See also: Culture of Florida

Florida's population has grown quickly over the years. In 2019, about 21.5 million people lived in the state. Florida is known for its diverse population. Many people from different countries live there, including large groups from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Mexico, and Jamaica.

English is the official language of Florida, but many people also speak Spanish. Other languages spoken in Florida include Haitian Creole and many others. Most people in Florida are Christian, with many belonging to Protestant or Catholic churches. There are also Jewish communities and people who do not follow any religion.

Governance

Main article: Government of Florida

See also: List of governors of Florida, Florida's congressional delegations, List of United States senators from Florida, and Florida Cabinet

The government of Florida has three parts: executive, legislative, and judicial. This is set by the Florida Constitution. The legislature has two groups, the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives. They make laws that the governor can sign or reject.

Florida has 67 counties and many cities. The state does not collect income tax. Instead, it uses sales tax for money. The current governor of Florida is Ron DeSantis. The state's highest court is the Florida Supreme Court.

Elections history

Further information: Elections in Florida, Politics of Florida, Political party strength in Florida, and United States presidential elections in Florida

Florida's voters used to support Democratic candidates. But since the 1970s, they have often voted for Republican presidential candidates. The state has been a swing state in many elections. This means the result can change. Recently, Florida has voted more for the Republican Party.

In 2000, Florida's votes were very important in the U.S. presidential election.

Statutes

See also: Law of Florida

Florida requires personal injury protection insurance for all drivers. The state has a lottery and allows slot machines in some counties. But it does not allow full casinos outside of tribal areas.

Taxation

Tax is collected by the Florida Department of Revenue.

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Florida and Agriculture in Florida

Florida has a strong economy and is the fourth-largest in the United States. In 2024, its gross state product was $1.647 trillion, which would rank it as the 15th-largest economy in the world if it were a country. Tourism is very important, especially because Florida is home to the world’s most visited theme park, the Magic Kingdom, and the largest single-site employer in the U.S., Walt Disney World.

Agriculture is also important. Florida grows many oranges for juice, as well as mangoes, fresh tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. Other key areas include finance, healthcare, aerospace (especially on the Space Coast), mining, fishing, trade, real estate, and technology.

Healthcare

See also: List of hospitals in Florida and Abortion in Florida

Florida has many hospitals and healthcare programs. In 2009, over 2.7 million people used Medicaid, a program that helps pay for healthcare for those who can’t afford it.

Some big hospitals in Florida include Jackson Memorial Hospital, AdventHealth Orlando, and Tampa General Hospital. Certain cities in Florida, like Sarasota and Orlando, are known for having many allergens, which can bother people with allergies.

Architecture

See also: Architecture of Miami and Architecture of Jacksonville

Florida has special buildings, especially Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles, mainly in Miami. Miami Beach has an Art Deco District with bright, colorful buildings built when it became a popular tourist place. Another style from after World War II is Miami Modern, found in Miami’s MiMo Historic District.

Jacksonville has many different building styles, including some of the state’s earliest skyscrapers. The city also has many Prairie School buildings and Mid-Century modern designs. Other parts of Florida have Spanish revival, Florida vernacular, and Mediterranean Revival styles, especially in St. Augustine, the oldest European settlement in the United States.

Education

Main article: Education in Florida

See also: List of colleges and universities in Florida, List of high schools in Florida, and List of school districts in Florida

Florida has a strong education system. It has many schools and universities. Two big ones are the University of Central Florida in Orlando and the University of Florida in Gainesville. There are also many community colleges and private universities, like the University of Miami in Coral Gables.

The Florida Department of Education looks after public schools. Each county has its own school district, managed by elected boards and superintendents. Florida also helps train teachers to support students who speak languages other than English.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Florida

See also: Sports teams in Florida

Florida has teams in all five big American sports leagues. The state has three NFL teams, two each of MLB, NBA, and NHL, plus two MLS teams. The Miami Dolphins became Florida’s first big team in 1966. Many Major League Baseball teams train in Florida during spring, calling it the “Grapefruit League”.

Florida is also a big place for motorsports, with NASCAR holding its main races at Daytona International Speedway, including the famous Daytona 500. The state is a major spot for golf and has important tennis events like the Miami Masters. Colleges such as the Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, and Florida Gators have strong sports teams.

State symbols

Main article: List of Florida state symbols

Florida has many special symbols that represent the state. Most of these were chosen after 1950, but the state flower and bird were picked earlier. Some well-known symbols include the orange blossom as the state flower, the Northern mockingbird as the state bird, and the Florida panther as the state animal. Other symbols are the orange as the state fruit, orange juice as the state beverage, and the Key lime pie as the state pie. Each symbol shows Florida's natural beauty and culture.