Florida

Florida is a state in the Southeastern and South Atlantic regions of the United States. It is located on a peninsula that 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, stretching about 1,350 miles, and is the only state that touches both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

The area has been home to various Native American groups for thousands of years. In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León was the first European to reach the region, naming it La Florida. Florida became a state on March 3, 1845, and played a role in the Seminole Wars and the Civil War.

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

Florida's climate ranges from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south, and it is the only continental U.S. state with a coral reef. The state is home to unique wildlife and ecosystems, including Everglades National Park, and it has many special 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. This led to conflicts with the Seminole people, known as the Seminole Wars. 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 unique because it borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico and 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 varies 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 experiences occasional 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, which can affect its beaches and low-lying areas. 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, with about 6.06 million people. Other large areas include the Tampa Bay area, the Orlando metropolitan area, and the Jacksonville metropolitan area. In 2012, 75% of Florida’s population lived within 10 miles of the coastline.

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, which was about 14% more than in 2010. By 2020, the number had grown to about 21.5 million people as well. 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, especially because of the large Hispanic community. 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 is organized into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial, as defined by the Florida Constitution. The legislature, made up of the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives, creates laws that the governor can sign or veto.

Florida has 67 counties and many cities. The state does not collect income tax, relying instead on sales tax for revenue. The governor of Florida is currently Ron DeSantis, and 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 have historically leaned Democratic but shifted to support Republican presidential candidates from the 1970s onward. The state has been considered a swing state in many presidential elections, meaning the outcome can go either way. In recent years, Florida has trended more toward the Republican Party.

In 2000, Florida's electoral votes were central to the U.S. presidential election outcome. The state's voting laws and district boundaries have been subjects of legal challenges, especially concerning fairness and representation.

Statutes

See also: Law of Florida

Florida requires personal injury protection insurance for all drivers. The state operates a lottery and allows slot machines in certain counties but has not approved 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 very strong economy, being the fourth-largest in the United States. Its gross state product was $1.647 trillion in 2024, which would make it the 15th-largest economy in the world if it were a country. Tourism plays a big role, with Florida 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, with Florida leading the U.S. in growing oranges for juice, mangoes, fresh tomatoes, and many 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. In 2023, Medicaid helped pay for more than 42% of all births in the state.

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 is famous for its unique buildings, especially Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles, found mostly in the Miami area. Miami Beach has an Art Deco District with many colorful buildings built when the city became a popular tourist spot. Another special style from after World War II is Miami Modern, seen in Miami’s MiMo Historic District.

Jacksonville has many different architectural styles, including some of the state's earliest skyscrapers. The city also has a large collection of Prairie School buildings and Mid-Century modern designs. Other areas of Florida feature 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 is known for its strong education system. In 2020, it was ranked third best in the United States for K-12 education. The state has many schools and universities, including large ones like the University of Central Florida in Orlando and the University of Florida in Gainesville. There are also many community colleges and private universities, such as the University of Miami in Coral Gables.

The Florida Department of Education oversees public schools, and there are school districts in each county. These districts are managed by elected boards and superintendents. Florida also supports training for teachers to help students who speak languages other than English.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Florida

See also: Sports teams in Florida

Florida is home to teams in all five major American professional 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 permanent major-league team in 1966. Many Major League Baseball teams hold their spring training in Florida, calling it the “Grapefruit League”.

Florida is also a key spot for motorsports, with NASCAR starting its major races at Daytona International Speedway, including the famous Daytona 500. The state is a major center for golf and hosts important tennis events like the Miami Masters. Universities such as the Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, and Florida Gators have strong college sports programs.

State symbols

Main article: List of Florida state symbols

Florida has many special symbols that represent the state. Most of these symbols were chosen after 1950, but the state flower and bird were picked much earlier. Some of the 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 include the orange as the state fruit, orange juice as the state beverage, and the Key lime pie as the state pie. Each symbol helps tell the story of Florida's natural beauty and culture.