Florida
( The Sunshine State / Peninsula State )
Florida was named by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Le?n in 1513. He called the region "La Florida", roughly translated as Land of the Flowers. He probably chose this name because he was impressed by the many colorful flowers and because he sighted it on Easter, which is called "Pascua Florida" in Spanish. Ponce de Leon, in search of the elusive fountain of youth, was the first European to explore Florida. Statehood for Florida came in 1845 (27th state). St. Augustine, founded by the Spanish in 1565, is the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental United States. Florida is one of the leading tourist states in the United States. Great stretches of sandy beaches and a warm, sunny climate make Florida a year-round vacationland. People enjoy swimming, fishing and water skiing in the inland and coastal waters. Major attractions include Disney World, Miami Beach, the Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys. Tourists may also visit historic sites that date back to the Spanish explorers.
Some of the famous celebrities that were born in Florida include:
Fred McGriff,
Vince Carter,
Faye Dunaway,
Merian C. Cooper,
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The Flag of Florida
Entered the Union in 1845 as the 27th State; flag adopted in 1900, modified in 1985. The cross derives from the Confederate Battle Flag. The State seal shows a Seminole woman, a steamboat, and the State tree.
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 Largest Cities in the State
(2000) Jacksonville, 735,617; Miami, 362,470; Tampa, 303,447; St. Petersburg, 248,232; Hialeah, 226,419; Orlando, 185,951; Fort Lauderdale, 152,397; Tallahassee, 150,624; Hollywood, 139,357; Pembroke Pines, 137,427
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Business and Trade in Florida
Agriculture: Citrus, vegetables, nursery stock, cattle, sugarcane, dairy products.
Industries: Tourism, electric equipment, food processing, printing and publishing, transportation equipment, machinery.
State Symbols and Emblems
- Bird: Mockingbird
- Flower: Orange blossom (citrus sinensis)
- Tree: Sabal Palmetto (cabbage palmetto)
- Song(s): Suwannee River
- Motto: In God We Trust
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Capital: Tallahassee
Local Weather
Statehood: 1845-03-03
Population:
15,982,378 (296.4 mi2)
Geographic Area (mi2)
Total 65,754.59
Water 11,827.77
Land 53,926.82
Rank 26th Largest
State Education:
Pub & Prv Schools
College & University
Libraries
Border States: Alabama, Georgia
Health Information:
Illicit Drug Use
Youth Risk Survey
Housing: In Florida, there are 7,302,947 housing units, averaging to 135.4 per sq mile.
 Related Magazines:
Southern Boating
Tampa Bay Magazine
Orlando Magazine
Posters and Artwork
Greyhound Racing, Miami, Florida
Art Print 18" x 13"
• Public Library, Daytona, Florida
Art Print 18" x 13"
• Watching Boat Races, Palm Beach, Florida
Art Print 18" x 13"
• Florida manatee, Crystal River, Florida
Photographic Print 18" x 24"
• Aerial View of South Beach, Miami, Florida, USA
Photographic Print 16" x 12"
• Beach, Sarasota, Florida
Art Print 18" x 13"
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