Florida Map

Florida was the first part of the continental United States to be explored by Europeans, and has been occupied by people from many different cultures, including Native Americans, Spanish, and French, as well as people from the nearby Caribbean. As a result, Florida has a variety of influences and a mixture of cultures for a unique atmosphere.

History of Florida: Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon became the first European to discover Florida in 1513, believing the land to be an island. Later Spanish explorers discovered that it was not an island, but was part of a much larger mass of land. The Spanish settled in the region, coexisting with the native tribes and converting many of them to Christianity. English colonists began spreading toward the south in the 1600s, organizing it into a colony in around 1822, years after it became the United States. The Seminoles, Florida's largest group of Native Americans, were faced with the U.S. government's Indian Removal Act in 1830, which tried to force the natives westward, off the land in Florida. This resulted in three Seminole Wars, which eventually led to many members of the tribe being forced out of the state. However, many continued to resist and even today they remain in the region.

Florida (FL) was admitted to the Union on March 3, 1845, becoming the twenty-seventh state. As a Southern state, Florida seceded from the Union with the other Confederate states in 1861, though no battles of the Civil War were fought in the state.

Economy: With many beaches, theme parks, and state parks, it's no surprise that tourism is the major industry in Florida. The next-largest industry is agriculture, with the cultivation of oranges and other citrus fruits.

Culture: Floridian culture is characterized by lively music and dancing, and internationally influenced foods, like Floribbean cuisine, with Cuban and Caribbean influences.

Geography: Alabama and Georgia are the two states that share borders with Florida. As a peninsula, Florida is surrounded by water on three sides. These bodies of water are the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Straits of Florida. Florida boasts the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, so it has plenty of sandy beaches.

Two of Florida's greatest geographic features are the Everglades and the Florida Keys. The Everglades, subtropical wetlands located in southern Florida, are home to an unusual ecosystem that contains rare species of plants and animals. The Florida Keys are a chain of islands and coral reef off the southern tip of Florida in the Florida Straits.

Demographics:

• The population of Florida is 18,801,310 (U.S. Census 2010).
• Florida is the state with the oldest residents in the United States.
• The majority of the population identifies as white, and there is a large Hispanic population, especially from Cuba.
• Florida's population is predominantly Protestant, followed by Roman Catholic.

Major Cities
Florida's major cities are Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Tallahassee. Jacksonville is located along the northeastern part of the state, between the Atlantic coast and the St. Johns River. Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida, and the eleventh most populous city in the United States. Miami is situated in the southeastern part of Florida, and is host to a diverse population and vibrant culture. Tampa and Orlando are centrally located within Florida, and are both home to a variety of recreational activities like beaches, parks, and theme parks. Tallahassee is Florida's capital, located in the Florida panhandle in the far north of the state. Tallahassee is a relatively smaller city, but contains several of Florida's biggest universities.

Main Attractions
Florida is one of the top vacation destinations in the United States, with something for every kind of traveler. Orlando, Florida has earned its title as the theme park capital of the world, with Walt Disney World, the largest vacation resort in the world. Disney World itself contains four theme parks and two water parks. Universal Studios and SeaWorld are also situated in Orlando, along with various other parks and gardens, making Orlando, Florida a top tourist spot for families.

Miami's culture, nightlife, and its gorgeous beaches make the city a popular destination for beach vacations, especially for young people. Florida is a year-round vacation destination, though it is probably best to avoid hurricane season in the summer months. Florida beaches are a popular destination for Spring Break.

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Last Update On : April 11, 2013