About Florida

Welcome to Florida





Florida state is in the extreme SE part of the United States. A long, low peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is bordered by Georgia and Alabama.

Area - 58,560 sq mi (151,670 sq km).

Pop - (2000) 15,982,378, a 23.5% increase since the 1990 census.

Capital - Tallahassee.

Largest City - Jacksonville.

Nickname - Sunshine State.

Motto - In God We Trust.

State Bird - Mockingbird.

State Flower - Orange Blossom.

State Tree - Sabal Palmetto Palm.


Micky & Minnie Mouse
Tourism plays a primary role in the state's economy; in 1996 visitors to Florida spent over $48 billion. Walt Disney World, a massive cluster of theme parks near Orlando that is one of the world's leading tourist attractions; Universal Studios, a combination theme parks, film and television production facility, Sea World, the world's premiere marine adventure park with 200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal encounters not forgetting the all-new Waterfront at Sea World - a five-acre village infused with the sights, sounds, flavor and festivity of the most vibrant cities by the sea. Also near Orlando, Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay; and other local attractions that draw millions yearly.

An Overview of Miami Beach
Famed beaches, such as those at Miami Beach , Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale , attract hordes of vacationers. With more than 4,000 sq mi (10,360 sq km) of inland water and with the sea readily accessible from almost anywhere in the state. Florida is a fishing paradise. Other attractions include The Everglades National Park, with its unusual plant and animal life; The famed John F. kennedy Space Center, (NASA)
Cape Canaveral's main area attraction, which borders the Atlantic Ocean, stretches 3.7 sq mi across what is eloquently referred to as Florida's Space Coast. Palm Beach , with its palatial estates and Sanibel Island's picturesque resorts.


Famous for its citrus fruits, Florida leads the nation in the production of oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and market-ready corn and tomatoes. Other important crops include sugarcane and many varieties of winter vegetables. Cattle and dairy products are important, as is commercial fishing, with the catch including crabs, lobsters and shrimp.






*Information from Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition