Called the "Sunshine State," Florida is known for its balmy, sunny weather and beautiful beaches. Ponce de Leon, in search of the elusive fountain of youth, was the first European to explore Florida. St. Augustine, founded by the Spanish in 1565, is the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental United States. Statehood for Florida came in 1845. Florida's state flower is the orange blossom, which is particularly fitting because oranges are a main export of the state. Because of its shape and location, a long peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida attracts millions of visitors each year to its many seaside resort areas. Its capital is Tallahassee.
State Flower: Orange Blossom
State Motto: In God we trust
State Nickname: Sunshine State
State Bird: Mockingbird
Land area, 2000 (square miles): 53,927
Length: 500 miles
Width: 160 miles
10 largest cities, 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
Geographic Center: 12 miles north-northwest of Brooksville
Geographic Center County: Hernando
Highest Point: 345ft. — Britton Hill, Lakewood Park in Walton co.
Lowest Point: sea level — Atlantic Ocean
Number of counties: 67
State forests: 35
State parks: 151
Persons per square mile, 2000: 296
This page last updated July 10, 2007
GDP Data — Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Population and Economic Data — US Census Bureau
Government Data — Congress.Org
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