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General
 Nickname:
Sunshine State- State bird: Mockingbird
- State flower: Orange
Blossom
- Capital: Tallahassee
- Date of admission to the Union: 3rd
Mar 1845
- Population: 15,111,000
(1999)
- Population Density: 88.7/sq
km
- 1999 Total overseas arrivals/US Ranking: 5,798,000/2
- Time: GMT - 5.
Daylight Saving Time is observed in the greater part of the
State.
The
State: Florida is one of the most popular
tourist destinations in the world, with visitors heading to The Sunshine
State' in search of fun, sun and thrills. Walt Disney World, Magic
Kingdom Park and Busch Gardens are just a few of the man-made
attractions for which the State is famed. But there is more to Florida
than Mickey Mouse and white-knuckle rides. Winding waterways, freshwater
lakes, hills, forests, exciting cities, 13,560km (8426 miles) of coast,
countless bays, inlets and islands, and a legendary climate make this one
of the most popular States in the USA.
 Florida
is divided into eight geographical regions: Northwest; North Central;
Northeast; Central West; Central; Central East; Southwest; and
Southeast Florida & the Keys. Situated on the south-eastern tip, Miami
and Miami Beach have long been a haunt of the rich and famous, and
star-spotting is a popular pastime here. The city also has a
well-established Cuban sector called Little Havana. Palm Beach
scores equally highly in the glamour stakes, thanks largely to Addison
Mizner who designed a US$50 million development of mansions and hotels,
including one commissioned by the Vanderbilts. Fort Lauderdale is a
popular spot for families, offering a wide assortment of sports and
recreational activities. To the south, the Florida Keys are made up
of the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys and Key West. A tropical climate,
beautiful beaches and clear blue waters attract a steady flow of visitors
to the Keys all the year round.
The
capital of Florida, Tallahassee, is geographically closer to
Atlanta than Miami and is strictly Southern in tone. It was chosen as the
State capital in  1823
as a compromise between Pensacola and St Augustine which had both been
vying for the honour. Today, it is often described as The Other Florida'
with its rolling hills, oak forests, cool climate and distinctly Southern
feel.
In the north-eastern corner of Florida stands Jacksonville, named
after General Andrew Jackson. Divided by St John's River, the city
boasts futuristic features like the Jacksonville Automated Skyway,
a monorail in the city centre, as well as relics from the past in its
historic district, listed on the National Register. Nearby St Augustine
is known as America's Oldest City' and is home to more than 60 historic
sites, including massive forts, missions and living history museums; it is
the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in continental USA. Amelia
Island, often called the Isle of Eight Flags', is the only site in
the country to have been governed by eight different countries during its
history. At its heart lies Fernandina Beach, the nation's second
oldest city. The verdant north-eastern coastline is shaped by a series of
points and peninsulas flanked by barrier islands. The inland area is also
endowed with State parks, springs and lakes.
Daytona
is located in the slender Central East region. The beach is the city's
main attraction with a 510m (1700ft) boardwalk brimming with amusements,
rides and snack bars. To the north lies the historic community of DeBary
which is home to the State headquarters for the Florida Federation of
the Arts. Resorts are dotted along the coast and include Vero
Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange and Sebastian.
Tampa
and St Petersburg are the main cities in the Central West region. Anna
Marie Island, Longboat Key, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach lie
in the Blue Gulf, adjacent to Bradenton and Palmetto on the mainland. Sarasota
is the cultural capital of the region, thanks to John Ringling and his
wife who amassed an impressive art collection which is today displayed in
their restored mansion. Pinellas forms a stubby peninsula west of
Tampa Bay, linked to Tampa by three bridges.
The southwestern region is home to Naples, a popular seaside
retreat with seemingly endless golfing, shopping and fishing
opportunities. Just off the mainland, Marco Island stands as a
model of ecological preservation. Charlotte County is only 27km (17
miles) long, but it boasts an amazing 193km (120 miles) of coastline. Charlotte
Harbor is protected by a triangular web of land fringed by barrier
islands such as Gasparilla, a one-time pirates' haven.
 Orlando
is the face of Florida that most people recognise, with its enormous
number of theme parks, movie studios, water parks and entertainment
facilities. The northern boundaries of Central Florida are engulfed by a
national forest so large that it has to be administered by two separate
Ranger districts.
The Ocala National Forest covers 153,049ha (378,178 acres) divided
into three recreation areas and linked by a 105m (65-mile) trail. Nearby Silver
Springs, a network of 150 springs, is the world's largest artesian
spring; hundreds of thousands of gallons of water bubble through the
spongy limestone bedrock each day. There are 1440 lakes in Lake Country
which is the setting for the area's vineyards and wine-growing region.
Southwest of Orlando is Polk Country which is famed for its
beautiful landscape of citrus groves and pine forests.
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