15 facts about Florida
Published 2023-12-07
Sunshine State: Florida is often called the "Sunshine State" due to its abundant sunshine and warm climate. It averages more than 230 sunny days per year.
Peninsula State: Florida is the only state in the continental U.S. that is bordered by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It is also the southernmost state on the U.S. mainland.
Everglades National Park: It is home to the largest tropical wilderness of any kind in the U.S., the Everglades National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Theme Park Capital: Orlando is often referred to as the "Theme Park Capital of the World" with attractions such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.
Cape Canaveral: The Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, is a major space launch facility and the primary site for human spaceflight launches.
Flamingos in the Wild: Florida is the only place in the United States where you can find a significant population of wild flamingos.
Key West: Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S.: Key West, an island in the Florida Keys, is the southernmost point in the continental United States, marked by a buoy.
Orange Groves: Florida is a major producer of oranges in the U.S., and it is famous for its citrus industry.
Walt Disney World: The first-ever Walt Disney World Resort opened in Orlando in 1971, featuring the Magic Kingdom theme park.
Miami and its Architecture: Miami is known for its Art Deco Historic District in South Beach, which boasts the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world.
NASA Headquarters: The Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral is the primary launch center for human spaceflight and has been the launch site for every U.S. human spaceflight since 1968.
Alligators and Crocodiles: Florida is the only place in the world where you can find both alligators and crocodiles in the wild.
Spanish Influence: Florida has a strong Spanish influence due to early colonization attempts. St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement within the continental U.S.
Manatees: Florida is a critical habitat for the endangered West Indian manatee. Several areas, such as Crystal River and Blue Spring State Park, are popular for manatee sightings.
Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay is known for hosting the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival, a unique celebration inspired by the legend of pirate José Gaspar.