Known as the “Sunshine State,” Florida became the 27th state to join the United States of America on March 3, 1845.
With a total of 67 counties, Tallahassee serves as the state capital of Florida.
Florida boasts a population of approximately 21.3 million people, ranking it as the third most populous state in the country. Now, let’s delve deeper into what truly defines Florida as the unique place it is today.
Sharing borders with Alabama and Georgia, Florida spans an area of 65,758 square miles (170,312 square kilometers), encompassing both land and water. This makes it the 22nd largest state in terms of size.
Now that we’ve covered the essential facts, let’s explore some intriguing details that truly distinguish Florida as a remarkable state!
1.) About Two-thirds of Florida is a Peninsula.
Florida shares borders with the states of Alabama and Georgia, but its most significant borders are with the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
The coastlines along these bodies of water are extensive, making Florida the state with the longest coastline among the contiguous states of the USA (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).
The coastline stretches an impressive 1,350 miles (2,170 km), and Florida is home to 4,510 islands that are at least 10 acres in size.
2.) Central Florida is the Lightning Capital of the USA.
Florida’s so-called nickname as the “Sunshine State” seems rather ironic to me, to say the least. Severe weather is quite prevalent in Florida, particularly in the central region.
In fact, Florida witnesses more lightning strikes than any other state in the USA. Moreover, it also has the highest density of tornadoes compared to other states.
And when it comes to hurricanes, Florida takes the lead yet again, being the most susceptible state to these natural disasters. So much for being the Sunshine State!
3.) Florida Was the First of the Continental Us States to Be Settled by Europeans.
In 1513, a Spanish explorer named Juan Ponce de León reached the peninsula that is currently known as Florida.
When he arrived, he gave the region the name “La Florida.”
There are a couple of main theories regarding the origin of this name.
One possibility is that Ponce de León named it after the stunning wildflowers that could be found in the area.
Alternatively, it is suggested that he named it after the Spanish festival called Pascua Florida (Festival of Flowers), which happened to be taking place around the time of his arrival.
4.) Population Levels in Florida Have Been Increasing Rapidly Since the Beginning of the 20th Century.
Florida experienced a period of tranquility during the 19th Century, characterized by a relative sense of peace in comparison to the present day.
However, this calm atmosphere underwent a dramatic transformation after World War II due to a significant surge in military spending and investment, leading to an influx of people into the state.
The population of Florida continued to expand rapidly, particularly in the aftermath of the 1950s when Cuban exiles sought refuge in the state.
5.) Spain Traded Florida to Great Britain for Control of Havana, Cuba.
After emerging victorious from the 7 Years War, Great Britain significantly expanded its territorial holdings.
In 1762, amidst the war, Great Britain successfully seized control of Havana from Spain, dealing a severe blow to the Spanish Navy.
To compound Spain’s distress, Great Britain further humiliated them by proposing the return of Havana in exchange for Florida.
Spain agreed to the offer, and Great Britain governed Florida until their defeat in the American Revolution in 1783. Subsequently, Florida was returned to Spain, but it was eventually purchased by the United States in 1819.
6.) The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida Employs 70,000 People.
Known as the “Happiest Place on Earth,” Disney World in Florida is renowned for drawing a substantial number of visitors to their extensive chain of attractions.
Disney reports an astounding workforce of 70,000 individuals employed at their Florida location, setting a remarkable record in the United States for the highest number of employees working for a single company in a single site.
It comes as no surprise, considering that in 2017 alone, an impressive 20.45 million people flocked to Disney World to immerse themselves in the magical Disney experience!
7.) Beachfront Properties in Miami Might Be Underwater by 2100!
Although beachfront properties are highly desirable, people typically prefer them to be situated above water rather than below it.
Miami is presently one of the most vulnerable cities in the United States when it comes to the threat of rising sea levels.
According to a 2018 report, approximately 12,000 homes in Miami’s beachfront area are at significant risk of experiencing severe flooding within the next three decades.
Ironically, despite this risk, property prices in Miami’s beachfront continue to rise instead of decreasing.
8.) Florida is One of the World’s Top Holiday Destinations.
Florida has consistently shattered tourism records in recent years. In 2015, the state welcomed over 100 million tourists, and by 2018, that number had surged to over 126.1 million visitors.
It’s no surprise that Florida is a highly sought-after vacation destination, given the abundance of activities it offers. If lounging on the beach or exploring amusement parks isn’t your cup of tea, fret not. Florida has a myriad of other options to keep you entertained.
You can explore golf courses, state parks, or even pay a visit to the renowned Kennedy Space Center, just to name a few possibilities.
9.) Florida’s Space Industry is Booming!
In 1962, several NASA launch sites were established at Cape Canaveral, situated on the eastern coast of Orlando.
One of the most renowned sites is the John F. Kennedy Space Center, which played a crucial role in launching the Apollo missions and NASA’s space shuttles.
Currently, the center is experiencing a revitalization as SpaceX has leased a launch site from NASA.
The space industry in Florida is incredibly significant, generating a staggering $4.1 billion annually.
