GENERAL

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States. It is known as the Sunshine State. “Florida” comes from Spanish and means “flowery”. The state was discovered by the Spanish explorers during the Easter period. Easter in Spanish is Pascua Florida. According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, the abbreviation for Florida is FL. The sign of Florida is the bald eagle:

Nickname

Sunshine State

Capital

Tallahassee

Biggest town

Jacksonville

Area

Rank (within the US): 22nd out of 50 states

Total: 170,451 km²

Land: 137,374 km²

Water (%): 30,486 km² (17.9%)

Residents

Rank (within the US): 4th out of 50 states

Total (2000): 15,982,378

Density: 94 / km²

State membership

Place: 27th

Since: March 3, 1845

GEOGRAPHY

Time zone: Eastern: UTC -5 / -4 Central: UTC -6 / -5

Latitude: 24 ° 30’N to 31’N

Longitude 79 ° 48’W to 87 ° 38’W

Width: 260 km

Length: 800 km

Highest position: 105 m

Average location: 30 m

Lowest position: 0 m

Florida is a peninsula. The Atlantic Ocean lies on the east coast and the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast. In the north are the US states Georgia and Alabama. It is close to Cuba, Haiti and other Caribbean countries.

HISTORY

Archaeological evidence suggests that Florida was inhabited for several thousand years before it was discovered by European settlers. The Spaniards discovered Florida in 1513 and claimed it for the Spanish Crown. Parts of Florida were then controlled by the Spanish, British and Americans. In 1819 Spain ceded Florida to the United States in exchange for US territorial claims. It will be seen as a distress sale, because in the Anglo-American War of 1812–1814, American troops occupied the country and did not leave it after the war. Texas.

On March 3, 1845, Florida became the 27th state in the United States. Today Florida is one of the most famous states in America.

POLITICS

Florida has a two-chamber system with a 40-person Senate and a House with 120 members. The current (2003) governor of Florida is Republican Jeb Bush, brother of US President George W. Bush. Although Florida has traditionally tended towards the Democrats, the population growth of recent years has resulted in a shift in political opinion towards the Republicans. Right now the Republican to Democrat ratio is roughly 1: 1. Because of this, and because of its large population and the associated electoral votes, Florida is viewed by election researchers as a crucial state for the election of American President.

In Miami, the Liberal Democrats compete with the rich Cubans in exile, who are more toward the Republicans. Tampa used to be the center of the Democratic Party but has become a pro-Republican center in recent years.

POPULATION

In 2000 Florida had 15,982,378 residents. Today it has an estimated 13,000,000 residents.

ECONOMY

Florida’s climate and numerous beaches make it an interesting place for vacationers from all over the world. The Walt Disney World amusement park near Orlando is also a big draw for tourists. In addition, the economy focuses on the cultivation of citrus fruits (50% of the consumption in the USA) including juice production, there are numerous banks and phosphate is mined.

CITIES & PLACES

Key West, Miami, Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Panama City, Everglades, National Park Cap Canavera, l Naples, Bradenton.

KEY WEST

Key West is known for its sunsets; a place where people can be fascinated every day when the sun hits the horizon. A little paradise for diving, snorkeling or just relaxing fishing in the crystal clear water. In addition, you should definitely take the opportunity to enjoy the southernmost city in the USA, where Ernest Hemingway, the great American writer, made his home. It should not be forgotten that this charming city is also a small artist community. Key West is a place for excitement and fun and always remember: don’t forget your diving mask!

Location: State of Florida, Monroe County, west end of the Florida Keys, approx. 140 km from Cuba

Population: approx. 24,900

Area: 19.2 km2

Nicknames: The Conch Republic, Southernmost City in the Continental United States

history: Before the Europeans settled Key West, the Calusa Indians lived on the island. At the beginning of the 16th century Florida became a Spanish colony and the Florida Keys were discovered by Juan Ponce de León. Key West initially had the Spanish name “Cayo Hueso”, the meaning of which is related to the discovery of bones from the Indians who previously lived there. At the beginning of the 19th century Florida, and with it Key West, officially became part of the USA. The American businessman, John Simonton, bought the island from the Spaniard Juan Pablo Salas for $ 2000. Simonton in turn sold parts of the island and Key West developed into an important naval base. In the mid-19th century, Fort Zachary Taylor, an important coastal fortification for the US Army, was built. The connection to the railway network of Henry Flagler’s Florida’s East Coast Railway in 1912 led Key West further out of isolation and further development. However, the railway line was destroyed again by a hurricane in 1935. Reconstruction was not carried out because of the high costs. Instead, the famous Overseas Highway was built over the remaining railway bridges.

Cultural / Museums: Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West Museum of Art & History, Key West Shipwreck Museum, Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum, Turtle Kraals Museum, Red Barn Theater, US Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum, East Martello Museum and Gallery, Key West Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters Museum, Custom House Museum, Florida Key Natural History Museum, Heritage House Museum, Duval Street Wreckers Museum

Sights: Southernmost Point, Overseas Highway, Mallory Square, Duval Street, St. Mary Star of the Sea, Harry S. Truman’s Little White House, Historic Seaport at Key West Bight, Observation Tower

Famous People (Locals / Residents): J immy Buffett (musician), Harry S. Truman (US President), Ernest Hemingway (author), Tennessee Williams (author), Robert Fuller (actor), Calvin Klein (fashion designer), George Mira (football player, quarterback)

Florida Counties and County Seats

According to Countryaah, there are a total of 67 counties in the state of Florida.

1. Alachua County (County Seat: Gainesville)
2. Baker County (County Seat: Macclenny)
3. Bay County (County Seat: Panama City)
4. Bradford County (County Seat: Starke)
5. Brevard County (County Seat: Titusville)
6. Broward County (County Seat: Fort Lauderdale)
7. Calhoun County (County Seat: Blountstown)
8. Charlotte County (County Seat: Punta Gorda)
9. Citrus County (County Seat: Inverness)
10. Clay County (County Seat: Green Cove Springs)
11. Collier County (County Seat: Naples)
12. Columbia County (County Seat: Lake City)
13. De Soto County (County Seat: Arcadia)
14. Dixie County (County Seat: Cross City)
15. Duval County (County Seat: Jacksonville)
16. Escambia County (County Seat: Pensacola)
17. Flagler County (County Seat: Bunnell)
18. Franklin County (County Seat: Apalachicola)
19. Gadsden County (County Seat: Quincy)
20. Gilchrist County (County Seat: Trenton)
21. Glades County (County Seat: Moore Haven)
22. Gulf County (County Seat: Port St. Joe)
23. Hamilton County (County Seat: Jasper)
24. Hardee County (County Seat: Wauchula)
25. Hendry County (County Seat: LaBelle)
26. Hernando County (County Seat: Brooksville)
27. Highlands County (County Seat: Sebring)
28. Hillsborough County (County Seat: Tampa)
29. Holmes County (County Seat: Bonifay)
30. Indian River County (County Seat: Vero Beach)
31. Jackson County (County Seat: Marianna)
32. Jefferson County (County Seat: Monticello)
33. Lafayette County (County Seat: Mayo)
34. Lake County (County Seat: Tavares)
35. Lee County (County Seat: Fort Myers)
36. Leon County (County Seat: Tallahassee)
37. Levy County (County Seat: Bronson)
38. Liberty County (County Seat: Bristol)
39. Madison County (County Seat: Madison)
40. Manatee County (County Seat: Bradenton)
41. Marion County (County Seat: Ocala)
42. Martin County (County Seat: Stuart)
43. Miami-Dade County (County Seat: Miami)
44. Monroe County (County Seat: Key West)
45. Nassau County (County Seat: Fernandina Beach)
46. Okaloosa County (County Seat: Crestview)
47. Okeechobee County (County Seat: Okeechobee)
48. Orange County (County Seat: Orlando)
49. Osceola County (County Seat: Kissimmee)
50. Palm Beach County (County Seat: West Palm Beach)
51. Pasco County (County Seat: Dade City)
52. Pinellas County (County Seat: Clearwater)
53. Polk County (County Seat: Bartow)
54. Putnam County (County Seat: Palatka)
55. Santa Rosa County (County Seat: Milton)
56. Sarasota County (County Seat: Sarasota)
57. Seminole County (County Seat: Sanford)
58. St. Johns County (County Seat: St. Augustine)
59. St. Lucie County (County Seat: Fort Pierce)
60. Sumter County (County Seat: Bushnell)
61. Suwannee County (County Seat: Live Oak)
62. Taylor County (County Seat: Perry)
63. Union County (County Seat: Lake Butler)
64. Volusia County (County Seat: DeLand)
65. Wakulla County (County Seat: Crawfordville)
66. Walton County (County Seat: De Funiak Springs)
67. Washington County (County Seat: Chipley)