Facts about Florida

"The Sunshine State" is Florida's official state nickname because of the many sunny days in Florida. It was adopted by the 1970 Legislature. Florida was admitted to the U.S. as a State on March 3, 1845 as the 27th state.

Florida actually means "full (or feast) of flowers" named by explorer Ponce de Leon because of all the flowers he saw when he landed here in 1513. Florida's semi-tropical climate allows it to have year-round flowers and lush vegetation.

Florida is the fourth largest state in the country as far as population is concerned. Florida's population was 16,713,149 according to the 2002 cencus.

Florida has more golf courses than any other state, there are almost 1300 golf courses in Florida.

Florida is the only state that has 2 rivers both with the same name. There is a Withlacoochee in north central Florida (Madison County) and a Withlacoochee in central Florida. They have nothing in common but their name.

During the 1991 Gulf War the busiest military port in the country was Jacksonville. From this location the military moved more supplies and people than any other port in the country.

The first graded road built in Florida was Old Kings Road in 1763. It was named for King George of England.

Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West was built between 1845 and 1866. Controlled by the Union during the Civil War, the fort was the home base for a successful blockade of Confederate ships that some historians say shortened the conflict by a full year. The fort also was active during the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.

40% of all U.S. exports to Latin and South America pass through Florida.

with 76.8 million visitors in 2004 (a record number), Florida is the top travel destination in the world.

There are more than 20 major commercial airports and 12 international airports in the state of Florida.

Facts about Florida

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