Florida Information
Find information, maps and high quality videos & photographs on locations in Florida
Regions of Florida
Kids aren't the only ones vacationing in Central Florida. The region is just plain fun, no matter..
North Florida InformationThere's no doubt that many of the state's most important places are in North Florida. There's..
South Florida InformationFew places in the world offer quite the mix of enticements found in South Florida. Of the man-made..
Florida Information
Located in the far south east of the United States Florida is the 4th most populous state in the US behind California, Texas and New York. Known as ‘The Sunshine State’ Florida is famous for her abundance of white sandy beaches, subtropical climate, and cool ocean breezes. Being bound on three sides by water, Florida’s climate is greatly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Gulf of Mexico to the west. The seasons are defined by weather more than by temperature - the long, hot wet season during the spring and summer months is contrasted by the cool, dry autumn and winter period. The months of June to November are the hurricane season and these severe storms can be very dangerous. The northern part of Florida, where the state’s capital of Tallahassee is located, is generally mild in the winter months and warm and humid in summer, whereas the southern part of the state, home to the cities of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, can have a truly tropical climate.
Inhabited by native American indians for thousands of years, the first European discovery of Florida was made by the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León in 1513. It was later that century (in the 1550s and ‘60s) that both Spain and France set up settlements in Florida. The Spanish colony eventually prospered and was more successful, being very effective in establishing communications with the local Indians.
It was the nearby English colonies who eroded the Spanish domination of Florida with the assistance of local Indian tribes. The territory was formerly ceded to Britain in 1763 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, and the territory was divided into East and West Florida.
Following Britain’s defeat by the Americans in the American Revolutionary War, Florida was again placed under Spanish control and remained so until being ceded to the United States in 1819 when it became a US Territory.
Florida became the 27th State of the United States of America in 1845. It formerly withdrew from the Union in 1861 and became a member of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. It was not until three years after the war’s end, in 1868, that Florida was readmitted to the Union.
For visitors to Florida the first thing you’ll notice apart from the tropical climate is the sunshine. In fact for every hour of daylight the sun shines about 70% of the time. Taking advantage of the glorious weather, most outdoor activities centre around the warm golden beaches that line the coast. There are over 1900 km (1180 miles) of beaches to choose from along the 3660 km (2276 miles) coastline. Other notable highlights of Florida are the Everglades National Park which contains the biggest subtropical wilderness in the US and the Florida Keys (known as the American Caribbean) which includes the world famous snorkeling and scuba diving island-resort of Key Largo. And whilst in Florida be sure to visit the many theme parks on offer. Walt Disney World is a sprawling theme park complex spread over 25,000 acres located in the cities of Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, 32 km (20miles) southwest of Orlando. And Universal Studios and SeaWorld are both situated in Orlando.
With its glorious weather, magnificent beaches, and over 17,000 kms (10,500 miles) of rivers, streams and waterways Florida is a true vacation paradise.
Highlights of Florida
Gradual hills, antebellum plantations and canopied roads lend Tallahassee its gentility. Drive the..
Everglades InformationCreated in 1947, the Everglades National Park encompasses nearly 1.5 million acres of South Florida..
Miami Beach InformationHere, the playground is as pretty as the players. Palms and the Atlantic Ocean landscape Art Deco..
Orlando InformationIf Lake Buena Vista belongs to Disney (and it does), Orlando claims everything else - namely..
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