| Florida is in the extreme SE United States. A long, low peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is bordered to the north by Georgia and Alabama. To the south you enter paradise then international waters then a short 90 mile swim to Cuba. Although most seem to be swimming from there to here! MAINLAND THE KEYS Area, 58,560 sq mi (151,670 sq km). 821 Islands 43 inhabited Pop. (2000) 15,982,378, 77,450 Capital,Tallahassee. Conch Republic Largest city,Jacksonville. Key West Nickname, Sunshine State. Margaretaville Motto,In God We Trust. A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work State bird, mockingbird. Frigate State flower, orange blossom. Hibiscus State tree, Sabal palmetto palm. Sea Grape State Dessert, ? Key Lime Pie Tourism plays a primary role in our economy. In 2007 visitors to Florida spent over $79 billion. Mickey Mouse and others like him got the bulk of this money, a cluster of theme parks near Orlando that is one of the world's leading tourist attractions; Universal Studios, a combination theme park and film and television production facility, also near Orlando; and other attractions draw millions yearly. Famed beaches, such as those at Miami Beach , Daytona Beach , and Fort Lauderdale , attract hordes of vacationers. With more than 4,001 sq mi (10,360 sq km) of inland water and with the sea readily accessible from almost anywhere in the state, Florida is a fishing paradise. Other attractions include Everglades National Park, with its unusual plant and animal life; Palm Beach, with its palatial estates; and Sanibel Island's picturesque resorts.
When you are finished with the touristy things and you want to experience the "American Caribbean" you head south from Miami on US 1 and enter the fabulous Florida Keys. As you hit the "18 mile stretch" you can feel your heart rate drop. All of a sudden you want a margarita with salt on the rim. The weather is almost always nice and the drive through the Keys is one you will not forget for a long long time. Come visit us and you will probably seriously consider staying for a lifetime. * Information about much of this is made up... |