Florida, Southeastern state with 1,350-mile coastline in United States
The peninsula stretches between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, underlain by a limestone plateau that has created numerous underground caves and sinkholes. Tropical and subtropical vegetation covers the southern portion, while pine forests and hardwood hammocks characterize interior regions. The Keys extend southwest from the mainland as a chain of coral and limestone islands.
Spain ceded the territory to the United States in 1821 after periods under British control, and statehood followed in 1845. The Seminole Wars during the 1800s resulted from federal attempts to relocate indigenous populations westward. Railroad construction by Henry Flagler in the late 1800s opened the eastern coast to development and tourism, transforming the economy from agriculture to services.
Miami serves as a major gateway between North and South America, facilitating trade and cultural exchange across the hemisphere. The state has absorbed successive waves of immigration from Cuba, Haiti and Puerto Rico, reshaping its demographic character and establishing Spanish as a widely spoken language throughout urban centers.
Three major international airports in Miami, Orlando and Tampa provide direct access from Europe and Latin America, while an extensive highway network connects principal cities. Hurricane season officially runs from June through November, affecting travel planning and accommodation availability. State parks require advance reservations during winter months when northern visitors arrive in greatest numbers.
The Suwannee River flows more than 400 km (250 miles) through undeveloped territory without a single bridge crossing its course between its source in the Okefenokee Swamp and its mouth at the Gulf. Tarpon Springs maintains the highest percentage of Greek Americans in any US city, a legacy of sponge diving operations established in the late 1800s that continue today.
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