Florida, Southeastern state with 1,350-mile coastline in United States
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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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The Orlando area and its surroundings offer much more than theme parks. A thirty-minute drive from Walt Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral traces American space exploration history with full-scale rockets and Apollo mission exhibits. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy Gatorland, a...
Florida combines multiple facets: Orlando's amusement parks, the protected wetlands of the Everglades, Miami's beaches, and the Keys archipelago. This route passes through national parks, historic sites, coastal lighthouses, and botanical gardens. Visitors explore diverse ecosystems including...
Florida's coastline stretches along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, offering a wide range of beach experiences. The state has urban beaches near Miami where the energy and nightlife attract crowds, natural reserves in the Keys that feel more remote and isolated, and family-friendly...
Florida offers a trip that includes theme parks, white sandy beaches, and nature reserves where children can see alligators and birds in their environment. Orlando has several parks like Disney's Hollywood Studios and LEGOLAND Florida, while Miami shows its energy in busy neighborhoods and along the...
Walt Disney World Resort
69 km
Coral Castle
270.9 km
Hard Rock Stadium
234.3 km
Epcot
68.9 km
Gatorade
227.8 km
Universal Studios Florida
80 km
Disney's Hollywood Studios
67.6 km
Magic Kingdom
74.6 km
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
118.7 km
Camping World Stadium
87.3 km
Raymond James Stadium
105.1 km
Disney's Animal Kingdom
68.1 km
Universal Orlando Resort
79.9 km
Daytona International Speedway
163.7 km
VelociCoaster
79.5 km
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
69.3 km
Versailles house
80.2 km
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
67.8 km
Tropicana Field
117.2 km
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
79.7 km
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
79.7 km
Volcano Bay
78.4 km
Conch Republic
357.4 km
SeaWorld Orlando
72.8 km
Seven Mile Bridge
343.1 km
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
74.8 km
Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39
124.3 km
Everglades National Park
282.9 km
Alachua County
Baker County
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Calhoun County
Charlotte County
Citrus County
Clay County
Collier County
Columbia County
DeSoto County
Dixie County
Duval County
Escambia County
Flagler County
Franklin County
Gadsden County
Gilchrist County
Glades County
Gulf County
Hamilton County
Hardee County
Hendry County
Hernando County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Holmes County
Indian River County
Jackson County
Jefferson County
Lafayette County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Madison County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Nassau County
Okaloosa County
Okeechobee County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
St. Johns County
St. Lucie County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
Sumter County
Suwannee County
Taylor County
Union County
Volusia County
Wakulla County
Walton County
Washington County
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