The State Capital of Florida is in Tallahassee. Florida was the 27th state to enter the Union (March 3, 1845). Its nickname is The Sunshine State. It borders on Alabama, Georgia, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Its land area is 58,660 square miles making it the 22nd largest state and the second largest (after Georgia) east of the Mississippi River, yet the state of Florida is bigger than England. It is the southernmost state in the continental United States (Hawaii is farther south). The State Song: "Old Folks at Home" was written by Stephen C. Foster (also called "Swanee River") in 1851, yet the composer had never visited the state and was not familiar with the Suwannee River. Foster's song became the official state song in 1935. The Suwannee River originates in Okeefenokee Swamp in Georgia and flows south to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. The river separates the Florida panhandle from the rest of the state.
Florida has 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, which encompass 663 miles of some of the most beaches in the world. There are more than 4,500 islands off Florida's coast. The most well known are the Florida Keys, of which Key Largo, about 29 mi (47 km) long and less than 2 mi (3 km) wide, is the largest. Key West, at the tip of the islands that are accessible by auto, is less than 4 mi (6 km) long and 2 mi (3 km) wide, and is a popular resort. Florida has about 7,800 lakes, some as small as one acre. The largest is 448,000-acre Lake Okeechobee, the second largest lake in the U.S. It has a surface area of about 700 sq. mi. (1,800 sq km), and is the fourth-largest natural lake located entirely within the United States. The Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is part of the famed Florida Everglades and is open to the public. The refuge covers 221 square miles and is located west of Boynton Beach off State Road 7 (Rt.441). Palm Beach County's 45-mile stretch of Atlantic shoreline was nicknamed Florida's Gold Coast after gold was recovered from Spanish galleons that sank offshore. Key West's coral reef is the third largest in the world, and is also the largest in North America. No matter where you are in Florida, you've never more than 65 miles from the ocean.
The Alligator originally symbolized Florida's extensive untamed wilderness and swamps. Alligators are found throughout Florida and prefer lakes, swamps, canals, and wetland regions. Alligators eat fish, turtles, and a variety of other animals. In late June and early July, female alligators usually lay thirty to fifty eggs in mound-shaped nests made of reeds and other vegetation. Baby alligators hatch after an incubation period of about two months. When hatched, alligators are already fully developed and about eight inches long. Mature male alligators average between six to twelve feet in length, with females may grow to nine feet. Alligators are cold-blooded reptiles so they often sun themselves on banks near water. Gators can move surprisingly fast over short distances, and their powerful jaws and swinging tails make them dangerous to approach. The Porpoise or Dolphin may be hard to tell apart, but in Florida both names refer to the Bottlenose dolphin, the species commonly found along Florida's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. (Porpoises are a different saltwater mammal and are not commonly found in Florida waters.) Dolphins are gray with a lighter underside and most are six- to eight-feet in length. Dolphins use echolocation, much like sonar, to determine their orientation. Many live to the age of thirty.
Sailfish are found nearly everywhere there is warm ocean water. However, Florida sailfishing is legendary, especially in the Fort Pierce, Miami, and Keys areas during colder months. Sailfish migrate southward as the weather chills in the north and can reach speeds up to sixty mph. The average Florida sailfish is six to seven feet in length and weights thirty to forty-five pounds. The Largemouth Bass is one of America's most-prized gamefish, and the Florida largemouth bass grow larger in Florida's warmer waters. They can reach to more than 20 inches and weigh more than 15 pounds. The Florida black bass is an elongated sunfish with an exceptionally large mouth, and has a deep notch in the dorsal fin. They can be found in quiet waters that contain plenty of vegetation. The Mockingbird is an excellent superb songbird has a pleasant lilting sound that is both varied and repetitive. They may grow to 10 inches with a 15-inch wingspan. You'll recognize them by their grayish upper portions, white undersides, and white patches on the tail and wings. The female has slightly less whiteness in its feathers than the male. The mockingbird is helpful to humans because it usually feeds on insects and weed seeds. The male and female build a nest jointly from grass and twigs usually housed in dense bushes. There are usually three to six eggs per nest, pale blue-green with brown spots. This year-round Florida resident is known for its fierce defense of the family nest. The Zebra Longwing has long black wings with distinctive thin yellow bands. The zebra longwing is found throughout the state, but is more common in south Florida, in thickets and gardens and especially in the hardwood hammocks in the Everglades National Park.
Florida was underwater for much of geological history, allowing millions of shells of sea animals to decay and form the thick layers of limestone that cover much of the state. The peninsula rose above sea level approximately 20 million years ago, yet southern portion remained largely submerged, until the buildup of coral and sand on its perimeter blocked the sea. The sedentary marine vegetation decayed and formed the peaty soil of the present-day Everglades. Today, Florida has seven floral zones: flatwoods, scrublands, grassy swamps, savannas, salt marshes, hardwood forests (hammocks), and pinelands.
There are many reasons to move to Florida and some of them are: Southern Florida is one of the warmest places in the United States in winter. There is no personal income tax in Florida, and you can get homestead tax exemptions on your home. Home prices are comparatively low and when you compare the benefits of living in Florida with any other state, you'll see why Florida is the best choice. Entertaining and natural theme parks. Hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches. Active vacation lifestyle all year long. Excellent Healthcare due to the fact that Florida is a major retirement area and some of the best medical centers in the nation are here. These are just a few reasons to move to Florida, but whatever your reason, Florida is a fantastic place to live, work and play.
Florida has 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline, which encompass 663 miles of some of the most beaches in the world. There are more than 4,500 islands off Florida's coast. The most well known are the Florida Keys, of which Key Largo, about 29 mi (47 km) long and less than 2 mi (3 km) wide, is the largest. Key West, at the tip of the islands that are accessible by auto, is less than 4 mi (6 km) long and 2 mi (3 km) wide, and is a popular resort. Florida has about 7,800 lakes, some as small as one acre. The largest is 448,000-acre Lake Okeechobee, the second largest lake in the U.S. It has a surface area of about 700 sq. mi. (1,800 sq km), and is the fourth-largest natural lake located entirely within the United States. The Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is part of the famed Florida Everglades and is open to the public. The refuge covers 221 square miles and is located west of Boynton Beach off State Road 7 (Rt.441). Palm Beach County's 45-mile stretch of Atlantic shoreline was nicknamed Florida's Gold Coast after gold was recovered from Spanish galleons that sank offshore. Key West's coral reef is the third largest in the world, and is also the largest in North America. No matter where you are in Florida, you've never more than 65 miles from the ocean.
The Alligator originally symbolized Florida's extensive untamed wilderness and swamps. Alligators are found throughout Florida and prefer lakes, swamps, canals, and wetland regions. Alligators eat fish, turtles, and a variety of other animals. In late June and early July, female alligators usually lay thirty to fifty eggs in mound-shaped nests made of reeds and other vegetation. Baby alligators hatch after an incubation period of about two months. When hatched, alligators are already fully developed and about eight inches long. Mature male alligators average between six to twelve feet in length, with females may grow to nine feet. Alligators are cold-blooded reptiles so they often sun themselves on banks near water. Gators can move surprisingly fast over short distances, and their powerful jaws and swinging tails make them dangerous to approach. The Porpoise or Dolphin may be hard to tell apart, but in Florida both names refer to the Bottlenose dolphin, the species commonly found along Florida's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. (Porpoises are a different saltwater mammal and are not commonly found in Florida waters.) Dolphins are gray with a lighter underside and most are six- to eight-feet in length. Dolphins use echolocation, much like sonar, to determine their orientation. Many live to the age of thirty.
Sailfish are found nearly everywhere there is warm ocean water. However, Florida sailfishing is legendary, especially in the Fort Pierce, Miami, and Keys areas during colder months. Sailfish migrate southward as the weather chills in the north and can reach speeds up to sixty mph. The average Florida sailfish is six to seven feet in length and weights thirty to forty-five pounds. The Largemouth Bass is one of America's most-prized gamefish, and the Florida largemouth bass grow larger in Florida's warmer waters. They can reach to more than 20 inches and weigh more than 15 pounds. The Florida black bass is an elongated sunfish with an exceptionally large mouth, and has a deep notch in the dorsal fin. They can be found in quiet waters that contain plenty of vegetation. The Mockingbird is an excellent superb songbird has a pleasant lilting sound that is both varied and repetitive. They may grow to 10 inches with a 15-inch wingspan. You'll recognize them by their grayish upper portions, white undersides, and white patches on the tail and wings. The female has slightly less whiteness in its feathers than the male. The mockingbird is helpful to humans because it usually feeds on insects and weed seeds. The male and female build a nest jointly from grass and twigs usually housed in dense bushes. There are usually three to six eggs per nest, pale blue-green with brown spots. This year-round Florida resident is known for its fierce defense of the family nest. The Zebra Longwing has long black wings with distinctive thin yellow bands. The zebra longwing is found throughout the state, but is more common in south Florida, in thickets and gardens and especially in the hardwood hammocks in the Everglades National Park.
Florida was underwater for much of geological history, allowing millions of shells of sea animals to decay and form the thick layers of limestone that cover much of the state. The peninsula rose above sea level approximately 20 million years ago, yet southern portion remained largely submerged, until the buildup of coral and sand on its perimeter blocked the sea. The sedentary marine vegetation decayed and formed the peaty soil of the present-day Everglades. Today, Florida has seven floral zones: flatwoods, scrublands, grassy swamps, savannas, salt marshes, hardwood forests (hammocks), and pinelands.
There are many reasons to move to Florida and some of them are: Southern Florida is one of the warmest places in the United States in winter. There is no personal income tax in Florida, and you can get homestead tax exemptions on your home. Home prices are comparatively low and when you compare the benefits of living in Florida with any other state, you'll see why Florida is the best choice. Entertaining and natural theme parks. Hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches. Active vacation lifestyle all year long. Excellent Healthcare due to the fact that Florida is a major retirement area and some of the best medical centers in the nation are here. These are just a few reasons to move to Florida, but whatever your reason, Florida is a fantastic place to live, work and play.
About the Author:
Everyone wants to know where to live in Florida. If you're searching for the best Florida Retirement Communities, I recommend you check out a builder like GL Homes.
