Florida: 15 Essential Facts About the Sunshine State

Florida is more than beaches: it is wetlands, spaceflight, ancient cities, islands, and a crossroads of cultures.

15 Essential Facts About Florida

1. Florida entered the Union as the 27th state on March 3, 1845.

Florida entered the Union as the 27th state on March 3, 1845.

2. Tallahassee is the capital and Jacksonville is the largest city.

Tallahassee is the capital and Jacksonville is the largest city.

3. It is known as the Sunshine State.

It is known as the Sunshine State.

4. The Everglades is a vast subtropical wetland.

The Everglades is a vast subtropical wetland.

5. Florida has coast on both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Florida has coast on both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

6. St

St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the U.S.

7. The Florida Keys form a long island chain.

The Florida Keys form a long island chain.

8. Cape Canaveral is a major U.S

Cape Canaveral is a major U.S. launch site.

9. The state has the country’s largest concentration of freshwater springs.

The state has the country’s largest concentration of freshwater springs.

10. Orange groves helped define its agricultural identity.

Orange groves helped define its agricultural identity.

11. Alligators are an iconic native species.

Alligators are an iconic native species.

12. The state motto is In God We Trust.

The state motto is In God We Trust.

13. Miami is a major gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America.

Miami is a major gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America.

14. Coral reefs lie off the southern coast.

Coral reefs lie off the southern coast.

15. Florida’s history joins Indigenous, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and American stories.

Florida’s history joins Indigenous, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and American stories.

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