Florida
- Just the Facts
- Encyclopedias & Almanacs
- State Links
- Did You Know
- State's Famous People
| Abbreviation | FL Source: United States Postal Service - Abbreviations |
|---|---|
| Capital | Tallahassee |
| Population | 18,801,310 Source: Resident Population Data - 2010 Census |
| Governor | Rick Scott (Republican, to January 2015) |
| Entered the Union | March 3, 1845 as the 27th state |
| Motto | In God we trust |
| Nickname | The Sunshine State |
| Flower | Orange Blossom |
| Bird | Mockingbird |
| Song | The Suwanee River (Old Folks at Home) |
| Professional Sports Teams | Miami Heat, Orlando Magic (Men's Basketball); Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Football); Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Marlins (Baseball); Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning (Hockey) (sports listing policy) |
| Origin of Name | From the Spanish, meaning "feast of flowers" |
| Historical Sites | St. Augustine, Fort Matanza National Monument, DeSoto National Memorial, Fort Jefferson National Monument |
| Points of Interest | Walt Disney World, EPCOT Center, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Everglades National Park, Busch Gardens, Key West, Sea World, Ormond-Daytona Beach, Universal Studios Florida |
| Bordering States | Florida borders Georgia and Alabama |
| Flag |  |
Follow these links to read articles about Florida from Encyclopedias and Almanacs:
Official State Links
- My Florida.com: the Official Portal for the State of Florida.
http://www.myflorida.com/
This is the official website for the State of Florida. - State Library & Archives of Florida - Florida Department of State
http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/
Here is the homepage for The Division of Library and Information Services for the State of Florida. - The Florida Historical Society
http://www.florida-historical-soc.org/
Here is the homepage for the Florida State Historical Society. - Museum of Florida History
http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/museum/
Here is the homepage for the Florida State History Museum. - Florida State Archives
http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/index_researchers.cfm
Here is the homepage for the Florida State Archives. - Florida Division of Recreation and Parks
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/
Here is the homepage for Florida Division of Recreation and Parks, from the Department of Environmental Protection. - Official Florida Online Parks Guide
http://www.floridastateparks.org/
Here is the homepage for the Official Florida Online Park Guide. - Visit Florida
http://www.VISITFLORIDA.com
Here is the official state travel website for Florida. - Florida Kids
http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/kids/
Here is the official Florida Kids web site!
Other State Links
- 50states.com: Florida
http://www.50states.com/florida.htm
The site provides a wealth of information about Florida. It includes everything from the highest point to county profile to climate. - Things To Do in Florida
http://www.thingstodo.com/states/FL/index.htm
ThingsToDo.com is an online guide to information about Florida's entertainment, recreation, and travel, and includes the state's interesting facts, famous people, and special events. - Roadside America: Florida Attractions
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/map/fl.html
Roadside America describes itself as an online guide to offbeat attractions. This site offers reviews of "weird sites along the highway" in Florida. - Florida Smart: Your Florida Web Guide
http://www.floridasmart.com/
If you want to learn about facts, history, maps and even live webcams, check out this page for everything about Florida! - FedStats: MapStat: United States: Florida
http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/12000.html
Fast access to statistics from more than 100 federal agencies on "economic and population trends, crime, education, health care, aviation safety, energy use, farm production and more" in Florida.
- Pelican Island was the first federal wildlife refuge in the U. S. It was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903.
- The U. S. Navy Aeronautic Station in Pensacola was the first Navy training center for pilots. It was established in 1914.
- More passenger ships pass through Miami's port than any other city in the U. S.
Some Famous People from this State
- Jim Morrison (1943-1971) was the legendary lead singer of the band The Doors. His grave in Paris, France, has become a popular tourist attraction.
- Dwight Gooden, who was born November 16, 1964, in Tampa, is one of the best pitchers in baseball history. He currently plays for the New York Yankees.
- Sidney Poitier was born in Miami on February 20, 1927. He was the first African-American actor to win an Oscar, which he won for the movie "Lilies of the Fields."