Culture of Florida facts for kids
The culture of Florida is a cool mix of different traditions. In rural northern Florida, you'll find culture similar to other Southern U.S. states, especially around the Panhandle. But in big cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, things are much more diverse!
Many people have moved to Florida from other parts of the U.S. and from countries around the world. This means Florida's culture has been greatly shaped by ideas from the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe. It's a true melting pot of cultures, values, and ideas.
Being close to the ocean also really influences daily life in Florida. Lots of people love boating, surfing, and diving. Florida has more charter boat companies than any other U.S. state. Snorkeling is a popular weekend activity in southern Florida. You can even find places to learn diving and snorkeling! In northern Florida, there are many horse farms. The area around Ocala is famous for breeding racehorses. Tourism is also a huge part of Florida's culture, bringing in visitors from everywhere.
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Tasty Food in Florida
Florida's food scene is super exciting! Southern Florida has been influenced by delicious foods from the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. But you can find classic Southern food all over the state.
Florida is famous for its fresh seafood, yummy key lime pie, and a unique style called Floribbean cuisine. This style mixes Florida's fresh ingredients with Caribbean flavors. Growing citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits is a big business here, so these fruits are eaten a lot. Tropical fruits also grow in South Florida and are used in many dishes. Barbecue is very popular too, with many competitions held each year. Florida's food has been shaped by traditions from places like the Bahamas, Colombia, Spain, and Cuba.
How Florida Makes Money
Florida's population grows faster than most states every year. The main way Florida makes money is through tourism. Hotels, restaurants, fun activities, and other things related to visitors are very important for the economy.
Many people from other states choose to retire in Florida. This helps the economy by boosting home building and new roads. It also helps banks and financial planning businesses. Fishing, both for fun and for selling, has been important in Florida for over 100 years. Florida is also a big farming state. It produces lots of vegetables, fruits, cattle, and dairy products. Recently, more factories have opened in Florida. Some companies have even moved their main offices here because of lower taxes.
Languages Spoken in Florida
Florida is a place where many different languages are spoken! In 2005, about 74.5% of people aged 5 and older spoke English at home. But a large number, about 18.6%, spoke Spanish.
Other languages spoken include French Creole (mostly Haitian Creole), French, German, and Portuguese. You can also hear Italian, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic. In total, about 25% of Florida's population speaks a language other than English at home. The public school system in Florida has identified over 200 different first languages spoken by students!
Florida Books and Writers
Florida literature is as varied as the state itself. It includes fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Some of it is part of the American Southern literature style. Many famous writers have connections to Florida. These include Ernest Hemingway, known for his adventurous stories, and Zora Neale Hurston, who wrote about African American life in the South. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote "The Yearling," a classic story set in rural Florida.
Music from Florida
Florida is known as the birthplace of Southern Rock music! Famous bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, and The Allman Brothers all started in northern Florida. The Outlaws came from Tampa Bay.
Florida also has its own unique music styles, like Freestyle Florida breaks and Miami bass. Since the 1990s, Miami has become a big center for electronic, rap, and reggaeton music. Miami Music Week, which started in 2010, is a huge event for electronic music. Top EDM artists from all over the world come to perform there. Other famous musicians from Florida include Tom Petty and K.C. and the Sunshine Band.
Sports and Fun Activities
Florida is a huge state for sports and outdoor fun! It has professional teams in all the major sports leagues.
- Football: Three National Football League (NFL) teams: the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Baseball: Two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams: the Miami Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays.
- Basketball: Two National Basketball Association (NBA) teams: the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic.
- Hockey: Two National Hockey League (NHL) teams: the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Soccer: Two Major League Soccer teams: Orlando City SC and Inter Miami FC.
Besides professional sports, Florida offers tons of outdoor activities. You can go hiking, surfing, and even hunting. The state also has famous auto-racing tracks like Daytona International Speedway. The Miami Grand Prix is a big Formula One car race that started in 2022.
