Florida (/ˈflɒrɪdə/ florr-IH-də) is a state in the Southeastern United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. This makes it the only state that touches both the Gulf and the Atlantic. Florida also shares borders with Alabama and Georgia.

About two-thirds of Florida is a long piece of land called a peninsula. It stretches out between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, stretching over 1,350 miles (2,170 km).

With more than 21 million people, Florida is the third most populated state in the U.S. It ranks eighth in how many people live in each square mile. Florida is also the 22nd largest state by land area. The Miami metropolitan area is the biggest city area, with over 6 million people. Jacksonville is the most populated city. Other big cities include Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Tallahassee, which is the state capital.

Native American tribes lived in Florida for at least 14,000 years. In 1513, a Spanish explorer named Juan Ponce de León was the first European to land here. He called the area La Florida, meaning "land of flowers." The first permanent European settlement in the continental U.S. was St. Augustine, founded in 1565.

Florida became the 27th U.S. state on March 3, 1845. It was a place where slavery was allowed. The state was also the main location for the Seminole Wars, which were long conflicts with Native American tribes. Florida left the U.S. in 1861 to join the Confederate States of America. It rejoined the U.S. after the American Civil War in 1868.

Since the mid-1900s, Florida has grown very quickly. Its economy is now the fourth largest of any U.S. state. It's even bigger than many countries! The main industries are tourism, hotels, agriculture, and real estate. Florida is famous for its beaches, amusement parks like Walt Disney World, and sunny weather. Millions of people visit every year. Many people also move to Florida to retire or for seasonal vacations.

Florida's culture is shaped by its closeness to the ocean and its history. Many different groups of people have moved here over time. This includes people from Africa, Europe, Native American groups, and Latin America. Florida's climate is mostly warm. It has unique natural areas like Everglades National Park, which is a huge tropical wilderness. You can find animals like American alligators, Florida panthers, and manatees there. The Florida Reef is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S.

Florida's Past: A Quick Look

Map of Florida, likely based on the expeditions of Hernando de Soto (1539-1543).

St. Augustine is the oldest city in Florida, established in 1565.

Before Europeans arrived, many Native American groups lived in Florida. These included the Apalachee, Timucua, Ais, Tocobaga, Calusa, and Tequesta.

In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed in Florida. He named it La Florida, meaning "land of flowers." The popular story that he was looking for the Fountain of Youth is just a myth.

Much of south Florida used to be covered by a huge swamp called the Everglades. In the late 1800s, farmers started draining the water to create more land for crops. Later, in 1947, canals were built to make even more room for farms and homes. Today, the Everglades is about half its original size. Most of what is left is now Everglades National Park. Many animals, like alligators and Florida panthers, live there. Efforts are now being made to restore parts of the Everglades.

In 1763, Spain traded Florida to Great Britain. This happened after the British captured Havana, Cuba, during the Seven Years' War. Florida became part of Britain's growing territory.

A Cracker cowboy, 19th century.

On March 3, 1845, Florida officially became the 27th state in the United States. At this time, Florida was a state where slavery was allowed.

Until the mid-1900s, Florida had fewer people than other Southern states. In 1900, its population was only about 528,000. Almost half of these people were African American. Many African Americans later left Florida for northern cities. They were looking for better jobs, education, and more rights.

Historically, Florida's economy relied on farming. People grew crops like sugarcane, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and strawberries. They also raised cattle. In the 1920s, more people started visiting Florida. This led to a boom in tourism and the building of hotels and resorts.

By 2010, Florida's population had grown to over 18 million. It became the most populated state in the Southeastern U.S. and the fourth most populated in the entire country.

Florida's Geography and Climate

A topographic map of Florida.

Köppen climate types of Florida

Most of Florida sits on a peninsula. This land is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. The state also has a "panhandle" that stretches to the northwest. Florida is bordered by Georgia and Alabama to the north. It is the only state that touches both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida is west of The Bahamas and about 90 miles (145 km) north of Cuba. It is one of the largest states east of the Mississippi River. Only Alaska and Michigan have more water area.

The highest point in Florida is Britton Hill, which is only 345 feet (105 meters) above sea level. This is the lowest high point of any U.S. state. Much of Florida is very flat and close to sea level.

Florida's Weather and Seasons

The Royal Poinciana grows in South Florida and blooms in the winter. This shows South Florida's tropical climate.

Summer afternoon showers from the Everglades traveling eastward over Downtown Miami.

Fall foliage occurs annually in North Florida.

Snow is uncommon in Florida, but has occurred in every major Florida city at least once.

Winter in Miami. Miami's tropical climate makes it a top tourist destination in the winter.

Florida's climate is mostly warm and humid. The northern parts have a humid subtropical climate. Areas south of Lake Okeechobee, including the Florida Keys, have a true tropical climate. Florida is the only state besides Hawaii with a tropical climate.

Snow is very rare in Florida. It might happen in the far northern regions on rare occasions. Frost is more common in the panhandle.

Florida is called the "Sunshine State," but it also has severe weather. Central Florida is known as the lightning capital of the U.S. This means it gets more lightning strikes than anywhere else. Florida also gets a lot of rain, especially from late spring to early autumn. This is because of common afternoon thunderstorms.

Florida has many tornadoes, but they are usually not as strong as those in the Midwest. Hurricanes are a big threat every year. The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Florida is the most hurricane-prone state because of its long coastline and warm waters. Hurricane Andrew in 1992 was one of the most expensive weather disasters in U.S. history.

Animals of Florida

An alligator in the Florida Everglades.

Brown Pelican.

Bottlenose dolphin head, showing rostrum and blowhole.

Key deer in the lower Florida Keys.

The Florida scrub jay is found only in Florida.

West Indian manatee.

Florida panther, native of South Florida.

Leatherback sea turtle.

Whooping crane.

Florida is home to many different kinds of animals.

Marine Mammals: You can find bottlenose dolphins, North Atlantic right whales, and manatees in Florida's waters. The waters off Florida and Georgia are the only known place where northern right whales give birth.
Land Mammals: Some mammals living in Florida include the Florida panther, river otter, raccoon, and white-tailed deer. The number of native bears has grown from 300 in the 1970s to 3,000 in 2011.
Reptiles: Florida has many reptiles. These include rattlesnakes, gopher tortoises, and sea turtles. There are about one million American alligators and 1,500 crocodiles in Florida.
Birds: Many birds live in Florida, such as the bald eagle, osprey, and brown pelicans. The Florida scrub jay is a special bird found only in Florida. Many birds from eastern North America also spend the winter here.
Invertebrates: Common insects include carpenter ants, termites, and the American cockroach. The Miami blue butterfly is a unique insect found here.

Some non-native snakes and lizards have also been released in Florida. The state has even created a hunting season for large snakes like Burmese pythons and African rock pythons. There are also about 500,000 wild pigs in Florida.

Plants of Florida

Everglades National Park in Southern Florida.

Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys.

Ocala National Forest in Central and Northern Florida.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve in Northeast Florida.

Florida has about 3,000 different types of wildflowers. This makes it the third most diverse state for wildflowers in the U.S.

Along the east coast, you'll find mangroves dominating the shoreline from Cocoa Beach southward. To the north of St. Augustine, salt marshes are more common. Between these two areas, the coast can have both, depending on the weather each year.

Environmental Challenges in Florida

The beaches of Key Biscayne in Miami.

Florida faces some environmental issues. Red tide is a problem on the southwest coast. This is a harmful algae bloom. Scientists are studying what causes it.

The Florida panther is an endangered animal, meaning it is very close to disappearing forever.

Much of Florida is very low, often less than 12 feet (3.7 meters) above sea level. This means it is at risk from rising sea levels. This is a concern related to global warming.

How Florida is Governed

The old and new Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee.

Florida's government is set up like the U.S. federal government. It has three separate parts:

Executive Branch: Led by the Governor, who is currently Ron DeSantis.
Legislative Branch: This is the Florida Legislature. It has two parts: the Florida Senate (40 members) and the Florida House of Representatives (120 members). They make the laws.
Judicial Branch: This includes the courts, with the Supreme Court of Florida at the top.

Florida has 67 counties. Cities and counties get most of their money from property taxes. The state government gets most of its money from sales tax. Florida is one of eight states that does not have a personal income tax.

People and Languages of Florida

Population density of Florida according to the 2020 census.

Cuban American men playing dominoes in Miami's Little Havana.

Ethnic origins in Florida.

Florida's population was about 21.5 million people in 2020. It is one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S. Many people move to Florida from other states and countries.

Florida has a very diverse population. Many people have European backgrounds, especially German, Irish, and English. There are also many people of Hispanic or Latino heritage. The largest groups are from Cuba (especially in Miami) and Puerto Rico (especially in Orlando). Florida also has a large number of people of African descent. This includes African Americans whose families have been in the U.S. for a long time, and many people from the West Indies (like Haiti and Jamaica).

Languages Spoken in Florida

English is the official language of Florida. However, Spanish is also widely spoken, especially because many people have moved from Latin America. About 20% of the population speaks Spanish as their first language. More than 200 different languages are spoken in homes across Florida.

The most common languages spoken in Florida as a first language in 2010 were:

73% English
20% Spanish
2% Haitian Creole
Other languages less than 1% each

Religion in Florida

Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables, Florida.

Hindu Temple of Florida in Tampa.

Most people in Florida are Christian (70%). There are many different types of Protestants, like Baptists and Methodists. The Catholic Church is the largest single Christian group, partly because of the large Hispanic population.

Florida also has a significant Jewish community, especially in South Florida. This is the largest Jewish population in the southern U.S.

Florida's Economy

The Brickell Financial District in Miami has the largest number of international banks in the United States.

Visitors enjoying the beach at Pensacola Beach.

Florida's economy is the fourth largest in the United States. If Florida were its own country, its economy would be the 16th largest in the world!

Tourism is a huge part of Florida's economy. Florida is home to the Magic Kingdom, the most visited theme park in the world. Walt Disney World is also the largest single-site employer in the U.S. Florida is known globally for its beautiful beaches and warm climate. PortMiami is the largest passenger port in the world.

Agriculture is another big part of Florida's economy. Florida is the top grower of oranges for juice, mangoes, fresh tomatoes, and sugar. It's also a major producer of strawberries, avocados, and grapefruit.

Other important parts of Florida's economy include:

Finance and banking
Government and military (especially in Jacksonville and Pensacola)
Healthcare
Aerospace (like the Kennedy Space Center on the Space Coast)
Mining (for phosphate)
Fishing
Real estate
Technology (especially in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa)

Buildings and Design in Florida

Miami Art Deco District in South Beach, built during the 1920s and 1930s.

Florida has the largest collection of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne buildings in the world. Many of these are in the Miami metropolitan area, especially Miami Beach's Art Deco District. These were built when Miami was becoming a popular resort. A unique style called Miami Modern can also be seen in Miami.

Jacksonville has many different building styles. Some of the state's earliest skyscrapers were built there. Jacksonville also has many Prairie School buildings and Mid-Century modern architecture.

You can also find Spanish revival and Mediterranean Revival styles in Florida. St. Augustine, the oldest continuously settled European city in the U.S., has many examples of these styles.

Learning in Florida: Education

Florida State University in Tallahassee.

University of Miami in Coral Gables.

University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Florida International University in Miami.

University of South Florida in Tampa.

University of Florida in Gainesville.

In 2020, Florida was ranked the third best state in the U.S. for K-12 education (kindergarten through 12th grade). This ranking looked at things like academic success and graduation rates. Florida's higher education system (colleges and universities) was ranked first nationwide.

Schools for Kids (K-12)

Florida's public schools are managed by the Florida Department of Education. Each county has its own school district. These districts have an elected board that makes decisions about schools and budgets.

The Florida Department of Education also trains teachers to help students who are learning English as a new language.

Colleges and Universities

The State University System of Florida includes 12 public universities. In 2019, over 346,000 students attended these schools. Florida has some of the lowest tuition costs in the U.S. for four-year programs.

Three Florida universities are among the top 10 largest universities by student numbers in the U.S.:

The Florida College System has 28 public community and state colleges. These colleges have 68 campuses across the state. In 2016, over 813,000 students were enrolled.

Florida also has many private colleges and universities. The University of Miami in Coral Gables is a top private research university. Stetson University in DeLand was Florida's first private university, founded in 1883.

Getting Around Florida: Transportation

Roads and Highways

Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay, part of Florida's interstate system.

Florida has a large highway system. It includes over 1,495 miles (2,406 km) of interstate highways and 10,601 miles (17,061 km) of other highways. These roads are maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Florida has four main interstate highways:

I-4: This road goes 133 miles (214 km) across the middle of the state. It connects Tampa, Orlando, and Daytona Beach.
I-10: This highway goes 362 miles (583 km) through the Florida Panhandle. It connects Pensacola, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville.
I-75: This road runs 470 miles (756 km) through Florida. It enters near Lake City and goes south through Gainesville, Ocala, Tampa, and Fort Myers. It then crosses the "Alligator Alley" to Fort Lauderdale and ends near Miami.
I-95: This highway goes 382 miles (615 km) along Florida's Atlantic Coast. It connects Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, the Space Coast, and Fort Lauderdale, ending in Downtown Miami.

Before the interstate system, Florida built a long toll road called Florida's Turnpike. The first part was finished in 1957.

Airports in Florida

Orlando International Airport, the busiest airport in the state.

Florida has 131 public airports. The busiest airports are:

Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in West Palm Beach
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

Train Travel

The Brightline train at Fort Lauderdale's Brightline station.

Brightline: This is a fast train system. It connects downtown Miami to Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal in Orlando. It also stops in cities like West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
Amtrak: This national train service connects Florida's biggest cities to places north in the U.S. and Canada. Major Amtrak stations are in Sanford, Orlando, Tampa Union Station, Miami, and Jacksonville. Sanford is the southern end of the Auto Train, which carries cars and passengers from Virginia.

Public Transportation

Miami Metrorail, the state's only rapid transit system.

Jacksonville Skyway, one of the few people mover systems in use in the U.S. today.

Miami: Miami has a public transportation system called Miami-Dade Transit. It includes the Miami Metrorail (a train system), Miami-Dade Metromover (a smaller train in downtown Miami), and Metrobus (a bus system).
Orlando: Orlando has the SunRail commuter train and the Lynx bus system.
Tampa: Tampa has the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) bus system and a trolley service downtown.
Jacksonville: Jacksonville has the Jacksonville Skyway, which is an automated train system that connects different parts of downtown. It also has a bus system called JTA.

Sports in Florida

Kaseya Center in Miami.

Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.

LoanDepot Park in Little Havana, home field of the Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball.

Daytona International Speedway, home to various auto racing events, including the Daytona 500.

Florida is home to many professional sports teams:

Three NFL teams (football)
Two MLB teams (baseball)
Two NBA teams (basketball)
Two NHL teams (ice hockey)
Two MLS teams (soccer)

About half of all Major League Baseball teams come to Florida for spring training. This is called the "Grapefruit League."

Florida is a big center for auto racing. NASCAR is based in Daytona Beach. The racing season starts in Florida at Daytona International Speedway with the Daytona 500. Other big races like the 24 Hours of Daytona also happen here.

Golf is very popular in Florida. The PGA of America and PGA Tour have their headquarters in Florida. Many major golf tournaments are held in the state.

Florida's universities also have strong college sports programs. Famous college football teams include the Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, and Florida Gators.