In fact, the state has 4510 islands with an area of 10 acres or larger. You could face a fine and/or jail time. Around 10 million years ago Florida was underwater, and the area was absolutely packed with sharks. Now thats a lot of delicious orange juice! From Key Largo to Key West, The Florida Keys are home to 800 keys. Read more:the Best Places to Visit in Florida. 2. I do attest under penalty of perjury that I am the student that received the citation and the one who will be completing this course, and that all the information I have provided is true. ), It shouldnt come as a surprise that Florida has an abundance of beaches. There's something for every visitor in Florida! The horse would go on to dominate the entire country. It is also the home of the slowest moving river and the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are 5 types of sea turtles in Florida. Florida Pictures and Facts - National Geographic Kids Soak up the Sun on Pristine Beaches: Floridas coastline stretches for over 1,350 miles, providing an abundance of breathtaking beaches. Theres something in the water, some might say, but Florida just seems to have more than its fair share of weirdness in general. Check out these Top 10 Roller Coasters in Florida. rights reserved. The Sunshine State: Florida is famously known as the Sunshine State for its abundant sunshine. 04 Florida's state motto is 'In God We Trust.'. In the middle distance, a sabal palm tree is featured with a steamboat on the water. What about the intricate ecosystem of the Everglades? If you see a sea turtle nest on one of Floridas beaches, you should know that youre obligated to leave it alone. FACT 5. In 1954, segregation of public schools was ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court. The state is only 65,758 square miles(170,310 km2). It is home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, providing an incredible underwater ecosystem teeming with vibrant marine life. Florida also has more tornadoes per area than any of the other states too. 16 Fun & Interesting Facts about Florida that Will Fascinate Your Kids It's the flattest state in the whole of the USA. These days its a popular local pastime to wander the beaches, scanning the ground for some teeth. With 250 days of sun per year, it lives up to its reputation. While it was originally believed to have lit on fire from a strike of lightning, it was found out that a woman had accidentally caught it on fire while smoking. With the fast facts out of the way, let's take a look into something a little more interesting, the facts that really make Florida the state that it is! Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States (the lower 48 states), at approximately 1350 mi (2170 km), and thats not counting the states islands. Poker Quiz Menu Country Facts Facts about USA New York California Facts Texas Facts Florida facts Florida joined the Confederacy after seceding from the Union in 1861. Well, if you want to look smart with some fun facts to share with your friends, tell them that Florida has the lowest highest natural point in America. It is home to world-renowned parks such as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando. Florida was added to the United States in 1845, but there were people living there long before that! Whether youre seeking adventure, relaxation, cultural experiences, or family-friendly fun, Florida has it all. While Florida borders the states of Alabama and Georgia, its biggest borders are with the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Defensive Driving, California Drivers Needless to say, they may have been confused and overtired. 1. Floridas nickname of the Sunshine State is a little ironic at best, if you ask me. It is the sponge capital of the world. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Len first spotted the North American peninsula in 1513. People from Florida are called Floridians or Floridans. These ten fun facts only scratch the surface of what this diverse state has to offer, but they provide a glimpse into the wonders and excitement that await those who venture to the Sunshine State. President Theodore Roosevelt established Pelican Island federal bird reservation in 1903. Floridas state park system has been awarded best in the country 4 years, more than any other state. That honor goes to the Burmese python, an invasive species to the area, which has been known to eat an entire gator or croc in one sitting! The irony here is that prices are still going up, not down! Love Florida? Do you think of oranges when you think of Florida? Its almost the size of San Francisco! One of the best-known facts about Florida state is that it is a top beach destination Florida might be considered a paradise vacation spot thanks to its perfect weather, many things to do, and stunning white sand beaches. Did you know that Florida is home to the only coral barrier reef in the United States? Florida beaches are a must see, like florida keys, palm beach, and key west. We Are Totally Mobile! More than 300 types of native trees grow in the state, from apple and cherry trees in the north to mangrove forests in the swamps. If you love golfing, this is the place to be. Oldest National Wildlife Refuge is in Florida, 16 Fun and Interesting Facts About Alaska, Best Beaches in Florida for Fun in the Sun, 27 of the Best Things to Do in Key West, Florida. From a man going for a beer run with an alligator under his arm to a man threatening to kill his neighbor with kindness, theyve got it all. In fact, Greater Miami is the only metropolitan area in America with two national parks: the pristine Everglades National Park and the picturesque Biscayne National Park. 01 Florida became the 27th state of the U.S. on March 3, 1845. Cape Canaveral, located on Floridas east coast, is home to the Kennedy Space Center, where NASA launches its space missions. Florida is a peninsulathat means its almost completely surrounded by water. Theme Park Capital: Florida is a dream destination for theme park enthusiasts. We mean, who elsecould invent a cooling device which ensures that the food does not go bad, than someone living in Florida? If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor. And here is another fun fact, Walt Disney World Resort is the most visited theme park in the world. One year before Jackie Robinson, the first African American professional baseball player, played his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he played a spring training game in Daytona Beach, Florida. Keep reading for fun facts about Florida's history, geography, climate, and tourist attractions. Love golfing? These tasks include: Comedy Traffic School is by far my favorite option for traffic school. You probably already know that Florida is warm and sunny. Are you interested in learning some fun facts about Florida before your trip? Author Ernest Hemingway chose to live in Key West. But occasionally, we may get things wrong, or information becomes outdated. There's good reason for that! The official abbreviation for Florida is FL. Your ticket number and additional information will be collected later. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The states population kept on growing at a rapid pace, especially following the 50s, when Cuban exiles fled to Florida. Referred to as the Happiest Place on Earth, the Disney World in Florida also attracts some of the largest numbers of their monolithic chain. If youre not keen on catching the sun at the beach or spending your days at amusement parks though, dont fret: Florida also has plenty of other things to do. 3. Florida Facts for School - Facts Just for Parents, Teachers and Students On the economic front, Florida has the fourth-largest economy in the US when compared with all the other states. Florida was a slave state and stayed that way until Abraham Lincoln became president of the United States of America and the Civil War broke out in 1861. In 1538, the first horse was brought to Florida by the Spanish. Florida: Its affectionately known as the sunshine state. And for good reason! Basic course filled with jokes and comics! 85 Fascinating Facts About Florida - Fun World Facts Explore the Florida Keys for a tropical paradise experience or venture to the Panhandle region, where youll discover stunning white sand beaches and crystal-clear emerald waters. Florida produces more than 70% of the nations oranges. The Orlando International Airport is the busiest airport in Florida and the 7th busiest airport in America. Driving, California Traffic Victoria is a native Floridian and writer for OIYS. It became a state in March of 1845 and It's known as The Sunshine State. One of our favorite places to visit in Florida is Islamorada Key, check out this part of the Florida Keys that is definitely surrounded by water. Orange Juice is the official state beverage of Florida, and the state is known nationally (and even in neighboring countries) for its oranges and orange juice. There are over 1,350 miles of coastline in Florida, 663 miles of which are its famously sunny beaches. Are you looking towards theSunshine Statefor your next traveling adventure? Florida has 7,800 lakes larger than 10 acres. If you hop on a yacht in Key West, youll be in Cuba in a short 140 km. Universal Studios has the coveted Wizarding World of Harry Potter and is starting to rival Disney World as one of the best Florida theme parks. People fly into Orlando to enjoy all of the best things to do in and around the city. Thats a lot of tropical islands to explore. That didnt last longnew U.S. settlers began flooding in, and in 1821, Spain gave up Florida to the United States in exchange for Spanish rule over Texas. July is a celebratory month for fans of revolution. Hemingways former residence is now a museum and sanctuary for approximately 40-50 polydactyl cats, descendants of Hemingways original pets. What does that mean? However, not many know that Florida is alsothe largest producer of strawberries. every step of the way. If you do so, you could risk facing a 30-day jail sentence. Get facts and photos about the 27th state. While we usually associate Florida with beaches and theme parks, its also a great destination for anyone who loves nature and wants to experience the wild side of the state. Things invented in Florida include sunscreen, key lime pie, air conditioning, incandescent light bulbs, Famous Amos cookies, and concentrated orange juice. This means that its surrounded by water on three sides. Privacy Policy. Speaking of the Everglades, this national park is located in the greater Miami area. What about the intricate ecosystem of the Everglades? And hey, were here to amend that. You may also be surprised to hear that it has more tornadoes per area than the other states in the country as well!