Florida is well-known for its beautiful seashores, sunny, heat climate, and juicy oranges – however there are many fascinating, bizarre, and humorous info concerning the Sunshine State you most likely don’t know. Like, do you know that Tampa has the longest continuous sidewalk on the planet? Or that Opa-Locka was beforehand referred to as Opatishawockalocka? Say that thrice quick!
From wildlife and theme parks to climate and historical past, Florida is packed to the brim with fascinating info. Right here’s every part it’s good to know concerning the Alligator State.
15 Enjoyable Information About Florida
Ever since I moved to Florida over a 12 months in the past, I’ve been in awe of every part I’ve discovered concerning the state. Coming from the West Coast, I actually had no thought how superior Florida actually is – check out what I’ve discovered:
1. Florida is Residence to Over 22 Million Folks
![Map of the USA with pin set on Florida.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Florida-is-home.jpg)
Florida is dwelling to an estimated 22.6 million folks. That’s fairly a quantity! In reality, that statistic makes Florida the third most populous state – coming in after California and Texas, respectively. With roughly 2% progress annually, Florida continues to achieve increasingly recognition.
An effective way to see the scale of this place from a distinct perspective is to view the sprawling skyline of Miami by helicopter with a 30-minute personal helicopter tour.
2. Florida is the Flattest State in the usA
![Family in a golf cart on the street.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Florida-is-the-flattest-state.jpg)
For those who love a difficult hike, you gained’t discover it in Florida. Really, you gained’t actually discover any hills in any respect. Florida is topographically the flattest state within the nation, with a lot of the state at, or barely beneath or above, sea degree.
The flat lands of Florida make it the right place to cruise round on a golf cart. It’s an effective way to get round and discover extra of the realm. Hire one in Tampa.
3. Britton Hill is the Highest Pure Level
![A long road and a signage of Lakewood park surrounded by green field land and trees.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Britton-Hill-1.jpg)
Talking of hikes and hills, the closest factor to an incline you’ll get is Britton Hill. At simply 345 ft elevation, Britton Hill isn’t precisely intimidating. Positioned close to the Florida-Alabama state line, this “mountain peak” has a path that’s lower than a mile lengthy and may be accomplished in about quarter-hour or so.
Because you’ll be close to Destin, whereas right here, I like to recommend you ebook a Dolphin Watch Cruise at sundown.
4. St. Augustine, Florida is the Oldest Metropolis in the usA
![Aerial image of St. Augustine, Florida's old city and lake.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/St.-Augustine-Florida-is-the-oldest-city.jpg)
Many individuals consider the Pilgrims on the Mayflower and different European settlers within the Northeast as the primary U.S. settlements, however that’s incorrect. St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest constantly occupied settlement within the nation – based in 1565, fifty-five years earlier than the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
Take a guided tour of St. Augustine on a hop-on hop-off trolley tour, the place you’ll be taken round to all probably the most well-known and historic spots, and have the prospect to hop on and off at your leisure.
5. Florida has the Most Golf Programs in the usA
![Sun setting on a golf course with the green and pin in view surrounded by trees.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/golf-courses.jpg)
Florida is named a {golfing} mecca, and for good cause – it’s dwelling to the most golf programs out of another state within the United States. You by no means must drive far to seek out the closest golf course when the state has over 1,200 golf programs scattered about. Apart from the occasional thunderstorm throughout the wet months, Florida’s sunny climate makes it excellent for a spherical of 18 holes.
Be sure to make a cease on the World Golf Corridor of Fame simply north of downtown St. Augustine. They show over 4,000 items of golf memorabilia from the 155 legends that make up the members.
6. Florida Produces 70% of the Nation’s Oranges
![Background orange farm ready to harvest.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/countrys-oranges.jpg)
Due to Florida’s implausible climate offering the right stability of solar and rain, it’s the right local weather for rising oranges. Now, all these commercials make sense! The orange grove farmers of Florida develop 70% of the oranges within the United States.
Cease by Florida’s Pure Customer Heart the place you’ll be able to pattern a wide range of tasty and refreshing juices.
7. Panthers are Indigenous
![Florida Panther walking in the field enjoying it's environment and surrounding while exposing it's body, head, ears, eyes, nose, paws and tail.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/panthers.jpg)
You would possibly consider bobcats or mountain lions if you consider “huge cats” in the USA, however, panthers are a local cat to Florida. They’re principally discovered within the southern a part of the state, though they’re typically noticed within the north as nicely.
Look out for wildlife on an exhilarating airboat tour within the Florida Everglades the place you’ll journey by way of 4,200 acres of protected swamps, marshes, and rivers.
8. Florida Held the First Scheduled Passenger Flight
![Allen Ryan and Wilbur Wright in discussion, c. 1909-1912. Ryan was chairman of the Committee for the GREAT AERIAL TOURNAMENT at Belmont Park, in Oct. 1910 (BSLOC_2018_2_156)](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Wright-Brothers.jpg)
After all, the primary flight happened in 1903 with the Wright Brothers, nonetheless, the primary scheduled passenger flight occurred in 1914 in Florida. The brief flight flew from St. Petersburg to Tampa and lasted 23 minutes. It was an thrilling feat as a result of, on the time, the journey would take almost 11 hours by practice.
Study extra about Tampa’s historical past on a cruise tour whereas taking in views of the town’s million-dollar houses, museums, and the well-known Plant Resort.
9. Florida has the Longest Shoreline within the Decrease 48
![Aerial view of the hotels along the coast of South Florida from an altitude of about 1000 feet over the Atlantic during a helicopter photo flight.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Florida-coastline.jpg)
Certain, California has some spectacular seashores, but it surely has nothing on Florida’s majestic coast. Coming in with over 1,500 miles of shoreline, it has almost double the stretch of California. It’s no surprise hundreds of thousands of individuals flock to the fantastic seashores yearly. Hire a motorbike in South Seashore, Miami, and cruise alongside the coast for the day.
10. Suntan Lotion was Invented in Miami
![Sunscreen/suntan lotion. Woman putting sun screen lotion on sexy legs on beautiful beach on summer holidays.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Suntan-lotion.jpg)
It’s no shock with all this discuss of sunshine and seashores that suntan lotion would discover its origins in Florida. A pharmacist in Miami created the primary trendy sunblock throughout World Battle II, later perfecting the formulation, and beginning the well-known Coppertone model.
Placed on some sunblock and go on a shelling and sightseeing boat cruise off Marco Island. It’s an excellent method to spend a day catching some rays and enjoyable.
11. Florida Holds the Document for the World’s Largest Easter Egg Hunt
![Easter egg hunting background. Various candy and chocolate Easter eggs, bunnies, and rabbits with baskets for eggs on the green park or garden background.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Largest-Easter-egg-hunt.jpg)
The Cypress Gardens Journey Park in Winter Haven, Florida, hosted the world’s largest Easter egg hunt on April 1, 2007. The Easter egg hunt broke the Guinness World Document when 9,753 kids looked for 501,000 eggs hidden all through the park. The document is but to be damaged.
Winter Haven is situated close to LEGOLAND – a LEGO-themed journey park with over 50 rides, reveals, and sights.
12. 58 Million Folks go to Disneyworld Each Yr
![Disney castle and a statue at the center and garden.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Disney-World.jpg)
The Walt Disney World resort is without doubt one of the largest the reason why folks go to Florida all year long. This huge attraction is comprised of 4 theme parks, a water park, and numerous accommodations, and over 58 million folks go to the resort each single 12 months, making it one of the vital visited sights on the planet.
Keep cool throughout the scorching summer season months on the Walt Disney World Water Park. They’ve 56 acres of slides, wave swimming pools, rivers, and different sights. A go to right here is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Orlando.
13. Crocodiles and Alligators Dwell Collectively
![Black Crocodile on Green Grass](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Crocodiles.jpg)
Often, you’d by no means discover alligators and crocodiles in the identical habitat within the wild; however not in Florida! The Florida Everglades, within the southern a part of the state, is the one place the place the 2 massive reptiles reside collectively in the identical atmosphere, facet by facet.
Expertise the Everglades on a complete new degree by taking a Night time Airboat Tour. You’ll skim throughout the grassy waters at 40 mph, and hold an out for the shining eyes of alligators and crocodiles.
14. Key West is the Southernmost Metropolis within the Continental U.S.A
![Panoramic sunrise landscape view of the small islands sunset key and Wisteria Island of the island of key West, Florida Keys.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Key-West.jpg)
Though Key West is simply a small island, it’s nonetheless thought of to be part of the continental United States, and it’s as far south as you will get (apart from Hawaii). You may attain Key West by taking a stupendous drive over an astonishing 42 bridges, together with the well-known 7 Mile Bridge which takes ten minutes to drive throughout alone.
Calm down in a sandbar with lunch and limitless drinks on a Key West Sandbar Tour & Kayak Tour.
15. Tampa has the Longest Steady Sidewalk
![Bayshore Boulevard and a road on the other side, as well as a structure in the distance.](https://www.goatsontheroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Bayshore-Boulevard-1.jpg)
Head to Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida, and take a stroll on the world’s longest steady pedestrian walkway. The 4.5-mile-long sidewalk runs alongside the Higher Hillsborough Bay and follows the seawall from Columbus Statue Park to Gandy Boulevard.
If you wish to give your legs a break, try this Guided Metropolis Tour of Tampa in a golf cart and expertise a few of the liveliest neighborhoods in fashion.
FAQs: Information About Florida
Listed here are some solutions to probably the most often requested questions on Florida:
Florida’s nickname is The Sunshine State due to its 237 days of sunshine yearly.
Listed here are 5 historic info about Florida:
– St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest metropolis within the nation
– The primary scheduled passenger flight flew from St. Petersburg to Tampa
– Florida was the third state to affix the Civil Battle
– Spain managed Florida till 1762
– Florida grew to become the twenty seventh state in 1845
Ever because it was formally settled, Florida has at all times been referred to as Florida. It interprets to Land of Flowers.
The commonest identify for males is John and Mary for ladies.
510 years in the past, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed in what he named “Florida.” Some say it’s translated to Land of Flowers.
In Closing
Florida by no means ceases to amaze me, and these enjoyable info are just the start! I appear to be taught one thing new and fascinating almost every single day. It makes me excited to maintain exploring this lovely state, and I at all times encourage my family and friends to do the identical. So, plan your subsequent trip to Florida – you by no means know what you’ll discover out.