Useful Florida facts

Florida has everything you could ever wish for, fabulous weather, attractions for the whole family, Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, fantastic beaches and much more.

Whatever your pleasure is, golfing, Tennis, horse riding, walking, surfing, sailing or snorkeling, you can find it in Florida. It is a great place to take a holiday, live, work, or retire to.

The state boasts more golf courses than any other state in the U.S., a whole range of state parks and some of the finest beaches in the world. They don't call it the 'Sunshine State' for nothing.

Florida was admitted to the United States as a State on March 3, 1845 (27th State)

Capital - Tallahassee

Nickname - Sunshine State

State Flower - Orange Blossom

Number of Counties in Florida - 67

Average Annual Temperatures:

Summer:
80.5 (F) degrees (26.9 C) (North Florida)
82.7 (F) degrees (28.2 C) (South Florida)

Winter:
53.0 (F) degrees (11.7 C) (North Florida)
68.5 (F) degrees (20.3 C) (South Florida)

Florida Taxes - Florida ranks low in terms of the tax burden placed on residents. Based on income, property and other state and local tax collections, the Tax Foundation research organisation ranks Florida among the lowest tax states (Florida ranks #45 among the 50 states in 2004; only five states have a lower tax burden).

State Sales Tax - 6%

Corporate Tax - 5.5%

State Income Tax - None

Florida Geography

Total Area - 58,560 Square Miles

Land Area - 54,252 Square Miles

Total Water Area - 4,308 Square Miles

Length North to South - 447 Miles

Width East to West - 361 Miles

Coastline - 1,197 Statute Miles

Beaches - 663 Miles

Florida has more than 11,000 miles of rivers, streams & waterways

Longest River - St. Johns at 273 miles

Largest Lake - Lake Okeechobee at 700 square miles
(the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the United States)

Florida History

Juan Ponce de Leon discovered Florida in 1513 when he landed in NE Florida, possibly near present-day St. Augustine, to claim Florida for Spain. This is when written records about life in Florida began.

The first permanent European settlement was established in 1565 in St. Augustine by Spain.

Florida became a U.S. Territory in 1821. General Andrew Jackson served as military governor until Congress ratified a territorial constitution.

William P. Duval, Florida's first civil governor, called the first Legislative Council into session in Pensacola on June 19, 1823.

Admitted to U.S. as a State on March 3, 1845 (27th State)