Florida (FL) is located in the southeastern part of the USA and is known for its tourist attractions and beautiful beaches. Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in Florida, with agriculture and health services also important. The capital of Florida is Tallahassee, but the most famous is Miami. The most famous attractions in Florida include the Kennedy Space Center, Everglades National Park and Disney World theme park.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Florida Abbreviation FL Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville (Population: 985 843) Current time 6:12 Time zone EST (UTC-5) is in effect in most of the state, CST (UTC-6) is in effect in the headwaters west of the Apalachicola River. The state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) and CDT (UTC-5) Population 21,538,216 (#3 most populous US state) Area 65,757 mi² (#22 largest US state) Admitted to the Union March 3, 1845 (#27 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Florida
The capital of the state of Florida is Tallahassee, a name derived from the Muskogee Indian language meaning “old town” or “old field”. Tallahassee was founded in 1824 and immediately became the capital of the Territory of Florida, retaining its role after the state’s admission to the Union on March 3, 1845.
🏙️ Largest City in Florida
The largest city in Florida is Jacksonville, with a population of 985,843 in 2023. The second largest city is Miami with 455,924 residents and the third largest city is Tampa with 403,364 people.
🕒 Time in Florida
The current time in Miami, Florida is 6:12. Most of the state observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5), with a switch to Daylight Saving Time (UTC-4) from March to November. Only a spur in the northwest of the state west of the Apalachicola River uses Central Standard Time (UTC-6) and falls in the CDT (UTC-5) zone during the summer.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Florida
In 2023, Florida had a population of 21,538,216, making it the 3rd most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Florida
The total area of Florida is 65,757 mi², of which 53,624 mi² is land and 12,133 mi² is water. Florida is the 22nd largest US state.
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Fun Facts About Florida
🧩 Florida Neighboring States
Florida borders two US states, Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the northeast. In addition, it has a very long coastline with the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
📅 Date of Florida Statehood
Florida joined the Union on March 3, 1845, as the 27th state in the order formed from the original Territory of Florida. Interestingly, Florida was a slave state until 1865.
📛 Nickname of the State of Florida
Florida is nicknamed “The Sunshine State”, which reflects the fact that there are 240-250 days of sunshine in the state every year.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Florida
The highest point in Florida is with 345 ft Britton Hill, which is significantly lower than some of the skyscrapers in Miami. Florida has the lowest highest peak of any US state.
🏞️ Rivers in Florida
The Chattahoochee River is the longest river in Florida, with the total length of flow in all states 429 mi. It is followed by the St. Johns River (311 mi), the Suwannee River (246 mi), the Ochlockonee River (206 mi), and the Alapaha River (202 mi).
🎓 Universities in Florida
The largest university is the University of Central Florida, which was founded in 1963 in Orlando and is attended by approximately 68,000 students. In second place is Florida International University with approximately 56 thousand students and the third most attended is the University of Florida with 55 thousand students.
✉️ Florida ZIP Codes
Florida has dedicated ZIP code ranges of 320xx-339xx, 341xx, 342xx, 344xx, 346xx, 347xx and 349xx. For an overview map of the areas, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA You can look up the ZIP code for any address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Florida
The best time to visit Florida is in the spring or fall, when temperatures tend to be pleasant, humidity is lower, and the risk of hurricanes is lower. Compared to summer, there are fewer people on the beaches or in the national parks, and you can avoid tropical summer temperatures.
Spring in Florida is usually pleasant, with temperatures around 68°F in the north and around 77°F in the south of the state. Rain showers are typically light in the spring, and the first tropical storms do occur, but they tend to be weak and short-lived.
Summers in Florida are humid and very hot, with temperatures in Miami usually ranging between 77°F and 91°F. In June and September, intense rains are very common, accompanied by heavy thunderstorms. The feeling of heat is enhanced by the high humidity. The summer months are a time of dangerous hurricanes, so it pays to keep a close eye on weather forecasts.
Autumn in Florida is marked by gradual cooling, with temperatures in Miami gradually dropping to November’s 68°F to 82°F. Humidity is also gradually decreasing, and the risk of hurricanes in the first half of autumn persists.
Winter in Florida is very mild and dry compared to other US states. Temperatures in the north of Florida are between 59°F and 68°F, while in the warmer south they range from 68°F to 77°F. Rainfall is minimal, snow showers are rare. The winter months tend to be very popular with foreign and domestic tourists, thanks to the pleasant temperatures.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Florida
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Things to Do in Florida
1️⃣ Walt Disney World theme park
Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida is one of the largest and most visited theme parks in the world. In a way, it is a state within a state, the entire complex is made up of several other theme parks. The fun in the park can be enjoyed for several days, families with young children will enjoy it the most.
2️⃣ Kennedy Space Center
Located east of Orlando, Kennedy Space Center was NASA’s primary center for launching space shuttles and rockets until 2011. After the end of NASA’s space program, it was used by SpaceX and other commercial space companies. It offers visitors a completely unique experience when they can tour the launch pad, learn more about NASA’s space programs or meet an astronaut in person. Visitors can participate in space mission simulations as part of interactive exhibits.
3️⃣ Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park in south Florida was designated in 1947 to provide better protection for a unique ecosystem of tropical wetlands. Alligators, Florida cougars and several species of birds live among the mangroves. Visitors can explore Everglades Park from the deck of hovercraft or under their own power from kayaks, and there are also several hiking trails.
4️⃣ Busch Gardens Amusement Park
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay amusement park offers long, fast roller coasters with looping rides and other adrenaline-pumping attractions. The entire park is African-themed and includes a safari area where giraffes, rhinos, lions and other animals live freely. Busch Gardens offers a full day of entertainment for all ages, with older children and teenagers especially enjoying it.
5️⃣ Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas is a national park that defies conventional ideas of what a national park should look like. Located on a relatively remote island, the park is dominated by Fort Jefferson, a large 19th century fort built to protect trade routes in the Gulf of Mexico.
The park’s abundant underwater life and clear water make Dry Tortugas a favorite among scuba divers, accessible only by boat or seaplane.
6️⃣ South Beach
The South Beach neighborhood is located east of Miami and in a way is synonymous with sandy beaches, nightlife and a luxurious lifestyle. Visitors can relax on the white sand, swim in the warm water or have a drink at the beach bar. The South Beach district is characterized by its art deco architectural style, the most famous part being Ocean Drive with its rich nightlife.
7️⃣ Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is located in the southern part of Florida and was designated in 1980 to better protect the local ecosystem of mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses. The park is 95% water, providing good conditions for diving or snorkeling. Cruises on glass-bottomed sightseeing boats are popular, allowing you to discover the underwater world from the comfort of the deck.
8️⃣ Universal Orlando theme park
Universal Orlando theme park, like the better-known Universal Studios Hollywood, focuses on the world of movies and TV series. Orlando’s most popular attractions are based on the Harry Potter, Transformers and Jurassic Park film franchises, often featuring virtual roller coasters. The complex includes a second theme park, Islands of Adventure, which focuses on real roller coasters.
9️⃣ Key West
Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States, and its nice weather and leisurely pace make it a popular tourist destination. In the city, one can visit the home of author Ernest Hemingway or just watch the sunset at Mallory Square. Water sports enthusiasts can dive, snorkel, and sail in Key West.
🔟 Icebar Orlando
For evening entertainment and relaxation for adults, the Icebar Orlando is made of 70 tons of ice. The unique atmosphere is completed by ice lighting and loud music, but the principle of operation is a bit different compared to the usual bars. You have to buy a ticket to the bar, which includes warm clothes and one drink of your choice from the drinks menu.
Soft drinks are available and if you like the bar, you can buy another drink on the spot.
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Largest Cities in Florida
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Florida in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main job is to count the population.
City County Population 1 Jacksonville Duval 985,843 Map of Jacksonville 2 Miami Miami-Dade 455,924 Map of Miami 3 Tampa Hillsborough 403,364 Map of Tampa 4 Orlando Orange 320,742 Map of Orlando 5 St. Petersburg Pinellas 263,553 Map of St. Petersburg 6 Port St. Lucie St. Lucie 245,021 Map of Port St. Lucie 7 Cape Coral Lee 224,455 Map of Cape Coral 8 Hialeah Miami-Dade 221,300 Map of Hialeah 9 Tallahassee Leon 202,221 Map of Tallahassee 10 Fort Lauderdale Broward 184,255 Map of Fort Lauderdale -
Sports Teams in Florida
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
Two teams from Florida play in the NHL, both part of the Atlantic Division within the Eastern Conference.
The older of the two teams is the Tampa Bay Lightning, the club was founded in 1992 and considers its colors to be blue, white and black. It plays its home games at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.
The other is the Florida Panthers, founded in 1993, the club’s colors are red, blue, gold and white. The Panthers play their home games at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
The NFL is an American football league played by three Florida teams.
The Miami Dolphins, who belong to the Eastern Division of the AFC Conference, were the first to play in the 1970 season. They play their home games at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, and recognize cyan, orange, white, and navy blue as their club colors.
The other team in the NFL since the 1976 season is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the South Division in the NFC Conference. The team plays its home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa; the team colors are red, pewter, orange, and black.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were the last team to join the NFL in the 1995 season, and were placed in the South Division of the AFC Conference. The club colors are teal, black, and gold. The Jaguars play their home games at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Two teams from Florida play in the NBA basketball league, both belonging to the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference.
The first team to enter the competition was the Miami Heat in the 1988 season, who play their home games at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The club colors are black, red and yellow.
In the 1989 season, the Orlando Magic joined them, adopting blue, black and silver as their colors. Its home stadium is the Kia Center in Orlando.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
Florida has a double representation in the MLB baseball league.
The Miami Marlins have participated in MLB since the 1993 season, falling in the Eastern Division of the National League. They play their home games at LoanDepot Park in Miami; the club colors are black, blue, red, and slate gray.
TheTampa Bay Rays first participated in the 1998 season; the team plays in the American League Eastern Division. The home stadium is Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, the club colors are navy blue, light blue, yellow and white.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
The MLS soccer league includes two clubs from Florida, both in the Eastern Conference.
Orlando City SC entered the competition in the 2015 season, choosing purple and gold as their club colors. Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando is used for home matches.
The other Florida team is Inter Miami CF, which played its first season in MLS in 2020. Inter’s club colors are pink and black, and it plays its home games at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
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Florida State Symbols
Florida has over thirty different symbols, most of which were adopted by law after 1953. The following are just a few of them.
State Flag of Florida
The flag of Florida has a white background that is accompanied by a red cross and the state seal in the center. The flag was last modified in May 1985 when the Florida seal was altered.
Great Seal of Florida
The Great Seal has been used in its current form since 1985, with its main motif being a coastline with a woman scattering flowers. It is complemented by two palm trees, a steamboat with the sun reflecting on the horizon and the American motto “In God We Trust”.
State Flower
The flower of the orange tree, which always perfumes Central and South Florida during the flowering season, has been chosen as the official symbol of Florida. It was chosen by the Legislature in 1909.
State Tree
The official tree of Florida since 1953 is the Sabal palmetto palm, which is found throughout the state.
State Animal
In 1982, the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi), an endangered species, was chosen as the official state animal.
State Bird
One of the state’s oldest symbols is the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), which was declared the official bird of Florida in 1927.
State Marine Mammal
Since 1975, the official symbols have included the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris), which is commonly found along the state’s coastline.
State Reptile
Since 1987, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has been the official state reptile, which lives, for example, in Everglades National Park.
State Drink
In 1967, orange juice became one of Florida’s official symbols. Oranges are the state’s most valuable agricultural product, with up to 95% of the harvest being industrially processed.
State Gem
Although the moonstone is not found in Florida, the state has recognized it as one of its symbols. This was after members of the Apollo 11 space mission landed on the moon on July 20, 1969. The mission launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center.
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