10 Interesting Facts about Florida

Florida is the Sunshine State because it receives an average of 230 days of sunshine annually.

The state’s official nickname is The Alligator State due to its large population of alligators.

Florida is home to the world’s largest collection of Art Deco architecture in Miami’s South Beach district.

Key West, located in Florida, is the southernmost point in the continental United States.

The state boasts the highest average temperature in the United States.

Florida produces more than 70% of the United States’ oranges.

The longest coastline in the contiguous United States can be found in Florida.

The iconic Walt Disney World Resort, which opened in 1971, is located in Florida.

Gatorade was created in Florida by a team of researchers at the University of Florida to help the school’s football team stay hydrated on the field.

Florida is home to the only living coral barrier reef in the United States, known as the Florida Reef Tract.

The Florida Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.

The state is known for its many natural springs, with over 700 freshwater springs scattered throughout.

The renowned Kennedy Space Center, where many historic space missions were launched, is located in Florida.

Florida is the flattest state in the United States, with its highest natural point only reaching 345 feet above sea level.

The state has more golf courses than any other state in the United States.

10 Interesting Facts about Florida part 2

The largest collection of Salvador Dali’s works outside of Europe can be found in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Florida has the largest population of seniors (65 and older) in the United States.

The Florida Keys are home to the only living coral barrier reef in North America.

Florida has the highest number of manatees in the United States.

Florida is the lightning capital of the United States, with more lightning strikes per year than any other state.

The iconic Miami Beach is man-made and was built from sand and sediment pumped in from the ocean floor.

The oldest established city in the United States, St. Augustine, is located in Florida.

The state flower of Florida is the orange blossom.

Florida is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with wild dolphins.

The Florida Aquarium in Tampa is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals.

Florida has a higher number of shark attacks than any other state in the United States.

The Florida State Fair, held annually in Tampa, is one of the largest state fairs in the country.

Florida has one of the largest populations of Cuban-Americans in the United States, particularly in Miami.

The state has the largest number of natural springs in the world.

The Florida Keys Overseas Highway, also known as US Route 1, is one of the most scenic drives in the United States.

Florida has more than 1,000 golf courses.

Key lime pie originated in Florida and is a staple dessert in the state.

Miami’s Art Deco Historic District has the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world.

Florida is the only state in the continental United States to have two national parks: Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park.

The Florida State University Marching Chiefs is one of the largest and oldest collegiate marching bands in the United States.

Florida is home to more than 1,000 miles of coastline.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is home to the only underwater spring theater in the world.

The Florida Museum of Natural History houses one of the largest collections of shark teeth in the world.

Florida is the only state in the United States where crocodiles and alligators coexist in the wild.

The state is known for its diverse wildlife, including the Florida panther, American alligator, and West Indian manatee.

Florida’s official state reptile is the American alligator.

The annual Florida Strawberry Festival is one of the largest strawberry festivals in the United States.

The oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the continental United States, Pensacola, is located in Florida.

The state’s official beverage is orange juice.

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