Last updated on May 2nd, 2023
57. Castillo de San Marcos (a symbol of former Spanish power, a national monument now), built in 1672-95 in St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest masonry fort standing in the United States.[15]
58. The world’s first scheduled passenger airline service operated between St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida. The first flight on this route took place on January 1, 1914. The flight’s pilot was Tony Jannus and the first paying passenger was Abram C. Pheil, former mayor of St. Petersburg. The 21-mile (34-kilometer) flight across the bay to Tampa took 23 minutes.[8,24]
59. Located near Tallahassee, Florida, the Wakulla Springs is the world’s largest and deepest freshwater spring.[9]
60. Florida has more golf courses than any other U.S. state. The number exceeds 1,250.[7]
61. Cape Coral hosts a mind-boggling number of burrowing owls, which are known for their tiny frames. It comes as no surprise that locals host the Burrowing Owl Festival every year to celebrate the species.
62. Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg, FL, is a stunning set of large-scale glass artworks and installations created by Dale Chihuly. The collection includes several massive chandeliers that resemble giant crystalline tube worms. Some of the outstanding works include electric Tumbleweeds suspended from the roof in a building designed to host the Chihuly’s world-class collection.
63. Port Saint Lucie is undoubtedly a Halloween wonderland that never fails to captivate the imagination. It hosts countless haunted venues that will keep visitors intrigued. The city compares favorably with top venues in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.
64. If you love baseball, you might want to drop by Port St. Lucie. This city is famous for being everyone’s favorite, The Met’s training grounds. If you’re in town between February and March, you may see the Mets in all their glory practicing there. Are you planning to go down there in the summer? Don’t worry, The Mets may not be around, but you still can catch minor baseball games at Tradition Field.
65. There is only one state embassy in Washington and that is Florida House.[10]
66. Rip currents kill more people in Florida during an average year than hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning combined.[11]
67. Florida has more toll roads and bridges than any other state in the Union.[12]
68. St Johns River, Florida’s largest river is one of only a few major rivers that flow from south to north.[12]
69. Florida has the world’s largest occupied wooden structure – The Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa.[12]
70. Jacksonville, Florida is the largest city in the conterminous United States. It is also the most populous municipality in the state. Anaconda, Montana is the second largest city in the contiguous United States.[23]
71. Mechanical refrigeration was invented in Florida in 1851 by Dr. John Gorrie.[12]
72. In Florida, it is illegal to confine a pregnant pig to a cage.[13]
73. According to a law in Florida, it is mandatory for all doors to open outward in public buildings.[13]
74. In 2018, Florida was home to 52 billionaires.
Florida – Quick facts and State symbols
| State Abbreviation | FL |
|---|---|
| State Capital | Tallahassee |
| Largest city | Jacksonville |
| State Size | Total (Land + Water): 65,755 sq miles; Land Only: 53,927 sq miles |
| Population | 22,610,726 (Estimate July 1, 2023 from United States Census Bureau) |
| Statehood | March 3, 1845 |
| State rank by population | 3rd |
| State rank by date of formation | 27th |
| State rank by area | 22nd |
| Number of Counties | 67 Complete list of 50 states and number of counties in each |
| Demonym | Floridian, Floridan |
| Bordering States | Alabama, Georgia |
| Official Language | English |
| Highest Point | Britton Hill 345 ft (105 m) |
| Lowest point | Atlantic Ocean Sea level |
| Mean elevation | 100 feet above sea level |
| Length | 447 miles (721 km) |
| Width | 361 miles (582 km) |
| National Parks | Biscayne National Park Dry Tortugas National Park Everglades National Park |
| Governor | Ron DeSantis (R) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Jeanette Nuñez (R) |
| Electoral Votes | 29 |
| State Motto | In God We Trust |
| State Nickname | Sunshine State Everglade State Orange State |
| % Water | 17.9 |
| Nobel Prize Winners | George F. Smoot (Physics, 2006) |
| Famous People | Derrick Brooks (Linebacker. Inducted in 2014), Tim Raines (Left Fielder. Inducted in 2017), Mitch Richmond (Guard. Inducted in 2014), William H. Macy (Actor) |
| Festival | "Calle Ocho-Open House 8" |
| Song | "Old Folks at Home" |
| Anthem | "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)" |
| State Fresh Water Fish | Florida largemouth bass |
| State Gem | Moonstone |
| State Flower | Orange blossom |
| State Bird | Mockingbird |
| State Marine Mammal | Florida manatee |
| State Salt Water Mammal | Porpoise (dolphin) |
| State Tree | Sabal palm |
| State Wildflower | State Wildflower |
| State Horse | Florida Cracker Horse |
| State Butterfly | Zebra longwing |
| State Reptile | American alligator |
| Reptile (salt water) | Loggerhead sea turtle |
| State Shell | Horse conch |
| Stone | Agatized coral |
| Longitude | 80° 02' W to 87° 38' W |
| Latitude | 24° 27' N to 31° 00' N |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone, Central Time Zone |
| Website | myflorida.com |
| Area Codes | 239, 305, 321, 352, 386, 407, 561, 689, 727, 754, 772, 786, 813, 850, 863, 904, 927, 941, 954 |
| Last updated | December 21, 2023 |