| |
| Flags of Florida History |
| |
 |
Many Flags have flown over Florida since European explorers first landed herein the early sixteenth century. Among them have been the flags of five nations: France, Spain, Great Britain, The United States andthe Confederate States of America. |
| |
Numerous other unofficial flags have flown on the peninsula at one time or another, but only written descriptions remain of what these flags looked like. |
| |
In 1899, a joint resolution of the Florida Legislature, approved by state voters, made the current State Flag the official banner of Florida |
| |
 |
| |
| General |
| |
Discovered in 1513 by Ponce De Leon who claimed it for Spain while searching for the "fountain of youth." He named it Florida from the Spanish definition for "feast of flowers." |
| |
The first permanent European settlement in Florida was in 1656 by Spain. The settlement was, as is now, St. Augustine. |
| |
Motto: In God We Trust
Nickname: Sunshine State
State Capital: Tallahassee
Most Populated Metropolitan Area: Is Miami-Ft. Lauderdale
Tax: No state income tax.
State Population: Increased by 23.53 percent from 1990-2000.
State Legislature: Consists of 120 house districts, 40 senate districts, and congressional districts.
Annual Visitors: Over 41 million people annually.
Time Zones: Central and Eastern.
|
| |
Longest Distance By Road: 792 miles
(Pensacola to Key West)
Highest Natural Point: 345 feet
Geographic Center: 12 miles north northwest of Brooksville, Hernando County.
Longest River: St. Johns River, 273 miles
(the river flows north)
Largest Lake: Lake Okeechobee, 7000 square miles
Number of Counties: 67
Largest County in Size: Palm Beach County, 2578 square miles
Smallest County: Union County, 245 square miles
State Forests: Over 456,000 acres
|
| |
 |
|
| |
| Official State Symbols |
| |
 |
| |
Bird: Mockingbird
Tree: Sabal Palm
Beverage: Orange juice
Flower: Orange blossom
Play: Cross and Sword, a story of Spanish colonization of our nations 1st city, St. Augustine.
Reptile: Alligator
Stone: Agatized coral
Song: "Old Folks at Home" or (Suwannee River) by Stephen Foster
|
| |
Shell: Horse conch also known as giant band shell.
Freshwater Fish: Florida largemouth bass
Saltwater Fish: Sail fish
Animal: Panther
Saltwater Mammal: Manatee
|
| |
Florida was admitted as the 17th state of the
U.S. on March 3rd, 1845 |
| |
 |
| |
| Geography |
| |
Coastline: 1,800 statute miles
Tidal Shoreline: 8,426 statute miles
Sandy Beaches: 1,350 miles
Total Land Area: 54,136 square miles
Total Water Area: 4,424 square miles
Rank Among States In Total Area: 22nd
Number of Lakes Greater Than 10 Acres: 7,700 (approx.)
Length North and South: 447 miles
(St. Marys River to Key West)
Width East and West: 361 miles (Atlantic Ocean to Perdido River) |
| |
| Trivia |
| |
The U.S. city with the highest of number lightning strikes per capita is Clearwater, Florida.
Key West has the highest average temperature in the United States.
Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators where the drink was first developed.
Orlando attracts more visitors than any other amusement park destination in the U.S.
Venice is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the world. A favorite pastime of visitors and residents is collecting prehistoric shark teeth.
The first graded road built in Florida was Old Kings Road in 1763. It was named for King George of England.
Fort Lauderdale is know as the Venice of America because the city has 185 miles of local waterways. |
| |
| |
| |
Copyright © 2003-2008 Boca Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.
|
