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All About Florida
Florida is a constituent state of the United States of America. Admitted as the 27th state in 1845, it has an area of 58,664 square miles (151,939 square kilometres). The capital is Tallahassee, located in the northwestern panhandle. The state lies close to both the geographic and the population centres of the landmass of the Western Hemisphere, and its position not only commands one entrance to the Gulf of Mexico but also lies along a strategic crossroads between North and South America and historic routes to the European and Mediterranean worlds. Florida played a prominent role in the struggles of the European powers to control the New World, and it is fitting that St. Augustine, founded in 1565 on its northeastern coast, is the oldest European settlement within what were to become the boundaries of the continental United States.
The geographic location of Florida has been the key factor in a long and colourful development, and it helps explain the striking contemporary character of the state. The greater part of Florida lies on a peninsula that protrudes southeastward from the North American continent, separating the waters of the Atlantic Ocean from those of the Gulf of Mexico and pointing toward Cuba and the Caribbean Sea beyond. Florida shares a border with only two states, Georgia and Alabama, both to the north. The nearest foreign territory is the Bahamian island of Bimini, some 50 miles (80 kilometres) to the east of the state's tip. With the exception of Hawaii, Florida is the southernmost state of the United States, its northernmost point lying 100 miles farther south than California's southern border. The Florida Keys, a crescent of islands that forms the state's southernmost portion, lie within 1,700 miles of the equator.
Florida is a geologically young, low-lying plain, mostly less than 100 feet (30 metres) above sea level. The highest point is in Walton county, a mere 345 feet (105 metres) above sea level. Sedimentary deposits of sand and limestone cover most of the state, with areas of peat and muck marking locations where freshwater bodies once stood. The contemporary topography has been largely molded by running water, waves, ocean currents, winds, changes in sea level, and the wearing away of limestone rocks by solution. These forces have produced enough variation in the state's surface to permit classification into seven basic physiographic regions: the coastal lowlands, the Lake Okeechobee–Everglades basin, the Kissimmee lowlands, the Marianna lowlands, the central highlands, the Tallahassee hills, and the western highlands, though these divisions are scarcely apparent to the naked eye.
The coastal lowlands occupy approximately 75 percent of the surface and vary in width from 10 to 100 miles. Generally, the region is very flat and is often less than 25 feet above sea level. Much of the area is swampy, and in the eastern part of the state numerous former beach ridges parallel one another. Offshore barrier beaches (bars) rim much of the region and account for most of Florida's excellent beaches. The central highlands lie between the Suwannee River, on the eastern side of the Tallahassee hills, and the St. Johns River, which separates the highlands from the eastern coastal lowlands. The region extends southward from the Georgia border to the area of Arcadia and Sebring, a distance of some 400 miles; the width varies from 50 to 75 miles. The region is rolling and dotted with thousands of lakes, and the central and southern portions contain most of Florida's citrus acreage.
Directly or indirectly, Florida's tropical and subtropical climate affects almost every aspect of the local economy, and it can be quite justifiably considered the state's chief resource. Together with land and water - both of which have a rich potential for economic development - climate forms the basis of the state's wealth. The water resources, important to the fishing industry and tourism alike, include not only 4,424 square miles of fresh inland water but also an even larger area of adjacent salt water. In the United States only Alaska has a tidal shoreline whose length exceeds that of Florida, which totals 8,426 miles (Gulf coast, 5,095 miles; Atlantic coast, 3,331 miles). On land, forestry activities are supported by the half of the state (mostly in the north) that is wooded, and livestock raising is supported by the state's large grasslands (mostly in the central and southern areas).
Tourism is the largest income-producing activity in the state and has developed into a year-round business. The Atlantic and Gulf beaches that form the basis of the state's popular ''vacationland'' image are seldom the only destination for the Florida visitor. Other attractions include the large theme parks, professional and collegiate sporting events, golf, hunting and fishing, and an abundance of parkland, including two national parks, two national seashores, a national preserve, five national monuments and memorials, and numerous state parks.
Florida's transportation system is comprehensive, covering the entire state except for certain isolated areas in the Everglades. In general, highway arteries run across the north of the state, from Jacksonville to Pensacola; down the east coast, from Jacksonville to Miami; diagonally across the state, from Jacksonville to Tampa–St. Petersburg on the west coast, bisecting the state from Tampa–St. Petersburg to Daytona Beach; and through the southwestern portion, linking Tampa–St. Petersburg to Miami. The most heavily traveled throughways are the interstate and state turnpike systems that connect all major cities. There are several airports with regularly scheduled flights and numerous private airfields; the international terminals at Tampa, Orlando, and Miami are among the most modern in the world. An extensive rail network provides passenger and freight service to most areas. An integrated system for domestic and foreign shipping is provided by eight major deepwater ports and several lesser ports and harbours, while more than 1,000 miles of navigable channel are maintained by the federal government. Florida has a spaceport, the John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, which occupies 88,000 acres. This is not only a major Florida industry but has also become a prime tourist attraction.
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Florida Lodging News
Resolved Question: best destination in the florida keys?
thinking about the keys for our honeymoon. we're limited to around 100 bucks/night for lodging, and we love outdoor stuff (kayaking, snorkeling, diving, hiking, etc). which key is cheap and has easy access to that kind of thing? one that is more remote/not packed with tourists is preferable. we might even rent a boat and camp if there are islands where that is available. also, we would likely rent a car so we have some mobility. what is the best place, or does such a place even exist?!
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Resolved Question: Any one stay at Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Florida?
My wife & I are going there. Any ideas on where to eat or any must do things around Islamorada?
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Resolved Question: question about a road trip to florida from MI?
ok so me and my 3 friends maybe it might be 4 want to do a road trip from saginaw MI to florida..im not really good at math at all but obviously we will be driving and 3 of us have our drivers license so we might only have to get like on place to stay on the way there..but how much do u think it will cost total gas food..lodging there and what ever else u can think is necessary to get from MI to florida? if anyone could help me out that would be great..
if possible please caulate to which i take a route that passes thru south carolina
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Resolved Question: Disney Fort Wilderness Resort?
In June, my family and I are going to be staying in a cabin at the Fort Wilderness Disney resort in Florida. We've stayed in other Disney resorts before (Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Polynesian), but we've never stayed there before. Is it nice? I read reviews, and most people said it was great. The few that didn't complained about the "swamp" and the travel time. I've done research, and it doesn't seem as if the travel time is all that bad. Also, the "rustic-ness" won't bother us since we spend a lot of time in a little cabin in the forest near our home, and we're not from a city. We live in a town that's surrounded by forest. So a little woods won't bother us. Also, how much room is in the cabins? There will be four of us (me, my parents and my 8 year old sister). Thanks for any answers!
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Resolved Question: Where is the cheapest place to ski near Florida? (Tallahassee)?
Me and my college buddies are craving to go snowboarding since we haven't gone in awhile. Not everyone is able to shell out a lot of money to go to Colorado this year, and we just want something cheap and that will fulfill our craving.
So.... we want the cheapest, closest place to us in Tallahassee Florida.
(cheapest meaning lift tickets and snowboard rentals, no lodging. We are accustomed to camping in sub zero temps). Ideas?
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Resolved Question: The Case of the Orange Bird? (Dr. Haledijian)?
For years Mrs. Sydney, the wealthiest dowager in New York City, had vainly tried to outwit Dr. Haledijian. As the famous criminologist selected a cigar from the tray held by the Sydney butler, a wicked gleam came into his hostess's eye. It was time for playing stump-the-detective...
"John DeMott, Paul Houk, and Lee Roach were partners in a successful New York jewelry business," began Mrs. Sydney. "Last January they flew down to the Florida Keys to spend a month at DeMott's lodge.
"One afternoon DeMott took Houk, an avid fisherman but a nonswimmer, out on his forty-foot cruiser. Roach, whose hobby was bird watching, remained behind.
"Roach says he was sitting behind the lodge when he spied an exotic orange bird, belonnging to a species new to him, fly by. He followed it to the front of the house, and through binoculars watched it building a nest, high in a palm tree.
"Quite by chance, he moved the binoculars out to the water and saw DeMott and Houk struggling on the yacht. Roach says DeMott shoved Houk over-board and held his head under water.
"DeMott claimed that Houk had leaned over the side to gaff a fish, and, losing his balance, fell into the ocean. He drowned before DeMott could reach him.
"The coroner ascribed death to drowning. At the trial, it was simply DeMott's word against Roach's."
:The jury deliberated less than five minutes," concluded Mrs. Sydney. "No doubt, my dear doctor, you won't need so long to realize who was lying."
Haledijian didn't. Do you?
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Resolved Question: what were the instructions for the Virginia Colony, 1606?
i need to know what the exact instructions were in a list .... in english please thank you
here is the instructions taht they have below but i dont really get it!
please only real answer if you dont have anything nice to say dont say it !
Thank you guys sooooo much it means allot to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As we doubt not but you will have especial care to observe the ordinances set down by the King's Majesty and delivered unto you under the Privy Seal; so for your better directions upon your first landing we have thought good to recommend unto your care these instructions and articles following.
When it shall please God to send you on the coast of Virginia, you shall do your best endeavour to find out a safe port in the entrance of some navigable river, making choice of such a one as runneth farthest into the land, and if you happen to discover divers portable rivers, and amongst them any one that hath two main branches, if the difference be not great, make choice of that which bendeth most toward the North-West for that way you shall soonest find the other sea.
When you have made choice of the river on which you mean to settle, be not hasty in landing your victuals and munitions; but first let Captain Newport discover how far that river may be found navigable, that you make election of the strongest, most wholesome and fertile place; for if you make many removes, besides the loss of time, you shall greatly spoil your victuals and your caske, and with great pain transport it in small boats.
But if you choose your place so far up as a bark of fifty tuns will float, then you may lay all your provisions ashore with ease, and the better receive the trade of all the countries about you in the land; and such a place you may perchance find a hundred miles from the river's mouth, and the further up the better. For if you sit down near the entrance, except it be in some island that is strong by nature, an enemy that may approach you on even ground, may easily pull you out; and if he be driven to seek you a hundred miles [in] the land in boats, you shall from both sides of the river where it is narrowest, so beat them with your muskets as they shall never be able to prevail against you.
And to the end that you be not surprired as the French were in Florida by Melindus, and the Spaniard in the same place by the French, you shall do well to make this double provision. First, erect a little stoure at the mouth of the river that may lodge some ten men; with whom you shall leave a light boat, that when any fleet shall be in sight, they may come with speed to give you warning. Secondly, you must in no case suffer any of the native people of the country to inhabit between you and the sea coast; for you cannot carry yourselves so towards them, but they will grow discontented with your habitation, and be ready to guide and assist any nation that shall come to invade you; and if you neglect this, you neglect your safety.
When you have discovered as far up the river as you mean to plant yourselves, and landed your victuals and munitions; to the end that every man may know his charge, you shall do well to divide your six score men into three parts; whereof one party of them you may appoint to fortifie and build, of which your first work must be your storehouse for victuals; the other you may imploy in preparing your ground and sowing your corn and roots; the other ten of these forty you must leave as centinel at the haven1s mouth. The other forty you may imploy for two months in discovery of the river above you, and on the country about you; which charge Captain Newport and Captain Gosnold may undertake of these forty discoverers. When they do espie any high lands or hills, Captain Gosnold may take twenty of the company to cross over the lands, and carrying a half dozen pickaxes to try if they can find any minerals. The other twenty may go on by river, and pitch up boughs upon the bank's side, by which the other boats shall follow them by the same turnings. You may also take with them a wherry, such as is used here in the Thames; by which you may send back to the President for supply of munition or any other want, that you may not be driven to return for every small defect.
You must observe if you can, whether the river on which you plant doth spring out of mountains or out of lakes. If it be out of any lake, the passage to the other sea will be more easy, and [it] is like enough, that out of the same lake you shall find some spring which run[s] the contrary way towards the East India Sea; for the great and famous rivers of Volga, Tan[a]is and Dwina have three heads near joynd; and yet the one falleth into the Caspian Sea, the other into the Euxine Sea, and the third into the Paelonian Sea.
In all your passages you must have great care not to offend the naturals [natives], if you can eschew it; and imploy some few of your company to trade with them forcorn and all other . . . vic
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Resolved Question: Where is the best place to vacation in Florida?
Where is the best place to vacation in Florida for a couple in their early 30's? We won't be taking any kids and we would look forward to relaxation and a bit of socializing and drinking. Any suggestions for fun, interesting places to visit would be appreciated. Also any recommendations for really good lodging that is reasonably priced would be great, too. I know this is a wide open question, but we are open to about anything as far as suggestions for an overall good Florida vacation. Also important to note...we will be driving from Illinois and plan on having the date of May 9-14 available.
Thanks for the stroke of genius, first responder. Perhaps you might READ the actual question before commenting next time.
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Resolved Question: Family vacation to Disneyworld with my family March 20-25.?
I am planning our very first family vacation to orlando, Florida.There will be two adults 2 kids under 10. I would like to stay close to Disneyworld in a least a 4 star resort or hotel. We want to go to at least 3 parks. Has anyone accomplished this on a $1500 budget (lodging, food, and attractions). Please share any tips or advice.
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Resolved Question: Have you ever stayed at a hotel that was nasty? I sure did at a motel 6#@!?
Greetings I got at check in.
We're working on that smell thing.
Because you deserve better than the backseat of some car.
As seen on "COPS"
If We'd Known You Were Staying All Night, We'd Have Changed the Sheets
Not just for nooners anymore.
We left off the 9, but you know it's there.
You rented the room, now buy the video.
Sure, you could stay someplace nicer, but would you have money left over for a hooker?
We'll leave the Lysol for ya!
Hey, we're not the Ritz, but just try bringing your secretary there on *your* salary, pal!
We don't make the adultery. We make the adultery *better*
It's Hookerriffic!
Official Lodging of the 1998 Florida Marlins
Blurring the line between stains and avant garde sheet art since 1962!
Cheap and Easy -- Just Like Your Mother
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