Florida is known for its wild headlines, but there’s so much more to the state than “Florida Man.” My only visit so far was to Disney World and Universal Studios, but I still dream of exploring the beaches, national parks, and sea life that make Florida so unique. Here are some key facts about Florida: Key Facts About Florida Details Population 23,839,600 Area 65,758 sq mi (170,310 sq km) Nickname “The Sunshine State” Highest Natural Point 345 feet (105 meters) Year Founded 1845 Largest Lake Lake Okeechobee, 700 square miles Here are my 12 favorite fun facts about the Sunshine State, Florida! 12 Fun Facts About Florida Florida is the southernmost state in the contiguous U.S. Florida’s beaches stretch over 800 miles along two coastlines Everglades National Park is the only place where alligators and crocodiles coexist The Florida Keys stretch for 120 miles of tropical adventure Florida is home to the only living coral reef in the continental United States Biscayne National Park is 95% underwater The state’s highest natural point is only 345 feet above sea level Cape Canaveral is the heart of space exploration Walt Disney World in Florida is the most visited theme park in the world Florida has the most golf courses in the U.S. Florida is the Sunshine State, but it’s also hurricane central Miami Beach boasts the nation’s largest Art Deco architecture collection 1. Florida is the southernmost state in the contiguous U.S. Florida is the southernmost state in the contiguous United States, bordered by Georgia and Alabama to the north, and surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The only state that reaches further south is Hawaii. 2. Florida’s beaches stretch over 800 miles along two coastlines Florida’s 800 miles of accessible beaches span both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, offering some of the most popular sandy shores in the United States.
3. Everglades National Park is the only place where alligators and crocodiles coexist Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everglades is a vital part of Florida’s three national parks, and the only ecosystem in the world where alligators and crocodiles live side by side. This international biosphere reserve supports a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered Florida panther. The Florida Legislature has played a role in protecting these habitats and ensuring conservation efforts continue. Everglades National Park Headquarters Address: 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034-67312. Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Gulf Coast Visitor Center Address: 815 Oyster Bar Lane, Everglades, FL 34139. Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Florida is a great place to visit if you love snorkeling. 4. The Florida Keys stretch for 120 miles of tropical adventure The Florida Keys run over 120 miles and are divided into five main locations: Key West, the Lower Keys, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo. Key Largo is known as “Diving Capital of the World.” Visitors flock to the Keys for world-class scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing. The Keys are home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater state park in the U.S. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Address: 102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037 Hours: Monday – Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. View Programs in the United States 5. Florida is home to the only living coral reef in the continental United States The Florida Reef off the coast of the Florida Keys is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. It is the fifth-largest coral barrier reef system in the world. 6. Biscayne National Park is 95% underwater Biscayne National Park runs 172,971 acres, with 95% of its area submerged beneath water. The park has coral reefs, mangrove forests, and shipwrecks, alongside evidence of 10,000 years of human history. Visitors can explore its beauty through boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Address: 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL 33033 Hours: Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 9 AM-5 PM 7. The state’s highest natural point is only 345 feet above sea level Britton Hill is 345 feet (105 meters) above sea level, the lowest high point of any state in the United States. Located in the western Panhandle in Paxton, Florida, Britton Hill is in a county park and is named after a retired postmistress. The peak is less than 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and surrounded by farmlands near the Alabama border. Address: 2915 N County Highway 285, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433-1065 Cape Canaveral is the center of space exploration. 8. Cape Canaveral is the heart of space exploration Cape Canaveral is a site on Florida’s east coast, home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and the United States Space Force. It was the launch pad for the Apollo 11 moon landing Visitors can explore the Kennedy Space Center for exhibits, see historic spacecraft and general space stuff. Address: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953 Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM, most of the year and closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day Website: kennedyspacecenter.com 9. Walt Disney World in Florida is the most visited theme park in the world Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is the world’s most-visited theme park, attracting millions of visitors annually. The park, which includes Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, is a major contributor to Florida’s tourism industry. The well-known Universal Orlando Resort is another popular amusement park destination, as is the lesser-known Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, which offers animal encounters as well as theme park rides. Walt Disney World is the most-visited theme park in the world. 10. Florida has the most golf courses in the U.S. Florida has more golf courses than any other state in the U.S., making it a prime destination for golf enthusiasts. The state hosts several major golf tournaments annually, including those in Tampa Bay and Palm Beach County. The top 5 states by number of golf courses, according to Golf365, are as follows: Rank State Number of Golf Courses 1 Florida 1250 2 California 968 3 Texas 861 4 New York 857 5 Michigan 852 11. Florida is the Sunshine State, but it’s also hurricane central Florida has more hurricanes than any other state, thanks to its location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Despite its nickname as the Sunshine State, Florida’s location and coastline make it vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes. Fort Lauderdale on the Atlantic Coast often bears the brunt of these storms. Florida’s hurricane season fuels its famous “hurricane parties,” where residents prepare for storms with community gatherings and local traditions. South Beach is famous for its Art Deco architecture. 12. Miami Beach boasts the nation’s largest Art Deco collection Miami Beach has the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the United States, with over 800 buildings constructed between the 1920s and 1940s. The Art Deco Historic District is known for its pastel-colored facades and draws millions of visitors annually. The best Art Deco buildings to see, according to Time Out, are: Essex House Hotel The Carlyle The former site of Hoffman’s Cafeteria Building Miami Beach U.S. Post Office The Celino Hotel