Florida

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Florida

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About

Discover Florida

Florida is the southernmost state in the continental United States of America. Known as "The Sunshine State", over a century ago it became a popular winter destination for the well-to-do from colder climates; it has grown to become the second-most visited state in the nation. Tourists have long been drawn to Florida by its white-sand beaches and unique and diverse cities. Since the mid-twentieth century, world-class theme parks and attractions have become a top draw as well. In the 21st century, Florida has become the preferred retirement destination for rich Americans from all over the country. The state's roots in agriculture are still relevant, with oranges being a chief export. Untouched natural landscapes teeming with wildlife exist in vast areas, sometimes very close to cities, and there are miles of rivers and trails for the intrepid visitor. Some of Florida's best secrets are charming small towns and other places in secluded locations, away from the crowded tourist areas but certainly worth seeing.

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What to Experience in Florida

Visit Florida's world class theme parks and water parks.

I took this picture when I went to Ultra Music Festival, Miami in 2019

Explore some of the more than 150 Florida State Parks. The only three

Drone view of the coastline

Strawberries are another popular fruit in Florida. Plant City, off I

After a long week of working, party-ing, coming home at 8 AM to go to meetings at 9.30 AM I had one morning before my flight to go out and shoot. Half awake with the ‘amazing’ taste of last nights’ vodka in my mouth I went out took a few shots and couldn’t even continue after 30 minutes because I was so exhausted. So I went to the beach, sat down and just enjoyed the last few hours in Miami. On my way back to the hotel, I turned around one more time to get a good shot in and took this picture. For me, this picture is pure perfection. Relaxation with a bit of adventure!

For more downtown Jacksonville drone photography, contact at create@lanceasper.com! Asper Productions

I was traveling to the bahamas and wanted to get this awesome shot as I left from Miami!

a street lined with palm trees and parked cars

Cuisine

Taste of Florida...

Florida's cuisine is a mix of many influences and its styles vary across the state from North to South. North Florida has a more Southern style; South Florida a more Caribbean one. There specifically, early Spanish and African cuisines have been given a new spin with the impact of Cuban and other Caribbean cultures, as well as from "snowbirds" escaping the Northern U.S. winters. Being on a peninsula, Florida's chefs have always had access to fresh seafood, and the long growing season provides fresh native vegetables almost year round. Florida bans indoor smoking in restaurants, but it is allowed outdoors unless the establishment prohibits it. Alcoholic beverages abound throughout the state. However, five rural counties in the northern third of the state are "dry counties", and no alcohol is sold in them. Stand-alone liquor stores are often built into strip malls, supermarkets, and pharmacies, and most grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores sell beer and wine. Bars and clubs are popular throughout the state, with Miami Beach being well-known for a variety of themed and upscale bars with innovative mixed drinks. Unique bars and clubs can also be found in downtown Orlando and the nearby tourist areas closer to the theme parks and resorts of Disney and Universal. No visit to Florida is complete without a cup of their famous orange juice. Like every other U.S. state, the purchase and possession age for alcohol is 21 and it's fairly well enforced.

Heritage

Culture & Religion

Culture

Florida is geographically the southernmost of the contiguous United States, and it is a unique blend of societies. The Florida Panhandle, much of North Florida, rural areas of Central Florida, and the Florida Heartland remain part of the cultural region of the South, where you will find traditional southern cooking, entertainment, dialect, and lifestyles, much as you would expect in states like Georgia or Alabama. Generally, the further south you go in the state, the more unlike the South it seems, and although Southern culture can be found in every region of the state, it is not always prevalent. Cities such as Tampa and Orlando offer the feel of the South, alongside many other cultures. There are a lot of Southerners in these areas, but also many people who are from other areas like the Midwest or the Northeast. Miami, on the other hand, is unique in that it feels like a cross between an American metropolis and a major Latin American city (like Rio or São Paulo).

History

A Rich Past

Explore the historical roots that shaped Florida into what it is today.

Florida was inhabited by Native Americans for over 13,000 years before the arrival of European explorers, colonists and slavers. It is estimated that there were some 350,000 inhabitants, of many tribes, when the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León arrived in 1513 in search of, according to legend, the Fountain of Youth. The first European settlement dates back to the 1560s with St. Augustine, established in 1565, holding the distinction of being the oldest permanent European settlement in what is now the United States. However, this early settlement did not lead to the same level of rapid colonization that took place in the British colonies to the north, as the climate made large-scale settlement, especially inland, difficult for Europeans who were used to milder climates. Attempted settlements by Europeans, such as the New Smyrna Beach colony owned by a British man who employed former inhabitants of the Balearic Islands, were not always successful as challenges of climate and disease took their toll on the residents, who themselves ultimately moved to St. Augustine. From this time onward the state would not see large-scale economic and population expansion until Florida's statehood in the 19th century, when agriculture — including notably orange trees — and later tourism would achieve important roles in the state's economy. Along with the climate challenges, battles and competing claims for the region posed a challenge to the region's settlers....

Weather

Climate

Florida is known around the world for warm and sunny weather and this has led to the state being a major tourist destination. Florida has the mildest winters on the US mainland, and retirees and temporary residents known as "snowbirds", flock to the state in the cold season. Coastal areas experience gentle breezes during the summer, and the beach is usually the coolest place to be. While those coastal breezes are a welcome relief from the scorching temperatures, they are also the cause of a well-known Florida weather feature: thunderstorms. While the storms are often brief, they are common, and anyone visiting Florida during the rainy season (mid-June to September) should plan a few indoor activities in the afternoons as a backup. Florida's thunderstorms occur every day during the rainy season and typically form 20-30mi (32-48km) inland and either move toward the center of the state or toward the coast.

Plan Your Trip

Essential Information

Getting There

Multiple Options

Other large airports can be found in Pensacola, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Saint Petersburg/Clearwater, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Key West, Gainesville, Melbourne, and Sanford. There are many more airports throughout Florida that may get you closer to your destination; watch for these smaller airports while researching your destination. Three Interstate highways connect Florida with adjacent states: Additional major highways entering Florida include: Many bus companies operate services to Florida from neighboring states and from the major airports in the states. Service is most frequent along the interstates from large cities in neighboring states. See By bus under Get around for a list of bus companies serving the state. Florida is possibly the largest state for cruise ship vacations in the United States. Cape Canaveral, Tampa, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale are all popular starting ports, with cruises heading throughout the Caribbean....

Regions

Explore Areas

Below is a selection of some of Florida's most notable cities. Other cities can be found under their specific regions. There are also articles on aspects of the state's history: Spanish Florida and Se…...

Travel Tips

Getting Around & Staying

Getting Around

Traveling by car is the most common and most convenient way to get around the state for travelers and locals alike. For the traveler car rental agencies are abound in Florida and many are available at every major airport. Orlando, in particular, is known as the "Car Rental Capital of the World". With Florida being the most visited state in the US, car rental rates here are among (if not the) lowest rates in the country due to sheer volume. Flying may be a more reasonable option for crossing large expanses of the state especially between South Florida (Miami and Ft Lauderdale) and the Panhandle (Pensacola and Tallahassee) while others will be relatively short (Ft Lauderdale to Orlando). Atlantic Airlines, American Airlines/American Eagle, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit offer intrastate flights between cities in Florida. The bus is not the most glamorous way to get around the state, but it can be the cheapest.

Money & Budget

Florida is increasingly becoming a major destination for shopping. The Orlando and Miami areas are home to a plethora of shopping malls, including many outlet malls home to shops selling brand-name products for discounted prices. There are also a large number of stores selling souvenirs, although most are not locally produced. The Kissimmee area near Orlando, especially, has a much larger number of retail stores than is typical of U.S. cities. While traditionally these shops catered largely to American families on vacation, most now serve foreign shoppers who flock to these malls to buy products significantly cheaper than at home. It's not uncommon at some shopping malls in Orlando to encounter tourists from around the globe, especially on weekdays when most Americans are working.

Communication

Language & Talk

English is the official language of the state. However, Spanish is the native language of approximately 20% of Florida residents, and the further south you go, the more Spanish speakers there will be. In some parts of South Florida, Spanish is the preferred language in everyday activities. Miami is most notable, where nearly 80% of residents do not speak English as their native language and 30% do not speak any English at all. Tampa also has a sizable Spanish-speaking population, and neighborhoods where it is almost exclusively spoken. Like anywhere where there is a large presence of another language, expect Spanish words or expressions used or calqued into everyday English.

Stay Safe

Safety Information

Safety Overview

Dialing 911 at any telephone will reach the emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc.). Any phone connected to a U.S. network, regardless of whether or not it has a paid account, must be able to dial 911 if it is connected to the network, and such calls are always free. Florida has varying crime intensity from city to city. In certain areas of the large cities it may not be safe to walk alone or even in small groups at night, although these are the exceptions and most of Florida is safe for visitors. Tourist areas rarely have violent crimes, but theft is an occasional occurrence. If the area doesn't feel safe, then it probably isn't. Clip joint operators who trick visitors into paying large amounts of money for low-quality services may use local police to shake down voyagers under a Florida law that requires bar and restaurant patrons pay a disputed bill first and take it up later with their credit card company.

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